15th September, 2023
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, eCourts Project Phase III, Ayushman Bhav Campaign, ‘Working Group on Empowerment of Women’, iGOT Karmayogi Bharat, Special Campaign 2.0, Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics, OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology), Sarpanch Samvad, ‘Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI)’, Hindi Diwas, Dr. NS. Srinivasan, Rahul Navin, Rahul Mishra
- Union Cabinet has approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for release of 75 lakh LPG connections over 3 years from financial Year 2023-24 to 2025-26.
- Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the eCourts Project Phase III as a Central Sector Scheme spanning 4 years (2023 onwards) with financial outlay of 7210 crores.
- The President of India has virtually launched the Ayushman Bhav Campaign, emphasizing its goal of ultimately achieving Universal Health Coverage.
- The 4th and last meeting of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) under India’s G20 presidency has concluded in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration has announced the creation of a new ‘Working Group on Empowerment of Women’ to support the G20 Women’s Ministerial, with its first meeting scheduled during Brazil’s G20 presidency.
- iGOT Karmayogi Bharat in partnership with NITI Aayog has launched a new learning module dedicated to the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
- National Institution for Transforming India(NITI Aayog) has successfully completed its Special Campaign 2.0, which aims to resolve pending matters and promote cleanliness (Swachhta) within government offices.
- Government has launched the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg), an online platform for management of agricultural data.
- India has achieved the status of an OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) certificate-issuing authority.
- Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has launched “Sarpanch Samvad”, a mobile app developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
- Government of Odisha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 6 Public Sector Banks(PSBs), to provide banking services in all unbanked Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Odisha through Customer Service Point-plus (CSP plus) banking outlets.
- Odisha Cabinet has granted approval for the ‘Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI)’ scheme, aimed at establishing a sustainable, affordable, and safe transportation network for passengers and goods across the state.
- Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department has introduced a ‘Mobile Van Program’ as part of the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana’ to advance eco-friendly and natural farming practices.
- World Health Organization (WHO) has launched 2 resources designed to strengthen suicide prevention efforts.
- Max Life Insurance Company Limited has launched a new insurance plan “Max Life Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage (SEWA) Plan” that combines the benefits of health and life insurance under a single plan.
- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the leadership of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has given approval for 9 capital acquisition proposals, totalling to Rs 45,000 crore.
- 14 September: Hindi Diwas
- Indian Under 16 (U-16) men’s football team has won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championship 2023 title by defeating Bangladesh (2-0) in the finals.
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ICICI Bank Limitedto support the startup ecosystem in the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) IIT Kanpur.
- Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to offer an easy financing option for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to support space-tech innovations through cloud computing.
- Rahul Navin, has been appointed as the Acting Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
- NS. Srinivasan, a renowned highway and traffic expert, and Founder Director of the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has passed away.
- Government of France has awarded the “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) to the Indian Fashion Designer Rahul Mishra.
- Scientists analyzing data from India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission have made a new discovery: high-energy electrons from Earth’s plasma sheet may play a role in forming water on the Moon’s surface.
- UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, has designated the World Heritage Sites in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv as “in danger” due to the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion.
Table of Content
National News
- Union Cabinet has approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for release of 75 lakh LPG connections over 3 years from financial Year 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Initiatives to expand LPG coverage:- PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hastantarit Labh): To reduce “ghost” accounts and illegal use of household cylinders for commercial purposes, the LPG cylinders were not sold at subsidised price and rather at market price.
- The applicable subsidy was directly transferred to the individual’s bank account electronically.
- GIVE IT UP:Instead of removing subsidies forcefully, people were encouraged to voluntarily surrender their subsidies which helped redirect the funds to those who genuinely needed assistance in acