Weekly Current Affairs February 2024 (27th to 04th March, 2024)

Current Affairs February 2024

Read this post to know about Weekly Current Affairs in short for the Week February 27th to 04th March, 2024. If you’re getting ready for entrance exams in India, it’s really important to know what’s happening around you. Whether you want to study UPSC, SSC, Bank Exams, Defence Exams or something else, keeping up with current events is a must. The exams often have questions about what’s going on in the world – like news about our country, other countries, or new discoveries. Being aware of these things not only helps you do well in the exams but also makes you smarter in general. It’s like having a wider view of the world, which is good for interviews and discussions too. So, it’s not just about passing the exams but also about being informed and ready for whatever comes your way.

In this post, you can see the headlines of current happenings categorised for your convenience. The categories of weekly current affairs of Week 5 of February are given below:

Section A: INDIA
Section B: INDIA & THE WORLD
Section C: WORLD
Section D: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Section E: AWARDS
Section F: BANKING & FINANCE
Section G: ECONOMY
Section H: CORPORATE
Section I: STATES
Section J: SPORTS

Weekly Current Affairs Update

For the Week: February 27 to March 4, 2024

HEADLINES

Section A: INDIA

Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, comes into force
India successfully flight tests VSHORADS missile
Indigenous modular bridge inducted into Indian Army
launches project aimed at anaemia control in girls
Haj Suvidha app launched, Haj guide for 2024 released
EC ropes in banks, post offices to spread voter awareness
to undertake cleaning of six major river basins
Rajya Sabha: NDA strength rises to 121
Former SC judge A M Khanwilkar appointed new Lokpal chairperson
Eldest MP, SP’s Shafiqur Rahman Barq, dies at 93
Jharkhand’s lone Congress MP Geeta Koda joins BJP
Gujarat: Congress Rajya Sabha member joins BJP

Section B: INDIA & THE WORLD

Cargo for Pakistan’s N-programme on ship from China seized in Mumbai
India’s extreme poverty under 3% of population: World Poverty Clock
Fishing vessel with 3,200kg of narcotics seized off Gujarat coast
Foreign tourist arrivals surge by 64% in 2023: Ministry data
Mauritius Cabinet approves amending DTAA with India
Cabinet approves creation of International Big Cat Alliance
India-Malaysia bilateral naval exercise held in AP
PMs of India and Mauritius jointly inaugurate airstrip & jetty at Agalgea Islands
Thailand replaces envoy to WTO after comment on India programme
French Army Chief visits India

Section C: WORLD

WTO MC13 ends
UN troops start pull-out from restive DR Congo
Kenyan police to tackle Haiti gang violence
Nigeria imposes annual levy on expatriate workers
French President hints at sending Western troops to Ukraine
Ghana: Parliament passes stringent anti-LGBTQ law
South Korea, US to stage annual drills
South Korea’s fertility rate remains world’s lowest
Hungary’s parliament ratifies Sweden’s NATO accession
World’s only leap year newspaper released in France
Ship earlier attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels sinks in the Red Sea
Rare Disease Day observed on February 29
World Seagrass Day observed on March 1
Zero Discrimination Day observed on March 1
World Wildlife Day observed on March 3
World Hearing Day observed on March 3
World Birth Defects Day observed on March 3
World Civil Defence day observed on March 1
Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif elected new PM
Guinea junta appoints Mamadou Oury Bah as new PM
Hungary parliament elects new President
Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz becomes 1st woman CM of a province
Palestinian PM resigns
Canada: Former PM Brian Mulroney dies at 84

Section D: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

PM inaugurates space infrastructure projects of ISRO
Four selected Gaganyaan astronauts announced
New spaceport for small satellite launch vehicles to be set up in Tamil Nadu
Iran’s Pars 1 satellite enters space after Russian launch
National Science Day celebrated on February 28
Lancet study shows obesity rates going up across world
Centre announces completion of ‘10,000 genome’ project
ZSI names a newly discovered sea slug after President Murmu
Country’s leopard population increases to 13,874

Section E: AWARDS

India-UK Achievers Honours
20th MMA-Amalgamations Business Leadership Award 2023of India Sports

Section F: BANKING & FINANCE

Share of term deposits in banks’ total deposits up at 60.3% in Dec 2023: RBI
RBI tweaks norms related to Regulatory Sandbox scheme
RBI proposes norms for disclosure of climate-related financial risks for lenders
RBI issues revised norms to streamline bill payments process
PMLA norms: Paytm Payments Bank fined
NCLT approves acquisition of bankrupt Reliance Capital by IndusInd
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launches NUCFDC
GPT Healthcare lists
Shriram Finance to replace UPL in Nifty 50 from March 28
Bandhan becomes new promoter of Aegon Life
SC directs ex-NSE MD to pay Rs 12.5 lakh in penalty
RBI appoints S. Ravindran as TMB’s part-time chairman
PayU names Renu Sud Karnad as chairperson
Vijay Shekhar Sharma resigns as Paytm Payments Bank Chairman

Section G: ECONOMY

Cabinet approves 3 chip units at an investment of ₹1.26-lakh cr
Cabinet approves ₹75,000-crore ‘free electricity’ solar scheme
Foodgrain output estimated at 154 MT in Kharif season FY24
Cabinet clears Rs 24,420 cr subsidy for P&K fertilisers in Kharif season
Indian economy grows 8.4% in Q3FY24; full-year estimate up to 7.6%
Defence Ministry signs five major capital acquisition contracts
Over half of 821mn internet users from rural India: Study
9 cr farmers get ₹21k cr under PM-Kisan scheme
National parties declare income of Rs 3077 cr in 2022-23
India’s position unchanged at 42 on International IP Index 2024
Several products earn GI tag
Indian economy remains resilient, says NCAER report
Bharat Tex 2024 organised in New Delhi
Core growth hits 15-month low of 3.6% in January
Bharat Startup Ecosystem Registry portal launched
GST collection surges 12.5% in February

Section H: CORPORATE

SC serves Patanjali contempt notice for continuing with its misleading ads
Google reinstates some delisted apps including Naukri, 99acres, Shaadi
Star India to merge with Viacom18
Bhavish Aggarwal’s Krutrim launches chatbot
Flipkart launches its own UPI service
Yash Raj Films launches casting app
Pfizer, NIPER join hands to support healthcare start-ups
Samara, Convergent to acquire Agro Tech Foods for ₹650 crore
TVS hikes stake in Killwatt GmbH
Sony Pictures signs deal to renew rights for UEFA Leagues
Swiggy changes company name ahead of IPO
Deloitte’s Global Powers of Luxury Goods rankings 2023
Court orders Meta to cease using name in Brazil
Reliance Foundation unveils Vantara animal rescue & care facility
Akshay Kumar, most-visible star in TV ads in 2023
Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal knighted by Britain’s King Charles
Fashion icon Iris Apfel passes away at 102

Section I: STATES

Rajasthan: Two-child norm for govt jobs gets SC nod
PM lays foundation stone for redevelopment of 21 train stations in Chhattisgarh
PM addresses ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ program
PM visits Begusarai, Bihar
PM visits Aurangabad, Bihar
PM visits Dhanbad, Jharkhand
Country’s first private ammunition manufacture facility opens in Kanpur (UP)
UP govt’s curbs on Hindu worship at Gyanvapi illegal: HC
Himachal Pradesh: Six Congress MLAs disqualified from Assembly by speaker
PM visits Hooghly, West Bengal
PM visits Nadia, West Bengal
PM unveils development projects worth Rs 17,300 cr in Tamil Nadu
PM visits Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Temple Bill passed in Karnataka Assembly again after its defeat in Council
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accepts caste survey report
President approves Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill; withholds assent to 3 university law bills
AP: Pilots were watching cricket on phone when trains crashed on Oct 29
AP CM disburses Rs 1,294 cr under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan scheme
BioAsia 2024 held in Hyderabad
Odisha govt unveils ‘Nabin Odisha Magic Card’ for students
PM inaugurates country’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry
Indian Coast Guard jetty inaugurated at Gujarat’s Vadinar
Ocean Grace tug launched by Cochin Shipyard Limited
Nagaland Assembly adopts resolution against decision to fence India-Myanmar border
Mizoram govt. will not collect biometric data of refugees: CM
Mizoram Assembly adopts resolution against border fence
Centre signs tripartite agreement with Tipra Motha, Tripura govt
1M1B and Meghalaya govt sign MoU to set up Green Skills Academy
Sikkim govt to create fixed deposits of Rs 10,800 in name of newborns
Manipur assembly urges Centre to abrogate SOO pact with all Kuki-Zo militant groups
Manipur launches National e-Vidhan app for paperless legislative activities
GI Certificates handed over to 18 indigenous products of Arunachal Pradesh
PM inaugurates multiple development projects worth ₹4,900 cr in Maharashtra
Maharashtra govt extends subsidy scheme for milk producers by month
Telangana: BRS MP Pothuganti Ramulu joins BJP
Former UP Governor Aziz Qureshi dies at 83
K Shivaram, bureaucrat turned Kannada actor, dies at 70
Singer Pankaj Udhas dies in Mumbai at 72
Journalist Satish Nandgaonkar dies at 53
Vaibhav Gupta wins Indian Idol 14
Manisha Rani clinches ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11’

Section J: SPORTS

World Athletics Indoor Championships held in Glasgow
Ashwin is 1st Indian to take 100 wickets, score 1000 runs against single team
London Marathon offers equal prize money for wheelchair and able-bodied races
Sportikon 2024 organised in Greater Noida
Turkish Women’s Cup football
Max Verstappen wins Bahrain Grand Prix
Puneri Paltan wins Pro Kabaddi League Season 10

Section A: INDIA

Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, comes into force

The new Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, has come into force and the old Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, now stands repealed.

The Centre has notified the new law and the associated rules in its official gazette. Accordingly, the Act is effective from March 1. The registration of newspapers and periodicals has moved online in the Press Sewa Portal, while the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) has been renamed as the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), said the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry on March 2, 2024.

“In tune with the ethos of Digital India, the new Act provides for an online system for facilitating the registration of newspapers and other periodicals in the country. The new system replaces the existing manual, cumbersome processes involving multiple steps and approvals at various stages which were causing unnecessary hardships to the publishers,” it said. Earlier, Union I&B Minister Anurag Singh Thakur had launched the Press Sewa portal, through which various applications as mandated by the new Act can be submitted online.

The new Act removes books and journals from the purview of registration necessitated by the old law. It defines a periodical as “any publication including a newspaper which is published and printed at regular intervals containing public news or comments on public news but does not include a book or a journal of scientific, technical, and academic nature”.

Therefore, “book, or a journal including a book or journal of scientific, technical and academic nature” does not require registration with the PRGI.

India successfully flight tests VSHORADS missile

India has conducted two successful flight tests of a very short-range air defence missile off the coast of Odisha. The tests were carried out on February 28, 2024 and February 29, 2024.

The DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles on February 28 and 29 from a ground-based portable launcher off the coast of Odisha from integrated test range, Chandipur.

The tests were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception scenarios. During all the test flights, the targets were intercepted and destroyed by the missiles, meeting the mission objectives.

VSHORADS is a man-portable air-defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories and Indian industry partners.

The missile incorporates many novel technologies, including a miniaturised reaction control system (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests, the ministry said in a statement.

The missile is propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor and meant for neutralising low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges. The design of the missile including launcher has been highly optimised to ensure easy portability.

Indigenous modular bridge inducted into Indian Army

A 46-metre indigenously designed and manufactured modular bridge was inducted into the Indian Army on February 27, 2024, a move that will bolster the crucial bridging capability of the force’s engineers. The induction ceremony took place at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi in the presence of Army chief General Manoj Pande and senior officials of the Army and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). These bridges have been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by L&T as a DRDO-nominated production agency.

The modular bridge is a mechanically-launched single-span, fully-decked 46-metre assault bridge, enabling the Army to overcome obstacles, such as canals and ditches, with ease. It will augment the crucial bridging capability of the Indian Army’s engineers as these bridges are highly mobile, rugged, and designed for quick deployment and retrieval, aligning with the fast-paced nature of mechanised operations.

The contract for the procurement of the modular bridges was signed with L&T in February 2023.

Each set of the modular bridge consists of “seven carrier vehicles based on 8×8 heavy mobility vehicles and two launcher vehicles based on 10×10 heavy mobility vehicles”, the Army said.

These bridges can be employed over various types of obstacles like canals and ditches with quick launching and retrieval capabilities. The equipment is highly mobile, versatile, rugged and capable of keeping pace with wheeled and tracked mechanised vehicles.

The modular bridges will replace the manually-launched medium girder bridges (MGBs) that are currently being used in the Army. The indigenously designed and manufactured modular bridges shall have many advantages over the MGBs, such as an increased span, less time for construction and mechanical launching with retrieval capability.

Govt. launches project aimed at anaemia control in girls

The Centre launched an initiative on February 23, 2024 to improve nutrition in adolescent girls using Ayurveda.

The project for anaemia control under Mission Utkarsh will be a joint public health initiative by the Ministries of Ayush and Women and Child Development and would be launched in five aspirational districts first as a pilot project.

The two ministries signed an MoU for the scheme. Union Minister for Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani were present at the ceremony.

Under Mission Utkarsh, 15 central ministries or departments will work to elevate districts at the bottom, to State and national averages. This project will cover approximately 10,000 Anganwadi Centres in the five districts.

Ayush systems, backed by evidence from institutions like ICMR, will offer cost-effective solution to tackle anaemia, Union Minister Smriti Irani said.

Haj Suvidha app launched, Haj guide for 2024 released

Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani on March 3, 2024 launched the Haj Suvidha App that would provide necessary information and direct access to important services like training modules, flight details, and accommodation to those embarking on the annual pilgrimage. The app has been developed by BISAG-N. Irani also released the Haj Guide-2024 which has been prepared to make pilgrims aware of various aspects of the pilgrimage with special emphasis on the use of the Haj Suvidha App for the pilgrims. The guide is published in 10 languages.

EC ropes in banks, post offices to spread voter awareness

The Election Commission on February 26, 2024 roped in banks and post offices to spread voter awareness as part of its efforts to increase voting percentage in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The poll panel has often expressed concern over urban and youth apathy with many registered voters not turning up at the polling stations to cast ballot in the previous elections. Over 30 crore of the 91 crore electors did not cast their ballot in the previous parliamentary polls. The EC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two prominent organisations — the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the Department of Posts (DoP) — to amplify its voter outreach and awareness efforts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Voter education messages will also be displayed in the form of posters, flex and hoardings at office premises at major locations, reaching the customers at key touchpoints. All member institutions under the IBA and the DoP will establish ‘voter awareness fora’ to engage the employees and customers in discussions and initiatives related to voter education. The Department of Posts will affix a special cancellation stamp (bearing voter education messages) on the postal articles.

Govt. to undertake cleaning of six major river basins

The government will undertake the work of cleaning six major river basins on the lines of the Ganga and has roped in 12 top technical institutions to conduct a study and formulate a management plan, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said. Following the Ganga River Basin Management Plan framed by a consortium of seven IITs led by IIT Kanpur, the government on February 28, 2024 signed agreements with different technical institutes for preparing the outlines of river basin management plans for the Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Periyar, and the Mahanadi. The agreements were signed between the institutes and the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Mahanadi River Basin Management Plan will be undertaken by IIT Raipur and IIT Rourkela, Narmada by IIT Indore and IIT Gandhinagar, Godavari by IIT Hyderabad and NEERI Nagpur, Cauvery by IISc Bengaluru and NIT Trichy, and the Periyar River Basin Management Plan by IIT Palakkad and NIT Calicut.

NEWSMAKERS

Rajya Sabha: NDA strength rises to 121

Two additional seats for BJP — one each from Himachal Pradesh and UP due to cross-voting — has taken the party’s tally in Rajya Sabha to 97. The NDA, with 117 members, is now only four short of the majority mark of 121. The strength of the upper House currently stand at 240 after factoring in five vacancies (four from J&K and one from the nominated member category).

Forty-one of the 56 members got elected unopposed whereas 15 seats (10 in UP, four in Karnataka and one in HP) went to polls on February 27, 2024. As per final results, BJP won 30 of the 56 seats.

During the biennial polls, the highest 10 seats were at stake in UP followed by six each in Maharashtra and Bihar; five each in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal; four each in Karnataka and Gujarat; three each in Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan; and one each in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Chhattisgarh.

After February 27, 2024’s poll, BJP remains the single-largest party in RS with 97 members (including five nominated members who joined the party). It is followed by Congress with 29 members, Trinamool Congress with 13, DMK and AAP with 10 each, BJD and YSRCP with nine each, BRS with seven, RJD with six, CPM with five, and AIADMK and JD(U) with four each.

Former SC judge A M Khanwilkar appointed new Lokpal chairperson

Former Supreme Court judge A M Khanwilkar was appointed as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal on February 27, 2024, nearly two years after the post fell vacant. The Lokpal has been working without its regular chief after Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose completed his term on May 27, 2022. Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicial member of the Lokpal, is currently the acting chairperson. Justice Khanwilkar retired from the Supreme Court in July 2022.

Retired justices Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi have been appointed as judicial members of the anti-corruption ombudsman. Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey will be non-judicial members.

The chairperson and members of the Lokpal are appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of a Selection Committee having the prime minister as its chairperson. Apart from a chairperson, the Lokpal can have eight members — four judicial and as many non-judicial.

Eldest MP, SP’s Shafiqur Rahman Barq, dies at 93

Senior Samajwadi Party leader and Sambhal MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq passed away at the age of 93 in Moradabad on February 27, 2024. Samajwadi Party had announced Barq as a candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in its first list released on Jan 30. Barq was born on July 11, 1930 in Sambhal and was elected five times as an MP and four times as an MLA. He was the eldest parliamentarian in India and was influential in UP’s Sambhal, Moradabad, Amroha and Bijnor districts.

Jharkhand’s lone Congress MP Geeta Koda joins BJP

Congress’ lone MP from Jharkhand’s Singhbhum, Geeta Koda, wife of former CM Madhu Koda, joined BJP on February 26, 2024.

Gujarat: Congress Rajya Sabha member joins BJP

In a major blow to the Congress in Gujarat ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, its Rajya Sabha member and former Union minister Naran Rathwa joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 27, 2024. The tribal leader from Chhota Udepur in Gujarat, Rathwa’s tenure as the Rajya Sabha member will end in April this year. He was elected to the Lok Sabha five times – first in 1989, then in 1991, 1996, 1998 and 2004.

Section B: INDIA & THE WORLD

Cargo for Pakistan’s N-programme on ship from China seized in Mumbai

Security agencies at Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai intercepted and seized the consignment of a Karachi-bound ship from China after it was found carrying a dual-use consignment with implications for Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, officials said on March 2, 2024.

Customs officials, acting on intelligence, halted the Malta-flagged merchant ship — CMA CGM Attila — en route to Karachi on January 23 and, during its inspection, found that the consignment had a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, manufactured by an Italian company, known for its precision and efficiency controlled by a computer system.

A Defence Research and Development Organisation team examined the consignment and confirmed its potential usage in Pakistan’s nuclear initiatives, notably in manufacturing crucial components for missile development. CNC machines fall under the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international arms control regime aimed at curbing the spread of items with dual civilian and military applications, in which India is an active participant. The CNC machine was used by North Korea in its nuclear programme.

Further investigations showed many discrepancies in the shipping details, indicating potential evasion tactics to conceal the true recipients. This incident follows past seizures of dual-use military-grade items being transhipped from China to Pakistan, raising concerns over illicit procurement activities.

The ongoing probe aims to ascertain if the suspected Pakistani entities receiving these items are linked to Defence Science and Technology Organisation, responsible for Pakistan’s defence research and development.

The port officials, with specific intelligence, had alerted the Indian defence authorities who inspected the heavy cargo and reported their suspicions, after which the consignment was seized, the officials said and added that the seizure falls under the prevention of possible proliferation by Pakistan and China.

According to documents such as bills of loading and other details of the consignment, the consigner was mentioned as “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd” and the consignee as “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot.

India’s extreme poverty under 3% of population: World Poverty Clock

India’s ‘extreme poverty’ is under 3 per cent of its population, latest data on the World Poverty Clock showed. This was disclosed by Shamika Ravi, Member, Prime Minister Economic Advisory Council. The World Poverty Clock provides real-time poverty estimates through 2030 for nearly every country.

Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, the Clock shows the number of people living in extreme poverty worldwide, disaggregated by age, gender and rural/urban location.

Every second, some escape while others fall into poverty and the Clock counts all of them. The Clock has taken $2.15-a-day income to present the finding. Accordingly, nearly 3.44 crore Indians are living in extreme poverty in 2024 against 4.69 crore in 2022. As a share of total population, number of people living in extreme poverty has come down to 2.4 per cent from 3.3 per cent in 2022. This is second big indication on fight against poverty.

Fishing vessel with 3,200kg of narcotics seized off Gujarat coast

In the largest drugs haul on high seas in recent years, joint teams of Navy, Narcotics Control Bureau and Gujarat ATS seized a fishing vessel carrying over 3,200 kg of narcotics and arrested five crew members with suspected Pakistani links off the coast of Gujarat. Home minister Amit Shah said the joint operation was “the biggest offshore seizure of drugs”.

NCB director general S N Pradhan said the cache could be estimated to be worth anything between Rs 1,300-Rs 2,000 crore in the international market. Navy, in turn, said the operation was significant not only in terms of the quantity and cost of seized contraband, but also underlined the collaborative efforts underway among different agencies to disrupt illegal narcotics smuggling routes that emanate from the Makran coast in Pakistan and flow towards various Indian Ocean Region countries.

The breakthrough was a result of months of surveillance under operation codenamed “Sagar Manthan”. NCB received information about an unregistered foreign fishing vessel which didn’t have any automatic identification system installed on it. The tip suggested that the vessel would be coming to Indian waters with large quantity of narcotics. A naval P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft spotted the “suspicious boat” near the international maritime boundary line in the Arabian Sea.

Foreign tourist arrivals surge by 64% in 2023: Ministry data

The inbound tourism sector is experiencing a significant rebound, with foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2023 surging 64 per cent compared with 2022. This translates to 92,36,108 visitors between January and December 2023, compared with 64,37,467 in the same period of the previous year.

However, despite this impressive growth, the sector remains 15.5 per cent below pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s data.

The US emerged as the top source country for inbound tourists in December 2023, accounting for 22.33 per cent of arrivals. Bangladesh followed closely behind with 16.97 per cent, while the UK, Australia, and Canada were the other countries in top five source countries.

Mauritius Cabinet approves amending DTAA with India

Mauritius Government has decided to amend Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India in order to go with OECD’s proposal on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).

“Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of the Republic of India in order to comply with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) minimum standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),” highlights of Cabinet’s decision posted on the website of Mauritius’s Prime Minister office mentioned. The decision was taken on February 23.

Impact on MNCs in India

This represents a significant stride towards harmonizing with global tax norms. The primary aim of this amendment is to forestall opportunities for tax avoidance or minimisation through exploitative tactics. This modification would now elevate the India-Mauritius tax treaty to the status of a covered tax agreement under BEPS MLI (Multilateral Instrument). Multinational corporations with entity structures in India and Mauritius could now possibly see enforcement of more challenging treaty rules on account of implementation of BEPS MLI.

Capital gains tax

Mauritius was initially the preferred channel for foreign portfolio and foreign direct investors due to the tax advantage that accrued to them due to the DTAA. The agreement laid down that capital gains tax had to be paid in the country where the foreign investor was based. Since the rate of capital gains tax in Mauritius was zero, investors from this country into India paid no capital gains tax.

Cabinet approves creation of International Big Cat Alliance

The Union Cabinet February 29, 2024 approved the creation of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to set up a global network to conserve tigers and other big cats. The India-headquartered alliance was conceived as a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries and others to establish a common platform for conservation.

Out of the seven big cats (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and the cheetah), five — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard and cheetah — are found in India.

The Cabinet has cleared a one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore for the IBCA for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had during his speech on Global Tiger Day, 2019 called for an alliance of global leaders to curb poaching in Asia.

The IBCA aims for cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda.

The IBCA would have a multi-pronged approach in broad-basing and establishing linkages in several areas and help in knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, networking, advocacy, finance and resources support.

India-Malaysia bilateral naval exercise held in AP

Exercise ‘Samudra Laksamana’, between the Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy, was held off Visakhapatnam coast from February 28 to March 2, 2024.

PMs of India and Mauritius jointly inaugurate airstrip & jetty at Agalgea Islands

PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth on February 29, 2024 jointly inaugurated the new airstrip of Agaléga Islands in Mauritius. The two leaders also inaugurated six community development projects in the island nation.

NEWSMAKERS

Thailand replaces envoy to WTO after comment on India programme

Thailand replaced its ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Pimchanok Vonkorpon Pitfield following a strong protest lodged by India on her contentious comment on New Delhi’s rice procurement programme. Thailand is a member of the 19-nation Cairns Group, which is pushing for the free flow of agri commodities without any restrictions. India expressed strong disappointment on Pitfield’s remarks during a consultation meeting on February 27, 2024 where she said India’s rice procurement programme at minimum support price (MSP) for the public distribution system was not for people but for capturing the export market.

French Army Chief visits India

General Pierre Schill, Chief of Army Staff of French Army, visited India on February 27-29, 2024. The visit commenced with wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial where the French General paid homage to the fallen heroes of the Indian Armed Forces.

Section C: WORLD

NEWS ROUND UP

WTO MC13 ends

The 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which had begun on February 26, ended at Abu Dhabi on March 2, 2024 without any decision on permanent solution for public stockholding of food, and members’ inability to reach a consensus on fishery subsidies. The WTO agreed to maintain the current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions for two more years, after which it will expire.

Public stockholding and food security

India and 80 other countries have been negotiating a permanent solution for public stockholding (PSH) of food instead of temporary measures. PSH and other measures like subsidies and minimum support prices (MSP) are viewed as trade-distorting domestic measures by the developed world and have been a long-pending mandated issue at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

India has argued that the focus should not be narrowed down to the trade interests of exporting countries only; the real concern is the food security and livelihood of people.

The country emphasised that without a permanent solution to PSH, developing countries’ fight against hunger cannot be won, the Union ministry of commerce and industry had earlier said in a statement.

The PSH policy makes it possible for the government to procure crops like rice and wheat from farmers at MSP, store and distribute these food grains to the poor and is thus essential for India’s food security strategy.

Currently, under global trade norms, a WTO member country’s subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent (for developing countries) and five per cent (for developed countries) of the value of production-based on the reference price of 1986-88.

Fisheries

The agenda for the WTO members was to discuss how to curb harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. India has sought a blanket exemption from subsidy cuts for all its fishers for a ‘transition period’ of 25 years to address their development needs and ensure their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the developed nations want to limit this period to no more than seven years.

UN troops start pull-out from restive DR Congo

The United Nations started the withdrawal of MONUSCO peacekeeping forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo by handing over a first UN base to national police on February 28, 2024.

The DRC demanded the withdrawal despite UN concerns about rampant violence in the east of the country.

Kinshasa considers the UN force to be ineffective in protecting civilians from the armed groups and militias that have plagued the east of the vast country for three decades.

The UN Security Council voted in December to accede to Kinshasa’s demand for a gradual pullout by the MONUSCO mission, which arrived in 1999.

The UN force currently fields around 13,500 soldiers and 2,000 police across the three eastern provinces of Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu.

The “disengagement plan” is due to take place in three phases with completion depending on regular assessments.

The first base to be handed over is at Kamanyola, on the border with Burundi.

Phase one is to see the departure of military peacekeepers from South Kivu by the end of April and civilian staff by June 30.

Before May, the UN force is to leave its 14 bases in the province and hand them over to DRC security forces.

Kenyan police to tackle Haiti gang violence

Around 1,000 Kenyan police officers are set to be deployed to Haiti in a bid to combat raging gang violence. In 2023, Kenya volunteered to lead a multinational security force in the troubled Caribbean nation. Yet in January the High Court blocked the plan, ruling the government did not have the authority to deploy police to other countries without an agreement. It also ruled that the National Security Council lacks the legal authority to send police outside Kenya. On February 29, 2024, Haiti’s PM arrived in the East African state to salvage the plan.

In January, a UN envoy said that gang violence in Haiti had reached “a critical point”, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported last year, more than double the number seen in 2022. While in that month alone, more than 1,100 people were killed, injured or kidnapped.

In a statement on March 1, Kenyan President William Ruto said he and Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry had signed an agreement and discussed the next steps to enable the fast-tracking of the deployment.

Along with the Kenyan officers, the Bahamas has committed 150 personnel. Jamaica and the state of Antigua & Barbuda have said they are willing to help, while the US has pledged $200m to support the deployment.

Nigeria imposes annual levy on expatriate workers

Nigeria has imposed a mandatory annual levy for organisations employing expatriate workers, requiring them to pay $15,000 for a director and $10,000 for other employees. The move is meant to encourage foreign companies to employ more Nigerian workers. Staff of diplomatic missions and government officials are exempt. President Bola Tinubu launched the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) handbook on February 27, 2024. He said that its aim was to balance employment opportunities between Nigerians and expatriates.

There are more than 150,000 expatriates in Nigeria. They mostly work in the oil and gas, construction, telecommunication and hospitality sectors. Nigeria is one of Africa’s biggest oil producers. Its oil and gas exports account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. It already costs companies in Nigeria $2,000 a year to obtain a residency permit for each foreign employee.

The move comes as Nigeria is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, which has led to widespread hardship and anger in recent months.

French President hints at sending Western troops to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron on February 26, 2024 said “nothing should be ruled out” after he was asked about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine in support of the embattled nation’s war against Russia.

Macron, speaking after a meeting of European leaders in Paris to bolster support for Ukraine, stressed that the talks had not resulted in any consensus on putting troops on the ground “in an official, approved and endorsed way”. But he insisted that “anything is possible if it is useful to reach our goal”, which he said was to ensure that “Russia cannot win this war”. French foreign minister Stephane Sejourne, however, on February 27, 2024, clarified Macron’s comments by saying that Paris could send troops to Ukraine for specific needs, but not to fight in the war against Russia.

Macron’s remarks provoked a string of responses from allies. Germany and Poland affirmed on February 27 that they would not be sending troops to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that in Paris the participants had agreed “that there will be no ground troops, no soldiers on Ukrainian soil who are sent there by European states or NATO states”.

Ghana: Parliament passes stringent anti-LGBTQ law

Ghana’s parliament in Accra passed legislation on February 28, 2024 that intensifies a crackdown on the rights of LGBTQ people and those promoting lesbian, gay or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities in the West African country. Gay sex was already punishable by up to three years in prison. The bill now also imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the “wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities”. The bill needs assent from President Nana AkufoAddo to come into force. A coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders sponsored the legislation.

South Korea, US to stage annual drills

South Korea and the United States will begin their annual spring military drills with a focus on heading off North Korea’s potential use of nuclear weapons. The Freedom Shield exercises will be held from March 4 to 14, 2024. These will be the first since North Korea scrapped a 2018 inter-Korean military pact in November.

South Korea’s fertility rate remains world’s lowest

South Korea’s fertility rate, already the world’s lowest, continued its dramatic decline in 2023. The average number of expected babies for a South Korean woman during her reproductive life fell to a record low of 0.72 from 0.78 in 2022, data from Statistics Korea showed on February 28, 2024. That is far below the rate of 2.1 per woman needed for a steady population.

Hungary’s parliament ratifies Sweden’s NATO accession

Hungary’s parliament voted on February 26, 2024 to approve Sweden as 32^nd member of NATO. The measure passed after a vote of 188 for and only 6 against in the 199-member parliament, which is dominated by legislators from the governing Fidesz party of PM Viktor Orban. On February 23, after his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, made a visit to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, Orban declared his country’s approval of NATO membership for Sweden. Finland became the 31^st member of the US-led defence alliance in April 2023 and Sweden is 32^nd. Consensus of all member countries is required for including any country wanting to join NATO.

World’s only leap year newspaper released in France

The world’s only quadrennial, or four-yearly newspaper, hit the kiosks again in France with the release of a new issue of the satirical La Bougie du Sapeur. The singularity of the 20-page tabloid is that it comes out only on 29 February – so once every leap-year. The first edition was in 1980, and this is issue 12. Conceived by a group of friends who “wanted to have a laugh”, La Bougie du Sapeur (The Sapper’s Candle) has a print run of 200,000. It is priced at €4.90, and more than meets its costs.

Ship earlier attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels sinks in the Red Sea

A ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has sunk in the Red Sea after days of taking on water, officials said on March 2, 2024, the first vessel to be fully destroyed as part of their campaign over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Rubymar had been drifting northward after being attacked on Feb. 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Rare Disease Day observed on February 29

The Rare Disease Day was observed on February 29, 2024. Rare diseases, despite their name, are a significant health concern affecting millions worldwide. These diseases are often overlooked in mainstream news due to their low prevalence. Rare Disease Day was first observed in 2008 by EURORDIS and the Council of National Alliances to raise awareness about rare diseases. It falls on the last day of February, but in leap years like 2024, it is observed on February 29th. This day aims to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by rare diseases. The theme for Rare Disease Day 2024 is “Share Your Colours,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support for those with rare diseases.

World Seagrass Day observed on March 1

World Seagrass Day was observed on March 1, 2024 to promote and facilitate actions for the conservation of seagrasses in order to contribute to their health and development. Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic circle. They form extensive underwater meadows, creating complex, highly productive and biologically rich habitats. Covering only 0.1% of the ocean floor, these seagrass meadows provide food and shelter to thousands of species of fish, seahorses, turtles, etc. and sustain some of the world’s largest fisheries. They improve water quality by filtering, cycling and storing nutrients and pollutants, reducing contamination in seafood.

Zero Discrimination Day observed on March 1

The Zero Discrimination Day was observed by the UN on March 1, 2024. The Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change. This year’s theme: ‘To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights’.

World Wildlife Day observed on March 3

The World Wildlife Day was observed on March 3, 2024. UN World Wildlife Day is an annual observance held on March 3rd every year to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and the need to conserve and protect it. This year’s day focuses on digital innovation and emphasizes how digital conservation technologies and services can drive wildlife conservation, sustainable and legal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife coexistence. The 2024 theme, “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”, recognizes the impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities in an increasingly connected world.

World Hearing Day observed on March 3

The World Hearing Day was observed on March 3, 2024 with its theme as: ‘Changing mindsets: let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!’ World Hearing Day 2024 will focus on overcoming the challenges posed by societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets through awareness-raising and information-sharing, targeted at the public and health care providers. The day is observed each year by Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health Organization.

World Birth Defects Day observed on March 3

The World Birth Defects Day was observed on March 3, 2024. Every year, about 3-6% of infants worldwide are born with a serious birth defect. This means that life-altering conditions such as spina bifida and congenital heart defects affect millions of babies and families. The day is observed globally to reduce stigma, increase opportunities for prevention and care, and raise awareness about the impact of birth defects worldwide.

World Civil Defence day observed on March 1

World Civil Defense Day was celebrated on March 1, 2024 with an aim to increase awareness about the importance of civil protection and emergency preparedness at both national and international levels. The day outlines the crucial role played by civil defense in promoting resilience, reducing the impact of disasters, and ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals during crises. The theme of World Civil Defense Day 2024 is “Honor Heroes and Promote Safety Skills.” The theme emphasizes on the crucial aspects of building a resilient and secure community.

NEWSMAKERS

Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif elected new PM

Pakistan’s newly formed parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif on March 3, 2024 as prime minister for a second time. Elections were held on February 8. Sharif returned to the position he held until August 2023 when parliament was dissolved ahead of the elections and a caretaker government took over. Candidates backed by former jailed PM Imran Khan have protested against the result and called for his release. Sharif, 72, is the younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who spearheaded their Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party’s election campaign. Candidates backed by Khan gained the most seats but the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) agreed to form a coalition government.

Guinea junta appoints Mamadou Oury Bah as new PM

Former Guinean opposition leader Mamadou Oury Bah has been appointed prime minister by the country’s military junta, a week after it abruptly dissolved the government. His appointment comes amid growing dissatisfaction with the junta. The trained economist is expected to not only set up a new government to replace the one that was dismissed, but also take steps to alleviate the economic hardships facing millions of Guineans. The swearing-in of the new prime minister was witnessed by interim President Mamady Doumbouya, who led Guinea’s armed forces to overthrow elected President Alpha Condé in September 2021.

Hungary parliament elects new President

Hungary’s parliament in Budapest elected Tamas Sulyok as President following the resignation of his predecessor Katalin Novak, who caused outrage by pardoning a man convicted in a child abuse case. The affair turned into the biggest political crisis for nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban since he returned to power in 2010.

Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz becomes 1^st woman CM of a province

Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz (50), the daughter of three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on February 26, 2024, became the first-ever woman chief minister of a province in Pakistan when she was elected to head the Punjab province. To win the chief minister’s election, a candidate needs to win the backing of the majority, which is 187 members in the House that currently has 327 seats. Maryam was backed by PML-N allies, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), and the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP).

Palestinian PM resigns

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on February 26, 2024 he was resigning to allow the formation of a broad consensus among Palestinians about political arrangements following Israel’s war against the Hamas in Gaza. The move comes amid growing US pressure on President Mahmoud Abbas to shake up the Palestinian Authority as international efforts have intensified to stop the fighting in Gaza and begin work on a political structure to govern the enclave after the war. His resignation must still be accepted by Abbas, who may ask him to stay on as caretaker until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Canada: Former PM Brian Mulroney dies at 84

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who led his country from 1984 to 1993, died at the age of 84 in US on February 29, 2024. In 1983, Mulroney won a parliamentary seat in Nova Scotia, and became the leader of the Conservative Party. He took office as prime minister in 1984. He won re-election in 1988.

Section D: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

PM inaugurates space infrastructure projects of ISRO

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2024 inaugurated 3 major space infrastructure projects of ISRO during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba in Kerala.

The projects inaugurated are– a Trisonic Wind Tunnel at VSSC, a Semi-Cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility at ISRO’s propulsion complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, and the PSLV Integration Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. These three projects have been developed at a cumulative cost of about Rs 1,800 crore.

Indian Space Research Organisation’s VSSC is responsible for the design and development of launch vehicle technology.

The Trisonic Wind Tunnel at VSSC produces controlled uniform airflow over scaled models of rockets and aircraft to evaluate their aerodynamic characteristics and designs. It features a test section size of 1.2 meters and can generate speeds ranging from subsonic to supersonic, up to 4 times the speed of sound (Mach number 4.0).

The Mahendragiri unit is a state-of-the-art facility capable of handling large flows of propellants. It stands 51 meters tall and has a flame deflector depth of 30 meters.

The PSLV Integration Facilities at Sriharikota were developed to increase launch frequency from the First Launch Pad (FLP) and include Integration Building, Service Building, Rail Track, and associated systems.

These inauguration of these facilities mark significant advancements in India’s space exploration capabilities.

Four selected Gaganyaan astronauts announced

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2024 introduced four astronauts-designates for Gaganyaan mission at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram. They are: Group Captain Prashanth Nair, Group Captain Angad Prathap, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. All four astronauts-elect are Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru.

Group Captain Prashanth Nair was born in Kerala in 1976. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla and a recipient of the “Sword of Honour”, an honour given to the best all-round cadet at the Air Force Academy. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in December 1998. Nair is also an alumnus of the United States Staff College.

Group Captain Ajit Krishnan was born in Chennai in 1982 and is also an alumnus of the NDA. He is a recipient of the President’s Gold Medal and the “Sword of Honour” at the Air Force Academy.

Group Captain Angad Pratap was born in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh in 1982. He is also an alumnus of the NDA. Pratap was commissioned in December 2004 in the fighter stream of the IAF.

Wing Commader Shubhanshu Shukla was born in Lucknow in 1985. He is also an alumnus of the NDA and was commissioned in June 2006 into the fighter stream of the IAF.

Gaganyaan

The Gaganyaan mission is a project of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), which envisages a demonstration of its human spaceflight capability. Under the mission, a crew of three members will be sent to a low earth orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission. They will be brought back safely to earth by landing in Indian sea waters. The first flight of the Gaganyaan will be an unmanned test flight. It is expected to be launched at the end of 2024. It will be followed by the manned mission.

New spaceport for small satellite launch vehicles to be set up in Tamil Nadu

A new spaceport for small satellite launch vehicles will come up at Kulasekarapattinam, a coastal hamlet near the temple town of Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district in southern Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, 2024 laid the foundation stone for the ₹950-crore project, which will come up across 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi villages in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks.

The Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota (AP) will launch heavier satellites to predetermined orbits, the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport will launch smaller payloads like nano and microsatellites. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath said it would be built in two years.

The global market for small satellites is projected to grow from $3,215.9 million in 2020 to $13,711.7 million by 2030.

To tap this market, the Centre embarked on establishing a new spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam.

Iran’s Pars 1 satellite enters space after Russian launch

Russia launched into space an Iranian research satellite which will scan Iran’s topography from an orbit of 500 km, Iran’s state media reported on February 29, 2024. The remote Pars 1 research-sensing satellite, launched by a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, weighs 134 kg and is equipped with three cameras. The cosmodrome, which came into service in 2016, is in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East, not far from the Russian border with China and about 1,500 km (930 miles) from the port of Vladivostok.

National Science Day celebrated on February 28

The National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 2024. It is celebrated across India annually on February 28 to honor the discovery of the Raman Effect by physicist Sir CV Raman in 1928. The Raman Effect is the inelastic scattering of light by molecules, a discovery that earned Raman the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, making him the first Asian to receive the prestigious award in any branch of science. The theme for National Science Day 2024 is “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat,” emphasizing the importance of homegrown innovations in India’s scientific progress. This theme seeks to raise awareness about indigenous technologies that can contribute to the country’s development and well-being.

Lancet study shows obesity rates going up across world

Obesity rates among children and adolescents worldwide increased four times from 1990 to 2022, while obesity rates among adults have more than doubled, a new study published in The Lancet has revealed.

The total number of children, adolescents and adults worldwide living with obesity has surpassed one billion. In total, 159 million children and adolescents, and 879 million adults were obese in 2022.

Along with the declining prevalence of people who are underweight since 1990, obesity has become the most common form of malnutrition in most countries, said the paper that analysed global data estimates.

The study was conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization. Over 1,500 researchers in more than 190 countries analysed weight and height measurements of over 220 million people aged five years or older. They reportedly looked at body mass index (BMI) to understand how obesity and underweight have changed worldwide from 1990 to 2022.

As per The Lancet paper, in India, the obesity rate increased from 0.1% in 1990 to 3.1% in 2022 for girls, and 0.1% to 3.9%, for boys. In the prevalence of obesity category for girls and boys, India ranked 174th highest in the world in 2022. Among adults, the change was starker: in women, the obesity rate increased from 1.2% in 1990 to 9.8% in 2022 and in men from 0.5% to 5.4%.

Centre announces completion of ‘10,000 genome’ project

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) on February 27, 2024 officially announced the completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ project — an attempt to create a reference database of whole-genome sequences out of India.

Creating a database that is representative of India’s population diversity is seen as a key step to being able to learn about genetic variants that are unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and therapies.

About 20 institutions across India are involved in the project with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad being the lead institutions coordinating the project.

The Indian population of 1.3 billion consists of over 4,600 population groups, and many of them are endogamous. These factors have contributed to the genetic diversity of the current population. Thus, the Indian population harbours distinct variations and often many disease-causing mutations are amplified within some of these groups.

The main outcomes of such an enterprise would be to gain deeper insight into India’s population diversity, improve diagnostic methods and medical counselling, find genetic predispositions to disease, develop personalised and customisable drugs, improve gene therapy and throw more light on individual susceptibility to infectious disease.

The United Kingdom, China, and the United States are among the countries that have programmes to sequence at least 1,00,000 of their genomes.

ZSI names a newly discovered sea slug after President Murmu

The Kolkata-headquartered Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has named a new marine species of head-shield sea slug with ruby red spot which was discovered from West Bengal and Odisha coast after President of India Droupadi Murmu.

This species belonging to Melanochlamys genus was discovered from Digha of West Bengal coast and Udaipur of Odisha coast. The new species of head-shield sea slug, which is found nowhere else in the world, has been named Melanochlamys droupadi.

Species of the genus Melanochlamys are characterised morphologically by a short, blunt and cylindrical body and a smooth dorsal surface with two dorsal equal or unequal shields, named the anterior cephalic and posterior shield.

Country’s leopard population increases to 13,874

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on February 29, 2024 released the report on Status of Leopards in India. India’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874 presently, up from 12,852 figures in 2018. The highest number of leopards were reported in Madhya Pradesh (3,907) followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070). Unlike tigers, which are largely confined to forest reserves, leopards are far more adaptable and tend to be found in significant numbers, in villages and, sometimes, even in cities. They are also known to prey on cattle and thus be involved in conflict, resulting in higher mortality.

Section E: AWARDS

India-UK Achievers Honours

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and British Indian chef Asma Khan were among the winners of the annual India-UK Achievers Honours in London, which recognises the achievements of Indian students and alumni who have pursued an international programme of study. The initiative, by the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK in partnership with the British Council in India and the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade, was launched in 2023 with the aim of celebrating bilateral educational ties.

The “Class of 2024” made up of high achievers across the arts, sports, entrepreneurship and medicine were honoured following a day-long conference entitled “The Future of Education”.

Akhtar was conferred the Living Legend Award in recognition of her work in furthering an understanding of India on the global stage.

Also recognised in the field of Arts, Culture and Entertainment this year was UK-based chef Asma Khan, behind the women-led Darjeeling Express restaurant in London.

20th MMA-Amalgamations Business Leadership Award 2023

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, received the 20th MMA-Amalgamations Business Leadership Award 2023 in Chennai.

Section F: BANKING & FINANCE

Share of term deposits in banks’ total deposits up at 60.3% in Dec 2023: RBI

The share of term deposits in scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) total deposits increased to 60.3 per cent in December 2023 from 57.2 per cent in March 2023, according to RBI’s quarterly data.

Rising return on term deposits (TDs) is driving the compositional shift in deposits of SCBs, the central bank said.

The weighted average domestic term deposit rate (WADTDR) on fresh and outstanding deposits increased by 246 basis points (bps) and 180 bps, respectively, during May 2022 to December 2023, per RBI’s latest monthly bulletin. Hundred basis points equal a percentage point.

Interest rates on TDs of more than one year duration ranged from 6 per cent to 7.25 per cent as of December-end 2023.The lagged effect of pass through of policy rate increases into deposit and certificates of deposit rates has exerted pressure on banks net interest margins, the bulletin said.

Depositors are making the most of high deposit rates. On an incremental basis, TDs accounted for nearly 97.6 per cent of the total deposits during April-December 2023 and the share of current account and savings account (CASA) deposits went down, RBI’s quarterly Basic Statistical Return (BSR) data for December, 2023 show.

Deposits moved to higher interest rate buckets, withthe share of term deposits with over 7 per cent interest rate risingto 61.4 per cent of the total term deposits in December, 2023 from 54.7 per cent a quarter ago and 33.7 per cent in March 2023, per BSR.

As of December 29, 2023, SCBs total deposits stood at about ₹201-lakh crore. Of this, TDs accounted for 88 per cent and balance was CASA deposits.

RBI tweaks norms related to Regulatory Sandbox scheme

The Reserve Bank on February 28, 2024 tweaked guidelines for Regulatory Sandbox (RS) scheme under which participating entities will have to comply with digital personal data protection norms. Regulatory Sandbox usually refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled/test regulatory environment for which regulators may (or may not) permit certain relaxations for the limited purpose of the testing.

The RBI had issued the ‘Enabling Framework for Regulatory Sandbox’ in August 2019, after wide ranging consultations with stakeholders.

The objective of the RS is to foster responsible innovation in financial services, promote efficiency and bring benefit to consumers.

On February 28, 2024, the RBI placed on its website the updated ‘Enabling Framework for Regulatory Sandbox’.

The timelines of the various stages of the Regulatory Sandbox process have been revised from seven months to nine months.

The updated framework requires sandbox entities to ensure compliance with provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

The target applicants for entry to the RS are fintech companies, including startups, banks, financial institutions, any other company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and partnership firms, partnering with or providing support to financial services businesses.

RBI proposes norms for disclosure of climate-related financial risks for lenders

The Reserve Bank of India has told banks and other lenders to disclose more information about their climate-related financial risks so that stakeholders — from regulators to customers — can understand and assess the risk early.

Climate-related disclosures by regulated entities is an important source of information for different stakeholders — customers, depositors, investors and regulators — to understand relevant risks faced and approach adopted to address such issues.

“It will foster an early assessment of climate-related financial risks and opportunities and also facilitate market discipline,” RBI said in a draft disclosure framework on climate-related financial risks, 2024.

“Given the growing importance of climate-related financial risks, there is a need for regulated entities to disclose more structured information about their climate-related financial risks,” the central bank said.

This is a part of risk management policies and processes adopted by regulated entities to effectively counter the impact of climate-related financial risks.

The lenders already disclose information on material risks. Now, RBI has suggested lenders to disclose the role of management in the governance processes, controls and procedures and whether it is delegated to a specific management-level position.

The disclosure also should include climate resilience of strategy adopted including the business model to climate-related changes, developments and uncertainties.

“The significant areas of uncertainty considered in the assessment of climate resilience and the RE’s capacity to adjust or adapt its strategy and business model to climate change over the short, medium and long term,” RBI said. This shall include the availability of and flexibility in the existing financial resources to respond to the effects identified in the climate scenario analysis for addressing climate-related financial risks as also to take advantage of climate-related opportunities, and the effect of the current and planned investments in climate-related mitigation, adaptation and opportunities for climate resilience.

The lenders shall disclose the information on a standalone basis and not consolidated basis while foreign banks shall make disclosures specific to their operations in India, RBI said.

RBI issues revised norms to streamline bill payments process

The Reserve Bank on February 29, 2024 issued revised norms to streamline the process of bill payments, enable greater participation, and enhance customer protection. The central bank has issued the revised ‘Reserve Bank of India (Bharat Bill Payment System) Directions, 2024’ as it felt there was a need to update the existing regulations in view of significant developments in the payments landscape.

These directions seek to streamline the process of bill payments, enable greater participation, and enhance customer protection among other changes.

These directions will be applicable from April 1, 2024 to banks, NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited and other non-bank payment system participants.

Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) is an integrated bill payment platform which enables payment or collection of bills through multiple channels using various payment modes, like UPI, internet banking, cards, cash, and prepaid payment instruments.

The channels include mobile apps, mobile banking, physical agents, and bank branches.

Bharat Bill Pay Central Unit (BBPCU), the updated regulations said, will set the rules and regulations governing participation criteria and system operations, in addition to the technical standards for participation in the system.

Biller Operating Unit (BOU) will be responsible for onboarding billers to BBPS, and ensuring compliance with due diligence requirements in respect of onboarding of merchants.

The Customer Operating Unit (COU) has been tasked to provide digital or physical interface to their customers, and also ensure that customers have access to all billers onboarded on BBPS.

PMLA norms: Paytm Payments Bank fined

The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.5 crore on Paytm Payments Bank for violation of norms under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

A finance ministry statement said on March 1, 2024 FIU-IND initiated a review of Paytm Payments Bank ‘on receipt of specific information from law enforcement agencies in respect of few entities and their network of businesses engaged in a number of illegal acts, including organising and facilitating online gambling’.

“Further, the money generated from these illegal operations, i.e. proceeds of crime were routed and channelled through bank accounts maintained by these entities with the Paytm Payments Bank,” the statement added.

FIU-IND is an agency, tasked with collecting, analysing, and disseminating financial information and intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. The entity has wide ranging powers, including ability to freeze, seize or attach funds. A Paytm Payments Bank spokesperson said, “The penalty pertains to issues within a business segment that was discontinued two years ago. Following that period, we have enhanced our monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms to the Financial Intelligence Unit.”

Govt has quoted various section of the money laundering rules, including non-maintenance of KYC safeguards. “After considering the written and oral submissions of the Paytm Payments Bank, director, FIU-IND, based on voluminous material available on record, found that charges against Paytm were substantiated,” the finance ministry statement said.

The penalty by govt comes on the back of RBI imposing a Rs 5.4 crore penalty on Paytm Payments Bank for violation of anti-money laundering norms. The concerted action by RBI and govt on the bank under different laws for money laundering is seen as an indication that the central bank and North Block are on same page when it comes to regulation.

NCLT approves acquisition of bankrupt Reliance Capital by IndusInd

The National Company Law Tribunal has approved the Rs 9,650-crore resolution plan submitted by Hinduja Group’s IndusInd International Holdings (promoter of IndusInd Bank) for bankrupt Reliance Capital.

IIHL will bring in upfront Rs 9,650 crore in cash within 90 days of approval of the resolution plan. This will give the company control of Reliance Capital, which has functioning subsidiaries in life and general insurance, as well as entities in securities broking and wealth management.

Of the Rs 9,650 crore IndusInd Holdings will bring, secured financial creditors who voted in favour of the resolution plan will receive Rs 9,247 crore — 43% of their admitted claims of Rs 22,122 crore.

Of the remaining amount, unsecured financial creditors will receive around 4% of their claims, while operational creditors will receive nearly 4.4% of their claims. Most of Reliance Capital’s creditors are investors in the company’s bonds. They include LIC and EPFO.

The Hinduja Group will have to file an application with Irdai for a change in ownership of Reliance General Insurance and Reliance Nippon Life Insurance. They have already applied for a change in ownership of Reliance Securities, Reliance Wealth Management, and Reliance Capital.

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launches NUCFDC

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on March 2, 2024 launched the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) and asked the umbrella body to set up one urban cooperative bank in each town. NUCFDC has received the RBI approval to function as a non-banking finance company and a self-regulatory organisation for the urban cooperative banking sector. Shah mentioned that the Vishwanathan Committee report emphasised the need of an umbrella body for urban cooperative banks. Shah also gave away certificates to five major share contributors in NUCFDC, including NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation), Saraswat Cooperative Bank, and SVC Cooperative Bank Ltd.

GPT Healthcare lists

Shares of GPT Healthcare Ltd, which operates and manages mid-sized multi-specialty hospitals under the ILS Hospitals brand, ended with a premium of nearly 8 per cent at ₹200.75 on the BSE on February 29, 2024 against the issue price of ₹186. The stock made its debut at ₹216.15, up 16.20 per cent on the BSE. The initial share sale of GPT Healthcare was subscribed 8.52 times on the final day of the offer on February 26, 2024. The price range for the offer was ₹177-186. GPT Healthcare, founded by Dwarika Prasad Tantia, Om Tantia, and Shree Gopal Tantia, started with an eight-bed hospital in Kolkata in 2000. The company operates four full-service multi-specialty hospitals, with a total capacity of 561 beds.

Shriram Finance to replace UPL in Nifty 50 from March 28

Shriram Finance will replace UPL Ltd in the Nifty 50 index effective March 28. UPL has been removed from Nifty 50 pursuant to its exclusion from Nifty 100 index, a parent index for Nifty 50. Shriram Finance has been included in Nifty 50 index as it has the highest six month average free-float market capitalisation within eligible universe as a replacement to UPL. This was disclosed by the NSE in a release on February 28, 2024.

Bandhan becomes new promoter of Aegon Life

Bandhan Financial Holdings has acquired the stakes of Aegon India Holding and Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) in Aegon Life Insurance — making it the new promoter. The management team and staff of Aegon Life will remain unchanged. BCCL is the publisher of TOI. Bandhan Financial Holdings’s acquisition marks the group’s entry into the Indian life insurance sector, complementing its existing presence in banking and mutual funds.

NEWSMAKERS

SC directs ex-NSE MD to pay Rs 12.5 lakh in penalty

The Supreme Court on February 26, 2024 asked Chitra Ramkrishna, the former managing director and chief executive officer of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), to deposit half of the ₹25 lakh penalty amount that was confirmed by the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) in the dark fibre and leased line connectivity case. Challenging the sectoral tribunal’s Dec 14 order that confirmed the penalty of ₹25 lakh on her, Ramakrishna had argued that the imposition of penalty and vicarious liability on her on account of a ‘moral responsibility’ for the acts and omissions of NSE was ultra vires the Sebi and other laws.

RBI appoints S. Ravindran as TMB’s part-time chairman

The Reserve Bank has appointed Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd.’s independent director S. Ravindran as part-time chairman of the bank from February 29 till August 2, 2026.

PayU names Renu Sud Karnad as chairperson

PayU Payments Private Ltd (PayU), which is fintech arm of Global Consumer Internet Group Prosus, has appointed Renu Sood Karnad, a director at HDFC Bank, as chairperson and independent director of the company.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma resigns as Paytm Payments Bank Chairman

One 97 Communication, the parent company of fintech Paytm, informed the exchanges that founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has resigned from the board of Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL).

Section G: ECONOMY

Cabinet approves 3 chip units at an investment of ₹1.26-lakh cr

The Union Cabinet on February 29, 2024 approved proposals to set up three semi-conductor units with an investment of ₹1.26-lakh crore. Two of the units will be set up in Gujarat and the third one in Assam. With this, India will have four units, with supply from first unit is expected by year end.

While the Tata Group will set up two units, at Dholera (Gujarat) and Morigaon (Assam), CG Power will set up the third, at Sanand (Gujarat). This was announced by Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The units will make chips for sectors including defence, automobiles and telecommunications and will be set up under the ‘Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem’ programme that provides government support of up to ₹76,000 crore; of this, ₹59,000 crore will be made available to these three plants. The Tata group will get ₹33,998 crore as incentive from the Centre for the Dholera (Gujarat) project and ₹10,225 crore for the Morigaon (Assam) unit. CG Power will get ₹3,501 crore for the Sanand (Gujarat) project.

Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd will set up a semiconductor fab in partnership with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp at Dholera in Gujarat. The plant will have a capacity to produce 50,000 wafers per month and entail an investment of ₹91,000 crore. This will produce high-performance chips with 28 nm technology for application in electric vehicles, telecom, defence, automotive, consumer electronics, display and power electronics.

Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) will set up the semiconductor unit in Assam at an investment of ₹27,000 crore. This will have a capacity of 48 million per day for automotive, EVs, consumer electronics, telecom and mobile phones.

CG Power, in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corp and Stars Microelectronics of Thailand, will set up unit at Sanand in Gujarat at an investment of ₹7,600 crore. This unit will manufacture 15 million chips for consumer, industrial, automotive and power applications.

Cabinet approves ₹75,000-crore ‘free electricity’ solar scheme

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹75,021-crore package for the ‘PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ (PM Free Electricity scheme) to promote rooftop solar (RTS) installations in India.

The scheme envisages providing 300 units of “free electricity” every month to one crore households. However, it was not immediately clear how the scheme officially unveiled on February 29, 2024 would result in free electricity to one crore households.

The Centre will fund, an accompanying press statement from the Union Power Ministry says, 60% of the cost for installing 2 kW (kilowatt) systems and 40% of the cost for systems of 2-3 kW capacity.

Systems of higher wattage will not be eligible for central subsidy.

At current benchmark prices, this will mean ₹30,000 subsidy for 1 kW systems, ₹60,000 for 2 kW systems and ₹78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher.

Applying for subsidy

As a next step, households will apply for subsidy through a Central portal and be able to select a suitable vendor for installing a rooftop solar system. The national portal will assist the households in their decision-making process by providing relevant information such as appropriate system sizes, benefits calculator, vendor rating, etc.

For the remaining costs, households will be able to access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 7% at present for installation of residential RTS systems up to 3 kW. This implies that minus the Central subsidy, the rest of the installation expenses have to be borne by the aspirant consumer.

Power sector PSUs will install for free

Earlier Power Minister R.K. Singh had said that public sector units, affiliated to the Ministry, would be reaching out to “eligible” households and install the rooftop solar systems for free. The PSU, or its affiliated agency, would be responsible for taking out a loan to finance the component not funded by the Central subsidy. This loan would be repaid to the bank by consumers selling surplus power produced back to the grid. He said that “60% of the cost of installation will be subsidised by the Centre. For the rest, [a Central] public sector unit will take a loan [from a bank] and will repay from the cost of electricity [used by the household] over and above the 300 units.

Foodgrain output estimated at 154 MT in Kharif season FY24

The government on February 29, 2024 estimated the country’s production of food grains to be about 154.19 million tonnes during the kharif season and 155.12 million tonnes in the rabi season in 2023-24.

As per the second advance estimate of major agricultural crops released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, kharif rice output is estimated at 111.46 million tonnes. For the rabi season, the estimate is 12.36 million tonnes.

Production of wheat is projected to be 112.02 million tonnes.

The estimate for millet grain (Shree Anna) production is 12.89 million tonnes during the kharif season and 2.49 million tonnes during the rabi period.

The estimate for tur is 3.34 million tonnes, slightly more than last year’s production of 3.31 million tonnes.

Gram projection is estimated at 12.16 million tonnes, which is marginally lower than the previous year.

Lentil output is estimated to be 1.64 million tonnes, compared with 1.56 million the previous year.

Production of soybean is projected at 12.56 million tonnes, while that of rapeseed and mustard is estimated at 12.70 million tonnes.

The advance estimate projects cotton output to be 32.31 million bales (of 170 Kg each) and sugarcane production to be 446.43 million tonnes.

Cabinet clears Rs 24,420 cr subsidy for P&K fertilisers in Kharif season

The union Cabinet on February 29, 2024 approved a subsidy of ₹24,420 crore for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers and kept the rate for di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) unchanged at ₹1,350 per bag of 50 kg for the upcoming kharif season.

The Cabinet also approved the inclusion of three new fertiliser grades under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme in order to reduce the dependence on imports, information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said at a press conference.

The subsidy on phosphatic fertilisers has been increased to ₹28.72 per kg for the April-September 2024 kharif season from ₹20.82 in the 2023 rabi season. It has been kept unchanged at ₹47.02 per kg for nitrogen, ₹2.38 per kg for potassic and ₹1.89 per kg for sulphur fertilisers.

With the subsidy, DAP, which is sold at ₹1,350 per bag, and muriate of potash, which costs ₹1,670 per bag, will continue to be available at the same rate in the upcoming kharif season, while NPK will be available at ₹1,470 per bag.

Indian economy grows 8.4% in Q3FY24; full-year estimate up to 7.6%

India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth surged to a six-quarter high of 8.4% in October-December, pushing up the growth rate for 2023-24 to 7.6% as against the earlier estimate of 7.3%, data for third quarter GDP and second advance estimates for 2023-24 released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on February 29, 2024 showed.

The FY23 number was revised downwards to 7% from 7.2% projected earlier, whereas the FY22 number was revised upwards to 10.1% as per the final estimates, given the 7.4% contraction during the Covid year.

Manufacturing and construction were significant contributors to growth in the third quarter, growing 11.6% in Q3FY24 and 9.5%, respectively, but agriculture growth disappointed with a 0.8% contraction in the third quarter, compared with a 1.6% rise in the previous quarter.

On the expenditure side, investment also contributed to growth, rising 10.6% in Q3FY24 compared with 5% growth in Q3FY23, but private consumption remained subdued with a 3.5% growth.

Defence Ministry signs five major capital acquisition contracts

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 39,125.39 crore on March 1, 2024 in Delhi. The contracts were exchanged in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

Out of the five contracts, one was with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for procurement of Aero-engines for MiG-29 aircraft, second with Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and procurement of High-Power Radar (HPR) and two with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of BrahMos missiles and procurement of Ship borne BrahMos system for the Indian Defence Forces.

The contract for RD-33 Aero Engines for MiG-29 aircraft has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of Rs 5,249.72 crore. These aeroengines will be produced by the Koraput Division of HAL.

The contract for procurement of CIWS has been signed with Larsen and Toubro Limited at a cost of Rs 7,668.82 crore.

The contract for procurement of HPR has also been signed with Larsen and Toubro Limited at a cost of Rs 5,700.13 crore. It will replace existing long-range radars of lAF with modern Active Aperture Phased Array based HPR with advanced surveillance features.

The contract for procurement of BrahMos missiles has been signed with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) at a cost of Rs 19,518.65 crore. These missiles would be utilized to meet combat outfit and training requirements of the Indian Navy.

This project is likely to generate employment for nine lakh man-days in Joint Venture entity and around 135 lakh man-days in ancillary industries (including MSMEs) in the country.

Over half of 821mn internet users from rural India: Study

Rural India had 442 million active internet users last year surpassing urban India which had 378 million users, showed a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India and marketing data and analytics company Kantar.

In 2023, India had 821 million internet users compared to 759 million in the year before. Rural India witnessed a growth of 78% in the last one year, with shared device usage for internet access higher there than in urban India.

The report said that 90% of internet users surf the internet daily, spending an average of 1.5 hours on the internet.

When shopping online, only 26% of Indians avail cash on delivery to make payments as most others use digital modes of payment. Nearly 71% of digital payment users live in urban India.

The report showed 86% of internet users or 707 million people signed up for OTT audio and video services — the top use case for internet in India. About 76% use the internet for communication, 70% for social media and 53% for online gaming, the report showed. Over 80% of OTT users have used music streaming apps in the last year. Subscription to music streaming services is recording 8% growth.

The report covered over 90,000 households across all states and union territories, and is dubbed as the most comprehensive survey of internet usage in India.

9 cr farmers get ₹21k cr under PM-Kisan scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi February 28, 2024 transferred more than Rs 21,000 crore directly to the bank accounts of more than nine crore landholder farmers across the country under the Centre’s flagship income support scheme, PM-Kisan.

The 16th installment was remotely transferred by the PM through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode from a function in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. Beginning April, farmers will be eligible for the next installment. The Centre can transfer the 17th installment of Rs 2,000 each to all eligible farmers as the ongoing scheme does not fall under the model code of conduct.

With this transfer, govt has, so far, disbursed over Rs 3 lakh crore to more than 11 crore eligible farmer families since the inception of the scheme in Feb, 2019. An analysis of the scheme shows that more than 85% of the total beneficiary farmers are those who have up to two hectares of land (marginal and small farmers).

Under PM-Kisan, financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each, every four months, is transferred into the bank accounts of each of landholder farmers’ families across the country through DBT mode.

National parties declare income of Rs 3077 cr in 2022-23

The six national parties have declared a total income of nearly Rs 3077 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal, with the BJP getting the maximum share totalling around Rs 2361 crore, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said on February 28, 2024.

The ruling BJP’s income forms 76.73 per cent of the total income of the six national parties during FY 2022-23, it said.

The Congress declared the second highest income of Rs 452.375 crore, which forms 14.70 per cent of the total income of the six national parties. Besides the BJP and the Congress, BSP, AAP, NPP and CPI-M have declared their income.

Between FY 2021-22 and 2022-23, the income of the BJP increased by 23.15 per cent or Rs 443.724 crore from Rs 1917.12 crore during FY 2021-22 to Rs 2360.844 crore during FY 2022-23, the ADR said.

The income of NPP increased by 1502.12 per cent or Rs 7.09 crore from Rs 47.20 lakh during FY 2021-22 to Rs 7.562 crore during FY 2022-23.

Similarly, AAP’s income increased by 91.23 per cent (Rs 40.631 crore) from Rs 44.539 crore during FY 2021-22 to Rs 85.17 crore during FY 2022-23.

Between the 2021-22 fiscal and 2022-23 fiscal, the income of the Congress, CPI(M) and BSP decreased by 16.42 per cent (Rs 88.90 crore), 12.68 per cent (Rs 20.575 crore) and 33.14 per cent (Rs 14.508 crore) respectively, it noted, citing their records submitted to the Election Commission.

It also said the BJP declared a total income of Rs 2360.844 crore during FY 2022-23, but spent only 57.68 per cent, which comes to Rs 1361.684 crore of the total income.

The Congress’ total income was Rs 452.375 crore while it spent Rs 467.135 crore, with its expenditure for that year exceeding its total income by 3.26 per cent.

The CPI(M)’s total income was Rs 141.661 crore while it spent Rs 106.067 crore – 74.87 per cent of its income.

Similarly, AAP’s total income was Rs 85.17 crore while it spent Rs 102.051 crore – its expenditure for that year exceeded its total income by 19.82 per cent.

India’s position unchanged at 42 on International IP Index 2024

India’s position remained unchanged at 42 at the International IP Index 2024 compared to 2023, with no change even on the index score which stood at 38.64% since 2022, the US Chamber of Commerce said in a report released on February 28, 2024. The index ranks 55 countries on their intellectual property (IP) regime.

The top countries on the index were the USA (95.48%), UK (94.12%), France (93.12%), Germany (92.46%), Sweden (92.12%), Japan (91.26%), Netherlands (91.24%), Ireland (89.38%), Spain (86.44%) and Switzerland (85.98%).

Highlighting India’s IP related shortcomings, the report said that the 2021 dissolution of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board combined with the long-standing issue of an under-resourced and overstretched judiciary raises serious concerns about rights holders’ ability to enforce their IP rights in India and to resolve IP-related disputes.

According to the report, however, some of the IP related strengths for India include the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023, which includes new language and criminal sanctions on film piracy, and streamlined Form 27 in 2020.

Several products earn GI tag

The famous Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi (silver filigree) of Odisha has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai. Filigree has been traditionally associated with fine craftsmanship and luxurious design in classical jewellery.

The other products to join the GI league are Banglar Muslin, one of the popular traditional handloom crafts of Bengal; Narasapur crochet lace products; and Kutch rogan craft.

Ratlam Riyawan Lahsun (Garlic), a variety named after Riyawan village in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, also bagged the GI tag along with the Ambaji White Marble, which is formed when limestone is re-crystallised under the earth’s crust due to intense pressure and heat. Tripura Risa Textile, Hyderabad Lac Bangles, Majuli Mask of Assam and the Assam Majuli Manuscript Painting are other products that got GI tag.

The Majuli Mask of Assam is made in different varieties and sizes as they are mainly divided into different categories — Mukha bhaona covers the face; the Lotokoi hanging mask, which is bigger in size, extends to the chest; while Cho Mukha (huge mask) covers the head and body.

Indian economy remains resilient, says NCAER report

High frequency indicators reveal that the Indian economy remains resilient with Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for services accelerating and manufacturing regaining momentum, economic think tank National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) said in report released on February 28, 2024. Further, NCAER said the composite PMI accelerated to 61.2 in January from 58.5 in December 2023. PMI for manufacturing activity accelerated to 56.5 in January from 54.9 in December 2023, reflecting an expansionary momentum while PMI for services went up to 61.8 in January from 59 in December 2023. The report mentioned about healthy GST collections which reached a value of Rs 1.7 lakh crore in January, registering a year-on-year growth of 10.4 per cent.

Bharat Tex 2024 organised in New Delhi

Bharat Tex 2024 was organised in New Delhi from February 26 to 29, 2024 based on the 5F (Farm, fibre, factory, fashion and foreign) vision of the Prime Minister. It showcased India’s prowess in the textile sector and reaffirm India’s position as a global textile powerhouse. It was organized by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the government. The four-day event featured over 65 knowledge sessions with more than 100 global panelists discussing various issues faced by the sector. It also had dedicated pavilions on sustainability and circularity, an ‘Indi Haat’, fashion presentations on diverse themes such as Indian Textiles Heritage, sustainability, and global designs, as well as interactive fabric testing zones and product demonstrations. Over 3,500 exhibitors, over 3,000 buyers from over 100 countries, and more than 40,000 business visitors, besides textiles students, weavers, artisans and textile workers participated in Bharat Tex 2024 along with policymakers and global CEOs.

Core growth hits 15-month low of 3.6% in January

India’s core sector expanded 3.6% in January, its slowest pace in 15 months, weighed down by a high base and mixed performance across sectors, according to government data released on February 29, 2024. The core sector had grown 4.9% in the previous month and 9.7% a year earlier. The slow growth in the eight core industries – cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilisers, natural gas, refinery products and steel – is likely to be reflected in industrial output as well. These sectors have over 40% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Bharat Startup Ecosystem Registry portal launched

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on February 27, 2024 launched the Bharat Startup Ecosystem Registry portal that is expected to on board all stakeholders and connect entrepreneurs to incubators, investors, corporates, and government bodies, making a single-platform database of all stakeholders. Startup Mahakumbh event will be organised in New Delhi on March 18-20, 2023.

GST collection surges 12.5% in February

Gross GST revenue rose by 12.5% year-on year to Rs 1.68 lakh crore in February 2024. Average monthly gross GST collection for 2023-24 is Rs 1.67 lakh crore, exceeding the Rs 1.5 lakh crore for 2022-23, according to a finance ministry statement on March 1, 2024. The highest-ever GST collection was recorded at Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April 2023.

Section H: CORPORATE

SC serves Patanjali contempt notice for continuing with its misleading ads

Taking strong exception to Patanjali Ayurveda for continuing with its misleading advertisements claiming to cure some diseases permanently despite its order and in violation of law, Supreme Court on February 27, 2024 issued notice to the company and its managing director Acharya Balkrishna to show cause why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them.

The court noted that immediately after apex court’s Nov 21 order, the company and its promoters organised press conferences and gave misleading advertisements about their products claiming to cure permanently ailments caused by sugar, obesity, blood pressure and other diseases which is against the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954

Advocates appearing for Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that the company and its promoters were targeting and denigrating allopathy branch of medicine which should not be permitted.

The court thereafter passed an order banning the company from advertising its medicinal products till further orders and posted the hearing to March 15.

Google reinstates some delisted apps including Naukri, 99acres, Shaadi

Google reinstated some of the apps on its Play Store on March 2, 2024, a day after the Android-maker delisted them from the marketplace citing “non-compliance” with its billing policy.

The apps that returned to Google’s App Store included Info Edge India’s Naukri, 99acres and Naukri Gulf, and People Interactive’s matrimonial platform Shaadi.

On March 1, Google said it began taking action against 10 Indian companies for non-compliance with the billing policies, which the app developers have alleged to be anti-competitive.

The apps that were delisted by Google also included Matrimony.com’s BharatMatrimony, Balaji Telefilms’ video-streaming platform Altt, audio-streaming platform Kuku FM and online dating apps Truly Madly and QuackQuack.

Also, for some internet firms, the reinstatement is not fully in line with their expectations. People Interactive CEO Anupam Mittal, said Shaadi was reinstated on Play Store, but said in its current form, the app does not have an in-app billing system.

Mittal said that his company won’t deploy Google’s billing system, under which app publishers have to pay a commission of 11-26% on payments.

Some app publishers, including Shaadi, have still chosen not to deploy Google’s user choice billing system, which would need them to pay the commission that they are opposing. Instead, the apps are offering payments externally — outside of the app. This avoids the commission but also becomes inconvenient for users, thereby having an impact on revenue.

Developers of mobile apps are highly dependent on Google’s Android ecosystem in India, considering it makes up for almost 97% of the smartphone market in India.

Star India to merge with Viacom18

Star India, the local unit of US-based Walt Disney, will merge with Reliance Industries (RIL) subsidiary Viacom18 to create the country’s biggest media and entertainment business valued at about $8.5 billion. RIL will assume control with a combined stake of 63% in the merged entity. The joint venture was announced by the two companies on February 28, 2024.

Mukesh Ambani-led RIL and Bob Iger-led Walt Disney have signed binding, definitive agreements. Nita Ambani will serve as chairperson of the merged entity, while former Star India boss Uday Shankar will provide “strategic guidance” as vice chairperson.

RIL, Viacom18, and Disney will own 16.34%, 46.82%, and 36.84% of StarViacom18 venture, respectively. Currently, the RIL group including TV18 holds 71.02% in Viacom18 followed by Bodhi Tree at 15.97% and Paramount at 13.01%.

The merged entity will have over 100 TV channels such as Colors, StarPlus, StarGOLD, Star Sports and Sports18, spread across entertainment and sports, besides two streaming platforms, Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. It will have sports rights such as Indian Premier League (IPL), International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) matches. It will also have the rights for the Indian Super League and the Pro Kabaddi League.

The deal will see the exit of Paramount Global from Viacom18. Last year, Paramount’s stake was diluted to 13% from 49% after a fund infusion by Reliance and Bodhi Tree Systems.

Bhavish Aggarwal’s Krutrim launches chatbot

Krutrim, an Artificial Intelligence start-up launched by Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal, has rolled out an AI chatbot in public beta, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. The chatbot, which has the same name as the company, was announced in December. It is the firm’s first product, which will be powered by its multilingual large language models (LLM), also called Krutrim. Krutrim’s AI models can understand over 20 Indian languages and generate text in 10 Indian languages, including Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Marathi. Krutrim, ‘artificial’ in Sanskrit, will come in two sizes: a base model named Krutrim trained on 2 trillion tokens and unique datasets; and a larger, more complex model called Krutrim Pro, launching next quarter for advanced problem-solving and task-execution capabilities.

Flipkart launches its own UPI service

Flipkart, an e-commerce marketplace, launched its UPI service for online and offline payments within and outside its app. Initially, Android users will have access to the Flipkart UPI, which is powered by AxisBank. Customers can register for UPI with the @fkaxis handle and can do fund transfers and checkout payments using the Flipkart app.

Yash Raj Films launches casting app

Production house Yash Raj Films (YRF) on March 1, 2024 said it has launched a social media application for acting aspirants. The banner said budding talent from across the world would directly receive information about casting calls for its films and series through the YRF Casting App. According to YRF, the app would help the studio tackle fake casting calls issued in the name of the company.

Pfizer, NIPER join hands to support healthcare start-ups

Pfizer is collaborating with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER, Ahmedabad) to support healthcare start-ups in turning their “innovative ideas into market-ready solutions.” This partnership expands on the Pfizer INDovation initiative, through which 34 start-ups in India have already been supported through funding and incubation to bring their breakthroughs to market. The latest NIPER initiative is being supported by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and NITI Aayog and anchored by Social Alpha. The initiative will follow a cohort-based approach to select six innovators pan-India, that will be incubated at NIPER-Ahmedabad.

Samara, Convergent to acquire Agro Tech Foods for ₹650 crore

Private equity firms Convergent Finance and Samara Capital will jointly acquire a 51.8% stake in Agro Tech Foods (ATFL) from Conagra Brands Inc for $78 million (₹650 crore). The funds will also make an open offer, which is compulsory under Indian takeover rules, for another 26% stake at a cost of $44 million. Conagra is the controlling shareholder of ATFL, which sells popular brands ACT II popcorn, Sundrop edible oil and peanut butter, Duo chocolate confectionery and Popz cereal snacks.

ATFL shares closed at ₹997.85, up 3.5%, February 29, 2024 on the BSE, giving the company a market capitalisation of ₹2,431 crore. ATFL will continue to license the ACT II brand from Conagra for use in India, said the statement. Chicago-headquartered Conagra Brands is one of North America’s leading branded food companies.

TVS hikes stake in Killwatt GmbH

TVS Motor Company on February 26, 2024 said its Singapore-based arm has increased stake in the Germany-based electric mobility products and components start-up Killwatt GmbH to 49 per cent with the acquisition of an additional 8,000 equity shares for 4 million euros (over Rs 35 crore).

Sony Pictures signs deal to renew rights for UEFA Leagues

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) recently renewed its exclusive media rights for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League for an additional three seasons. The three-year deal starting in 2024-25 and ending in 2026-27 could be valued at $40 million.

Swiggy changes company name ahead of IPO

Food and grocery delivery major Swiggy has changed its registered name from Bundl Technologies Pvt Ltd to Swiggy Pvt Ltd through a special resolution. The name change will be subject to the approval of the Registrar of Companies.

Deloitte’s Global Powers of Luxury Goods rankings 2023

Six Indian companies featured among the top 100 luxury goods makers in Deloitte’s Global Powers of Luxury Goods rankings 2023. Kozhikode-based Malabar Gold & Diamonds led India’s list at 19th rank globally, followed by Titan, positioned at 24th rank. Thrissur, Kerala-based jewellery companies Kalyan Jewellers and Joy Alukkas are listed at the 46th and 47th spots, respectively. Kolkata-based Senco Gold & Diamonds (78^th) and Thangamayil Jewellery (98^th) of Coimbatore are the other Indian companies in top-100. Diversified French luxury goods company Louis Vuitton or, known as LVMH topped the list globally. American clothing major Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation stood second on the list, while Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company Richemont was ranked third on the list.

Court orders Meta to cease using name in Brazil

A Sao Paulo-court ordered Facebook-parent Meta to stop using its name in Brazil within 30 days, after a local computer services provider with the same name filed a lawsuit saying it has been damaged by third parties confusing the companies. The decision is from Feb 28, 2024. Meta Servicos, which registered its brand in the late 2000s with Brazil’s National Institute for Intellectual Property, said in the judicial process that since Zuckerberg’s company changed its name in 2021, it had been wrongly included in more than 100 lawsuits and had Instagram profiles disabled for supposedly impersonating another.

Reliance Foundation unveils Vantara animal rescue & care facility

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Reliance Foundation on February 26, 2024 unveiled Vantara, an initiative for animal welfare in Gujarat. This project focuses on the rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of injured and abused animals across India and abroad. Vantara, which is a Hindi word, means ‘star of the forest’. The facility has a specialized kitchen spanning more than 14,000 square feet, crafting a tailored diet for each elephant, prioritizing their crucial physical requirements, including oral health.

NEWSMAKERS

Akshay Kumar, most-visible star in TV ads in 2023

Akshay Kumar emerged as the most-visible celebrity in TV ads in 2023, while Amitabh Bachchan was seen endorsing the highest number of brands on television in the past year. Virat Kohli was the most-visible sports star in TV ads in 2023. This was disclosed in Celebrity Endorsement Report 2023 by AdEx India, a division of TAM Media Research.

The most-visible endorsers on TV included Akshay Kumar with 8 per cent share of TV ads, followed by Amitabh Bachchan (4 per cent). Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Sara Ali Khan, Virat Kohli, and Taapasee Pannu also featured among the top 10 most-visible stars in TV ads in the past year.

In terms of quantum of brands endorsed, Bachchan topped the charts and was seen endorsing 53 brands. He was followed by MS Dhoni (50 brands) and Virat Kohli (41 brands). Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, and Kiara Advani were the other celebs featured in the top 10 rankings in terms of quantum of brands endorsed.

Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal knighted by Britain’s King Charles

Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Mittal on February 28, 2024 became the first Indian citizen to be awarded Honorary Knighthood, the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), by King Charles III for advancing India – UK business relations. It is awarded in an honorary capacity to foreign nationals. Mittal had led the revival of UK-based global satellite player OneWeb (now Eutelsat OneWeb), leading a consortium with the British government and other strategic investors to offer satellite broadband services globally. Mittal, a member of the India-UK CEO Forum, has also been awarded the Honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Newcastle University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Leeds. In 2007, Mittal was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Indian government.

Fashion icon Iris Apfel passes away at 102

Iris Apfel, a textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style, died in US on March 1, 2024 at the age of 102. Born Aug. 29, 1921, Apfel was famous for her irreverent, eye-catching outfits, mixing haute couture and oversized costume jewelry.

Section I: STATES

Rajasthan: Two-child norm for govt jobs gets SC nod

The Supreme Court approved Rajasthan government’s ‘two-child norm’ eligibility norm, debarring candidates who have more than two children from seeking govt jobs in the state.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by ex-army personnel Ram Lal Jat, who had retired from service in 2017 and had applied for a constable’s post in Rajasthan Police on May 25, 2018.

His candidature was rejected as Rule 24(4) of Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989 that followed the norm set under the Rajasthan Various Service (Amendment) Rules, 2001, which provides that “no candidate shall be eligible for appointment to the job who has more than two children on or after June 1, 2002.”

He had unsuccessfully challenged the rejection of his candidature for constable post in Rajasthan high court, which in Oct 2022 had ruled that the fixation of norms squarely fell in the realm of policy, which could not be interfered with by the court.

PM lays foundation stone for redevelopment of 21 train stations in Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 26, 2024 virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several railway projects, including redevelopment of 21 stations and 83 road over/under bridges in Chhattisgarh.

The PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of a total of 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth Rs 41,000 crore across the country via video conferencing, a statement issued by South East Central Railway (SECR) said. The SECR is headquartered in Bilaspur city of Chhattisgarh.

Among the projects, the PM laid foundation stones and inaugurated redevelopment of 37 stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and 185 road over/under bridges under SECR zone, it said. Of these stations, 21– Korba, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon, Sarona, Bhatapara, Dongargarh, Bhilainagar, Hathbandh, Bilha, Baikunthpur Road, Ambikapur, Uslapur, Pendraroad, Janjgir Naila, Champa, Baradwar, Dallirajhra, Bhanupratappur, Nipania, Mandirhasaud and Bhilai — fall in Chhattisgarh, Belpahar and Brajrajnagar in Odisha, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Bijuri, Mandla Fort, Balaghat, Nainpur, Chhindwara and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and Itwari, Kamptee, Amgaon, Bhandara Road and Tumsar Road in Maharashtra. Of the 183 road over/under bridges, 83 are in Chhattisgarh.

PM addresses ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ program

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 29, 2024 addressed the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ program via video conferencing. During the programme, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth about Rs 17,000 crores across Madhya Pradesh. The projects cater to many important sectors including irrigation, power, road, rail, water supply, coal, and industry, among others. The Prime Minister also launched the Cyber Tehsil project in Madhya Pradesh.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of irrigation projects worth more than Rs 5500 crores in Madhya Pradesh. These projects include the Upper Narmada Project, Raghavpur Multipurpose Project and Basaniya Multipurpose Project for irrigation of agricultural land in Dindori, Anuppur and Mandla districts and augment the power supply and drinking water in the region.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation two micro-irrigation projects worth more than 800 crore in the state. These include the Parasdoh Micro Irrigation project and the Aulliya Micro Irrigation project. These micro-irrigation projects will serve Betul and Khandwa districts.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of multiple industrial projects worth about Rs 1000 crore across Madhya Pradesh. The projects include Mega Leather, Footwear and Accessories Cluster at Sitapur in Morena district; Plug and Play Park for garment Industry in Indore; Industrial Park Mandsaur (Jaggakhedi Phase-2); and upgradation of Industrial Park Pithampur in Dhar district.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation coal sector projects worth more than 1000 crore including the Jayant OCP CHP Silo, NCL Singrauli; and Dudhichua OCP CHP-Silo.

PM visits Begusarai, Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple oil and gas sector projects worth about Rs 1.48 lakh crore across the country, and several development projects in Bihar worth more than Rs 13,400 in Begusarai, Bihar on March 2, 2024.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) fertilizer plant in Barauni. Developed at more than Rs 9500 crore, the plant will provide affordable urea to farmers and lead to an increase in their productivity and financial stability. This will be the fourth fertilizer plant to be revived in the country.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several railway projects worth about Rs 3917 crore. These include the project for Raghopur – Forbesganj Gauge Conversion; doubling of Mukuria-Katihar-Kumedpur rail line; project for Barauni-Bachhwara 3rd and 4th line, and Electrification of Katihar-Jogbani rail section among others. These projects will make travel more accessible and lead to the socio-economic development of the region. The Prime Minister flagged off four trains also including Danapur – Jogbani Express (via Darbhanga – Sakri); Jogbani- Saharsa Express; Sonpur-Vaishali Express; and Jogbani- Siliguri Express.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ – a digital database for livestock animals in the country. Developed under the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ utilizes a unique 12-digit Tag ID allocated to each livestock animal. Under the project, out of an estimated 30.5 crore bovines, about 29.6 crore have already been tagged and their details are available in the database. ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ will empower the farmers by providing a traceability system for the bovines and also help in disease monitoring and control.

The Prime Minister also launched ‘1962 Farmers App’, an app which records all data and information present under the ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ database, which can be utilized by the farmers.

PM visits Aurangabad, Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 21,400 crores in Aurangabad, Bihar on March 2, 2024.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several National Highway projects worth more than Rs 18,100 crores. The projects that will be inaugurated include a 63.4 km long two-lane with paved shoulder Jaynagar-Narahia section of NH-227; section of six lane Patna ring road from Kanhauli to Ramnagar on NH-131G; a 3.2 km long second flyover parallel to existing flyover in Kishanganj town; four laning of 47 km long Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli; and four laning of 55 km long Arra – Parariya section of NH–319.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for six National Highway projects including the construction of 55 km long four-lane access-controlled Greenfield National Highway from Amas to village Shivrampur; 54 km long four-lane access-controlled Greenfield National Highway from Shivrampur to Ramnagar; 47 km long four-lane access controlled greenfield National Highway from village Kalyanpur to village Balbhadarpur; 42 km long four-lane access controlled greenfield National Highway from Balbhadarpur to Bela Nawada; 25 km long four lane elevated corridor from Danapur – Bihta Section; and upgradation of existing two lane to four lane carriageway of Bihta – Koilwar section. The road projects will improve connectivity, reduce travel time, boost tourism and lead to socio-economic development of the region.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the six lane bridge across River Ganga that will be developed as a part of Patna Ring Road. This bridge will be one of the longest river bridges in the country. This project will decongest traffic through Patna city and provide faster and better connectivity between the North and South parts of Bihar, promoting the socio-economic growth of the entire region.

The Prime Minister inaugurated twelve projects under Namami Gange in Bihar that have been developed at a cost of about Rs 2,190 crore. The projects include Sewage Treatment Plant at Saidpur & Pahari; Sewerage Network for Saidpur, Beur, Pahari Zone IVA; Sewerage system with Sewer network at Karmalichak; Sewerage scheme at Pahari Zone V; and Interception, Diversion & Sewage Treatment Plant at Barh, Chhapra, Naugachia, Sultanganj and Sonepur town. These projects ensure wastewater treatment before it is released into the river Ganga at several places, boosting cleanliness of the river and benefiting the people of the region.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Unity Mall in Patna. To be constructed at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore, the project is envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility, encompassing international design practices, technology, comfort, and aesthetics. The mall will provide dedicated spaces to states, union territories, and districts, enabling them to showcase their unique products and craftsmanship. There will be 36 large stalls for States/ UTs and 38 small stalls for each district of Bihar. Unity Mall will promote local manufacturing and promotion of One District One Products, Geographical Indicators (GI) products and handicraft products of Bihar and India. The project will have a significant socio-economic benefit in terms of employment generation, infrastructure development and exports from the state.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation three railway projects in Bihar including the project for doubling of Patliputra to Pahleza railway line; 26 km long new rail line between Bandhua – Paimar; and a MEMU Shed in Gaya. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Ara Bye Pass rail line. The rail projects will lead to better rail connectivity, improve line capacity and mobility of trains and boost industrial development in the region.

PM visits Dhanbad, Jharkhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth Rs 35,700 crores in Sindri, Dhanbad, Jharkhand on March 1, 2024. The development projects encompass the sectors of fertilizer, rail, power, and coal.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) Sindri Fertiliser Plant. Developed at a cost of more than Rs 8900 crores, the fertilizer plant is a step towards self-sufficiency in the Urea Sector. It will add about 12.7 LMT per annum indigenous urea production in the country benefiting the farmers of the country.

The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone for several rail projects worth more than Rs 17,600 crore in Jharkhand. The projects include 3rd & 4th Lines connecting Sone Nagar-Andal; Tori- Shivpur first & second and Biratoli- Shivpur third railway line (part of Tori- Shivpur Project); Mohanpur – Hansdiha new rail line; Dhanbad-Chandrapura rail line, among others. These projects will expand the rail services in the state and lead to socio-economic development in the region. The Prime Minister also flagged off three trains during the programme. This includes Deoghar – Dibrugarh train service, MEMU Train Service between Tatanagar and Badampahar (Daily) and long-haul freight train from Shivpur station.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation important power projects in Jharkhand including Unit 1 (660 MW) of North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project (STPP), Chatra. Developed at more than Rs 7500 crore, the project will lead to improved power supply in the region. It will also boost employment generation and contribute to socioeconomic development in the state. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation projects related to the coal sector in Jharkhand.

Country’s first private ammunition manufacture facility opens in Kanpur (UP)

In a first in the private sector, two facilities for the manufacture of ammunition and missiles were opened by Adani Defence and Aerospace in Kanpur on February 26, 2024. The twin-facility complex, spread over 500 acres, was inaugurated by Army chief General Manoj Pande and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Kanpur complex is set to become one of the largest integrated ammunition manufacturing complexes in South Asia, Adani Defence and Aerospace said in a statement. The facilities will produce high-quality small, medium and large calibre ammunition for the armed forces, paramilitary forces and the police. “The facility has started rolling out small calibre ammunition, starting with 150 million rounds estimated at 25% of India’s annual requirement.”

UP govt’s curbs on Hindu worship at Gyanvapi illegal: HC

The erstwhile Mulayam Singh Yadav-led UP govt’s act of stopping worship of Hindu deities by a family of priests in the southern cellar of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Masjid in 1993 without a written order was illegal, Allahabad HC said February 26, 2024 while dismissing Anjuman Intizamia Masjid’s (AIM) appeal challenging ex-district judge AK Vishvesha’s Jan 31 ruling allowing puja to resume. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal’s order describes the three-decade-old restrictions on the Vyas family, several generations of whom had been performing rituals until 1993 in a part of the basement known as “Vyas Ji Ka Tehkhana”, as “a continuous wrong being perpetuated”.

Himachal Pradesh: Six Congress MLAs disqualified from Assembly by speaker

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania disqualified the six Congress MLAs on February 29, 2024 who cross voted in the Rajya Sabha polls. “Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves. I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect,” Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said. The six MLAs who have been disqualified are Sudhir Sharma, Rajinder Rana, Davinder K Bhutto, Ravi Thakur, Chaitanya Sharma and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal.

PM visits Hooghly, West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 1, 2024 dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 7,200 crore in Arambagh, Hooghly, West Bengal. The developmental projects are associated with sectors like rail, ports, oil pipeline, LPG supply and wastewater treatment.

The Prime Minister inaugurated Indian Oil’s 518-km Haldia-Barauni Crude Oil Pipeline developed at a cost of about Rs 2,790 crore. This pipeline passes through Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The pipeline will supply crude oil to Barauni Refinery, Bongaigaon Refinery and Guwahati Refinery in a safe, cost-efficient, and environment-friendly manner.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated Indian Oil’s LPG Bottling plant with a capacity of 120 TMTPA at Vidyasagar Industrial Park, Kharagpur. Developed at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore, the LPG bottling plant will be the first LPG bottling plant in the region. It will supply LPG to about 14.5 lakh customers in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects for strengthening infrastructure at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata worth about Rs 1000 crore. The projects whose foundation stone will be laid include the reconstruction of Berth No. 8 NSD and the mechanization of berth no. 7 & 8 NSD of Kolkata Dock System. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the project for augmentation of the firefighting system at oil jetties of Haldia Dock Complex, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. The newly installed fire-fighting facility is a state-of-the-art fully automated set-up equipped with cutting-edge gas and flame sensors, ensuring immediate hazard detection. The Prime Minister dedicated the third Rail Mounted Quay Crane (RMQC) of Haldia Dock Complex with a lifting capacity of 40 Tonnes. These new projects at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata will boost the productivity of the port substantially by helping in faster and safer cargo handling and evacuation.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation important rail projects worth about Rs 2680 crores. The projects include the third rail line connecting Jhargram – Salgajhari (90 Kms); doubling of Sondalia – Champapukur rail line (24 Kms); and doubling of Dankuni – Bhattanagar – Baltikuri rail line (9 Kms). These projects will expand the rail transport facilities in the region, improve mobility and facilitate seamless service of freight traffic leading to economic and industrial growth in the region.

The Prime Minister inaugurated three projects related to wastewater treatment and sewerage in West Bengal. These projects, developed at a cost of about Rs 600 crore have been funded by the World Bank. The projects include Interception and Diversion (I&D) works and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at Howrah with a capacity of 65 MLD and a sewage network of 3.3 km; I&D works and STPs at Bally with capacity of 62 MLD and a sewage network of 11.3 km, and I&D works and STPs at Kamarhati & Baranagar with a capacity of 60 MLD and a sewage network of 8.15 Km.

PM visits Nadia, West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 15,000 crore in Krishnanagar, Nadia district, West Bengal on March 2, 2024.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II (2×660 MW) located at Raghunathpur in Purulia district. This coal-based thermal power project of the Damodar Valley Corporation employs highly efficient supercritical technology. The new plant will be a step towards strengthening the country’s energy security.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system of Unit 7 & 8 of Mejia Thermal Power Station. Developed at a cost of about Rs 650 crore, the FGD system will remove sulphur dioxide from flue gases and produce clean flue gas and forming gypsum, which can be used in the cement industry.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the road project for four-laning of Farakka-Raiganj Section of NH-12 (100 Km). Developed at a cost of about Rs 1986 crore, the project will reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity and contribute to the socio-economic development of North Bengal and the Northeast region.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation four rail projects worth more than Rs 940 crore in West Bengal including project for doubling of Damodar – Mohishila rail line; third line between Rampurhat and Murarai; doubling of Bazarsau – Azimganj rail line; and New line connecting Azimganj – Murshidabad. These projects will improve rail connectivity, facilitate freight movement and contribute to economic and industrial growth in the region.

PM unveils development projects worth Rs 17,300 cr in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, 2024 laid the foundation stone of Outer Harbor Container Terminal at V O Chidambaranar Port. The major infrastructure project aims to leverage India’s long coastline and favourable geographic location. He also inaugurated various other projects aimed at making the V O Chidambaranar Port as the first Green Hydrogen Hub Port of the country. These projects include desalination plant, hydrogen production and bunkering facility among others.

The Prime Minister also flagged off India’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel under Harit Nauka initiative. The vessel is manufactured by Cochin Shipyard and underscores a pioneering step for embracing clean energy solutions and aligning with the nation’s net-zero commitments.

Prime Minister also dedicated tourist facilities in 75 lighthouses across ten States/UTs during the programme.

PM Modi dedicated to nation rail projects for doubling of Vanchi Maniyachchi – Nagercoil rail line including the Vanchi Maniyachchi – Tirunelveli section and Melappalayam – Aralvaymoli section. Developed at the cost of about Rs 1,477 crore, the doubling project will help in reducing travel time for the trains heading towards Chennai from Kanyakumari, Nagercoil and Tirunelveli.

Prime Minister also dedicated to nation four road projects in Tamil Nadu, developed at a total cost of about Rs 4,586 Crore. These projects include the four-laning of the Jittandahalli-Dharmapuri section of NH-844, two-laning with paved shoulders of the Meensurutti-Chidambaram section of NH-81, four-laning of the Oddanchatram-Madathukulam section of NH-83, and two-laning with paved shoulders of the Nagapattinam-Thanjavur section of NH-83. These projects aim to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance socio-economic growth and facilitate pilgrimage visits in the region.

PM visits Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The Prime Minister participated in the program ‘Creating the Future – Digital Mobility for Automotive MSME Entrepreneurs’, and addressed Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurs working in the automotive sector in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on February 27, 2024. The Prime Minister also launched two major initiatives designed to support and uplift MSMEs in the Indian automotive industry. The initiatives include the TVS Open Mobility Platform and the TVS Mobility-CII Centre of Excellence. These initiatives are a step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of supporting the growth of MSMEs in the country and helping them to formalize operations, integrate with global value chains and become self-reliant.

Temple Bill passed in Karnataka Assembly again after its defeat in Council

A bill that sought to collect funds from temples with over Rs 10 lakh annual income, which was defeated by the opposition BJP-JD(S) combine in the legislative council on February 23, was taken up for reconsideration and passed by the legislative assembly once again on February 29, 2024. The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will now be sent to the Governor directly for his assent, following which it will become law.

The bill was defeated by a voice vote in the upper house, where the opposition has a majority, on February 23, after it was passed by the assembly on February 21. The bill was piloted in the assembly on February 29 by Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

‘Muzrai’ refers to grants made by the government for religious and charitable purposes as well as the upkeep of religious and charitable institutions, according to the Karnataka Government Gazetteer. The department of Religious and Charitable Endowments is, hence, popularly known as the Muzrai department. It administers about 35,000 Hindu religious institutions which receive grants from the Government of Karnataka.

The bill among other things, proposes to collect five per cent from temples whose gross income is between Rs 10 lakh and less than Rs one crore and 10 per cent from temples whose income is above Rs one crore, to be put into a Common Pool Fund, administered by ‘Rajya Dharmika Parishath’, which is proposed to be used for Archakas’ (priests) welfare and upkeep of ‘C’ category temples (state controlled) whose annual income is less than Rs five lakh.

The act that was earlier amended in 2011 had made way for five per cent of the net income of temples with annual income between Rs five lakh and Rs 10 lakh and 10 per cent of the net income of temples with annual income of over Rs 10 lakh to come into the fund.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accepts caste survey report

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on February 29, 2024 accepted the copies of the caste census report. Backward Classes Commission Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde submitted 13 volumes of the socio-economic survey report to the CM. The report, according to Hegde, contained the findings of a comprehensive social and educational survey of communities along with the break-up of caste-wise population.

President approves Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill; withholds assent to 3 university law bills

President Droupadi Murmu has withheld assent to the three University laws bills referred to her by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, but approved the Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill passed by the state assembly. The Raj Bhavan in a statement on February 29, 2024 said that the President has withheld assent to the Kerala University Laws (Amendment No.2) Bill 2022, which aims to replace the Governor from the position of Chancellor of Universities.

Besides that, the University Law Amendment Bill, 2022 that aims to increase the members in the Search Committee for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor and the University Law Amendment Bill, 2021 which deals with the Appellate Tribunal issue and other amendments to Technological University, were also denied Presidential assent.

The statement further said that of the seven bills referred to the President by the Governor, “assent has been accorded to only one Bill, namely, the Kerala Lok Ayukta Amendment Bill, 2022”.

The Kerala Assembly had on August 30, 2022 passed the Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to make the executive the appellate authority over recommendations and reports by the anti-corruption watchdog.

AP: Pilots were watching cricket on phone when trains crashed on Oct 29

The two drivers of a train were engrossed in watching a cricket match on their phones when it rear-ended another passenger train in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Oct 29, 2023, resulting in the loss of 14 lives, according to railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

He referred to the Vizianagaram accident while speaking in New Delhi on March 2, 2024 about new safety measures for the railways. Vaishnaw said: “Now we are installing systems that can detect any such distractions and make sure that pilots and assistant pilots are fully focused on running the train.”

The minister reiterated the railways’ commitment to safety and pledged to investigate the root cause of accidents to prevent future occurrences.

The accident occurred when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train overshot a signal and collided with the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train, which had reportedly slowed down, between Kantakapalle and Alamanda. The Rayagada train’s driver, his assistant, and the guard of the Palasa train, were among those killed, while around 50 passengers were injured.

Following the accident, railway authorities suspected human error as the likely cause of the collision, but did not rule out other possibilities. A preliminary investigation found the Rayagada train drivers ignored two defective automatic signals, thus violating safety regulations.

AP CM disburses Rs 1,294 cr under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan scheme

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on February 28, 2024 disbursed Rs 1,294 crore under YSR Rythu Bharosa – PM Kisan scheme for the fifth year, including interest subvention for the fourth year under YSR Sunna Vaddi Panta Runalu scheme. Out of Rs 1,294 crore, Rs 1,078 crore funds have been disbursed to more than 53 lakh farmers at the rate of Rs 2,000, while Rs 216 crore will go in the form of interest subvention for timely repayment of interest on crop loans taken during Rabi-2021 and Kharif-2022 seasons to 11 lakh farmers.

BioAsia 2024 held in Hyderabad

BioAsia 2024, the 21st edition of life sciences and healthcare forum in Asia, was organised in Hyderabad by the Government of Telangana on February 26-28, 2024 with the theme of “Data and AI: Redefining Possibilities”. The event focussed on the transformative potential of data and AI in shaping the future of the life sciences industry and healthcare delivery. During the event, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented the Genome Valley Excellence Award to Gregg L. Semenza, Nobel Laureate and Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Odisha govt unveils ‘Nabin Odisha Magic Card’ for students

In a new initiative, the Odisha government will launch the “Nabin Odisha Magic Card”, a points-based smart card that will engage and empower the youth, enabling them to move forward and create a platform to achieve their dreams, on March 5. The online registration portal for this card will be launched on March 5, 2024. The distribution of the card will be on August 15. Based on points earned through various activities and parameters, the cards will be upgraded to Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. The cards will be allotted and upgraded based on the performance of students in terms of attendance, discipline, academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, sports, online courses, personality development courses, etc.” These cards can provide access to various facilities like bus/train/Flight concession; access to phone/data recharge and Wi-Fi; e-libraries; online academic courses.

PM inaugurates country’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first indigenously built hydrogen fuel cell ferry boat in virtual mode in Kochi on February 28, 2024. The vessel has been built at the Cochin Shipyard. The pilot vessel is a 24-metre catamaran which can carry 50 passengers.

Indian Coast Guard jetty inaugurated at Gujarat’s Vadinar

Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt on March 1, 2024 inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) jetty at Vadinar in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district as a step towards augmenting infrastructure development in the ICG’s strategically important North-West region. The ICG North-West regional headquarters was established on December 16, 2009 at Gandhinagar. It executes the Coast Guard’s mandated charter in the maritime zones of Gujarat, Daman and Diu. Gujarat has a 1,215-km long coastline, which is one-sixth of the country’s total coastline, and shares notional IMBL with Pakistan.

Ocean Grace tug launched by Cochin Shipyard Limited

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of MoPSW & AYUSH, inaugurated the 60T bollard pull tug named ‘Ocean Grace’ and the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU), virtually on March 2, 2024. The Ocean Grace is the first make in India ASTDS Tug developed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited under MoPSW. The Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) is part of port’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Nagaland Assembly adopts resolution against decision to fence India-Myanmar border

After Mizoram, NDA-ruled Nagaland on March 1, 2024 became the second state to adopt a resolution against the Centre’s decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and end the over seven-decades-old bilateral Free Movement Regime (FMR) between the two countries that allows movement of tribals up to 16 km on either of the imaginary boundary without visa and passport.

The development in Nagaland, ruled by the NDPP-led NDA government assumes significance after Mizoram assembly earlier adopted a resolution opposing scrapping of the FMR and fencing of the border. The Nagaland assembly said it would request the Centre “to reconsider its decision, and abandon plans of suspending the FMR and fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.”

The resolution says that these measures “will cause immense hardship and inconvenience, and also agony to the Naga people living in the Indo-Myanmar border areas due to the fact that the traditional land holding system straddles across the international border in many areas, and people have to cross the international border on a daily basis for their normal cultivation activities.”

The resolution was moved by deputy CM of the NDPP-BJP coalition government, Y Patton, who is from BJP.

Meanwhile CMs of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have decision to fence India-Myanmar border.

Mizoram govt. will not collect biometric data of refugees: CM

The Mizoram government will not collect the biometric details of refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh in the State, Chief Minister Lalduhoma told the Assembly on February 29, 2024.

According to Mizoram’s Home Department, 32,221 people displaced by the civil war in Myanmar and 1,167 people fleeing alleged ethnic persecution in Bangladesh have taken refuge in the State since February 2021. Mizoram is also housing some 9,000 internally displaced people, mostly from strife-torn Manipur.

The previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government had conducted training and appointed nodal officers for the purpose, but later decided not to collect biometric and biographic details of the refugees as it would “amount to discrimination against people of our blood”. The State election in November 2023 was also cited as a reason for declining to undertake the exercise. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), an alliance of six parties formed under the leadership of MLA and former IPS Officer and current CM Lalduhoma, came to power after the November 2023 elections winning 27 out of 40 seats in the Assembly.

Mizoram Assembly adopts resolution against border fence

The 60-member Mizoram Assembly on February 28, 2024 adopted a resolution against the Centre’s decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement with the civil war-torn neighbouring country.

The FMR allows residents along the 1,643-km border between the two countries to travel up to 16 km in each others’ territory without any visa and stay for a limited period.

The resolution urges the Centre to reconsider its decision and take steps instead to ensure the Zo ethnic people can live together without a fence dividing their ancestral land.

The dominant Mizos of Mizoram, the Kuki-Zomis of Manipur, the Chins of Myanmar and the Kuki-Chins of Bangladesh belong to the Zo ethnic group.

According to the Mizoram government, the British geographically divided the Zo ethnic people who have inhabited [present-day] Mizoram and the Chin Hills of Myanmar for centuries together, once under their own administration.

On February 6, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the India-Myanmar border would be fenced. His announcement on scrapping the FMR to “maintain the country’s internal security and demographic structure of the Northeastern States” followed on February 8.

Of the four States bordering Myanmar, Mizoram, and Nagaland are opposed to the fencing plan. Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are in favour of it.

Centre signs tripartite agreement with Tipra Motha, Tripura govt

The Centre on March 2, 2024 signed a tripartite agreement with Tipra Motha (Tripura Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance) and the Tripura government to bring a “lasting solution” to the problems of the state’s indigenous people. Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Debbarma was on a ‘fast-unto-death’ to demand a permanent solution to the problems of the indigenous people in Tripura. Following assurance of the interlocutors of the central government, he came to the national capital and agreed for the pact.

1M1B and Meghalaya govt sign MoU to set up Green Skills Academy

The Meghalaya Multisectoral Project for Adolescent Wellbeing Empowerment and Resilience (MPOWER) – Planning, Investment, Promotion and Sustainable Development Department , The Department of Education, Information Technology & Communication (IT&C) Department, Meghalaya State Skills Development Society, Government of Meghalaya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 1M1B Foundation (One Million for One Billion) to set up a Green Skills Academy in Shillong to accelerate the adoption of green skills amongst the college youth in the state of Meghalaya.

Sikkim govt to create fixed deposits of Rs 10,800 in name of newborns

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on February 26, 2024 announced a new scheme under which the government will make a fixed deposit of Rs 10,800 in the name of a newborn. Addressing the ‘Jan Bharosa Sammelan’ in Soreng district, Tamang announced the ‘Sikkim Sishu Samriddhi Yojana’ ahead of the assembly elections in the state. He said the fixed deposit will mature and the money can be withdrawn when the child turns 18. The Himalayan state has the lowest population in the country at 6.10 lakh, according to the 2011 census.

Manipur assembly urges Centre to abrogate SOO pact with all Kuki-Zo militant groups

Manipur assembly on February 29, 2024 unanimously resolved to urge the Central Government to completely abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SOO) pact with all the Kuki-Zo militant groups.

Manipur launches National e-Vidhan app for paperless legislative activities

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 27, 2024 launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in the Manipur Assembly making the legislative activities paperless. Manipur witnessed unprecedented violent clashes, attacks, counter attacks and arsoning of houses, vehicles and government and private properties in more than 10 districts during and after May 3 ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All-Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to oppose the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. At least 210 people have been killed and over 50,000 displaced since ethnic violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis began on May 3 last year.

GI Certificates handed over to 18 indigenous products of Arunachal Pradesh

Geographical Indication (GI) certificates were conferred upon 18 distinctive products hailing from Arunachal Pradesh. The 18 products bestowed with GI certificates include: Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice), Apatani Textile, Yak Churpi, Tangsa Textile, Monpa Textile, Adi Kekir (Ginger), Handmade Carpet, Monpa Handmade Paper, Nyishi Textile Products, Wancho Wooden Craft, Adi Textile, Galo Textile, Singpho Phalap (Singpho Tea), Adi Apong, Arunachal Pradesh Dao (Sword), Annyat Millet, Marua Apo (Marua Millet Beverage) and Khamti Handloom Textile. These products encapsulate the unique traditions, skills, and natural resources of Arunachal Pradesh

PM inaugurates multiple development projects worth ₹4,900 cr in Maharashtra

The Prime Minister inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects related to rail, road and irrigation worth more than ₹4900 crores at Yavatmal in Maharashtra on February 28, 2024. He also released benefits under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and other schemes during the programme and initiated the distribution of 1 crore Ayushman cards across Maharashtra. Prime Minister also launched the Modi Awaas Gharkul Yojana for OBC category beneficiaries and also flagged off two train services.

Maharashtra govt extends subsidy scheme for milk producers by month

The Maharashtra government on February 26, 2024 extended by a month its scheme to provide a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre to milk producers. The subsidy extension will continue till March 10, as per a Government Order (GO). The state government’s decision aims to provide subsidy benefits to farmers supplying milk to both private and cooperative projects. The scheme, which came into effect on January 11, was initially implemented till February 10.

NEWSMAKERS

Telangana: BRS MP Pothuganti Ramulu joins BJP

Former Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and Nagarkurnool MP Pothuganti Ramulu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at the party headquarters in New Delhi on February 29. Other BRS leaders R Loknath Reddy, Pothuganti Bharath Prasad, Jakka Raghunandan Reddy and Mentapally Purushotham Reddy also joined BJP. They joined the party in presence of Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Former UP Governor Aziz Qureshi dies at 83

Former Uttar Pradesh Governor and senior Congress leader Aziz Qureshi passed away in Bhopal on March 1, 2024 at the age of 83. Qureshi had served as the governor of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Mizoram.

K Shivaram, bureaucrat turned Kannada actor, dies at 70

K Shivaram, a multifaceted individual known for his roles in bureaucracy, acting, and politics, passed away in Bengaluru on February 29, 2024 at the age of 70. He holds the distinction of being the first person to clear the UPSC exam in Kannada. Post his retirement as the Bengaluru regional commissioner in 2013, Shivaram ventured into politics but as unsuccessful.

Singer Pankaj Udhas dies in Mumbai at 72

Renowned ghazal and playback singer Pankaj Udhas passed away in Mumbai on February 26, 2024 at the age of 72. He gained recognition as a professional singer with his song “Chitthi Aayee Hai” from the film Naam (1986). Since then, he recorded numerous albums, toured globally as a renowned Ghazal singer, composed music for several films, and contributed as a playback singer. In 2006, the Indian government conferred the Padma Shri on Udhas.

Journalist Satish Nandgaonkar dies at 53

Senior journalist and former Chief of Bureau of The Hindu in Mumbai, Satish Nandgaonkar, passed away on February 28, 2024 at the age of 53. He worked at The Hindu from January 2015 till the end of 2016. Beyond journalism, he was associated with Mumbai’s oldest surviving film society and film festival, Third Eye Asian Film Festival. Nandgaonkar was also co-founder of the Media Foundation of India.

Vaibhav Gupta wins Indian Idol 14

Vaibhav Gupta emerged as the winner of the 14th season of the popular singing reality show, Indian Idol in March 2024. He walked away with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. Gupta, who hails from Kanpur, also won a car apart from the prize money and a trophy. Subhadeep Das Chowdhury secured the first runner-up position, receiving a prize of Rs 5 lakh. Piyush Panwar, the second runner-up, was awarded Rs 3 lakh, while Ananya Pal, the third runner-up, received a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.

Manisha Rani clinches ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11’

Manisha Rani clinched Sony Entertainment Television’s dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11’ on March 2, 2024. Manisha got Rs 30 lakhs, while her choreographer, Ashutosh Pawar, received Rs 10 lakhs.

Section J: SPORTS

World Athletics Indoor Championships held in Glasgow

The 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships was organised in Glasgow, Scotland from March 1 to 3, 2024. Medals were given in 26 athletics disciplines: 13 for women, 13 for men. New indoor world record was created in women’s 400 metres by Femke Bol of Netherlands. The 24-year-old won gold in 49.17 seconds, bettering her previous WR of 49.24.

Gold winners in Men’s Events

60 metres: Christian Coleman (United States): 6.41 sec
400 metres: Alexander Doom (Belgium): 45.25 sec
800 metres: Bryce Hoppel (United States): 1:44.92
1500 metres: Geordie Beamish (New Zealand): 3:36.54
3000 metres: Josh Kerr (Great Britain): 7:42.98
60 metres hurdles: Grant Holloway (United States): 7.29 sec
4 × 400 metres relay (Belgium): 3:02.54
High jump: Hamish Kerr (New Zealand): 2.36 m
Pole vault: Armand Duplantis (Sweden): 6.05 m
Long jump: Miltiadis Tentoglou (Greece): 8.22 m
Triple jump: Hugues Fabrice Zango (Burkina Faso): 17.53 m
Shot put: Ryan Crouser (United States): 22.77 m
Heptathlon: Simon Ehammer (Switzerland): 6418 pts

Gold winners in Women’s Events

60 metres: Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia): 6.98 sec
400 metres: Femke Bol (Netherlands): 49.17 sec
800 metres: Tsige Duguma (Ethiopia): 2:01.90
1500 metres: Freweyni Hailu (Ethiopia): 4:01.46
3000 metres: Elle St. Pierre (United States): 8:20.87
60 metres hurdles: Devynne Charlton (Bahamas): 7.65 sec
4 × 400 metres relay: Netherlands: 3:25.07
High jump: Nicola Olyslagers (Australia): 1.99 m
Pole vault: Molly Caudery (Great Britain): 4.80 m
Long jump: Tara Davis-Woodhall (United States): 7.07 m
Triple jump: Thea Lafond (Dominica): 15.01 m
Shot put: Sarah Mitton (Canada): 20.22 m
Pentathlon: Noor Vidts (Belgium): 4773 pts

Ashwin is 1^st Indian to take 100 wickets, score 1000 runs against single team

Ravichandran Ashwin on February 23, 2024 became the first Indian and seventh in the world to take 100 wickets as well as score 1000 runs against a single international team in test cricket as he reached the incredible feat against England in the fourth Test of the five-match series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Players who have made 1000 runs and taken 100 wickets against England in tests: George Giffen – 3214 runs and 102 wickets, Monty Noble – 1905 runs and 115 wickets. Garfield Sobers – 1238 runs and 103 wickets and R. Ashwin – 1085* runs and 100* wickets. England’s Wilfred Rhodes, Ian Botham and Stuart Broad all have taken 100 wickets and scored 1000 runs against Australia.

London Marathon offers equal prize money for wheelchair and able-bodied races

The London Marathon (April 21, 2024) is to become the first marathon in the world to offer equal prize money for its wheelchair and able-bodied races. An increase of $54,500 (£43,000) has taken the wheelchair prize fund to $308,000 (£243,000) – matching that available to the able-bodied athletes.

Sportikon 2024 organised in Greater Noida

Over 1,200 athletes from 51 universities and colleges across India participated in the four-day intervarsity sports meet Sportikon 2024, which concluded in Greater Noida on February 25, 2024. The meet was conducted for 14 sports and was organised by Bennett University. While winners across the 14 disciplines came from a wide array of universities and colleges, the hosts won gold in football, kabaddi, powerlifting, shot put (men) and discus throw (women), while OP Jindal Global University was declared champion in cricket, tennis, table tennis (men and women) and chess.

Turkish Women’s Cup football

Kosovo won Turkish Women’s Cup football title in Antalya, Turkey, on February 27, 2024. India finished runners-up in the four-team tournament. India ended their campaign with six points from three games, three points behind the champions. India’s Manisha Kalyan was awarded the Best Midfielder of the Tournament.

Max Verstappen wins Bahrain Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen won the season-opening Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2, 2024 at Sakhir. Another Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was second while Carlos Sainz of Scuderia Ferrari was third.

Puneri Paltan wins Pro Kabaddi League Season 10

Puneri Paltan emerged victorious in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 final, defeating Haryana Steelers 28-25 in a nail-biting encounter at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on March 1, 2024. Puneri Paltan captain Aslam Inamdar was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season for 142 raid points and 23 tackle points. The side’s vice-captain Mohammadreza Chiyaneh was adjudged the season’s best defender. Dabang Delhi’s Ashu Malik bagged the best raider honour for his haul of 276 raid points.

Also See:

Weekly Current Affairs February 2024 (27th to 04th March, 2024)

Current Affairs February 2024

Section A: INDIA

Section B: INDIA & THE WORLD

Section C: WORLD

Section D: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Section E: AWARDS

Section F: BANKING & FINANCE

Section G: ECONOMY

Section H: CORPORATE

Section I: STATES

Section J: SPORTS

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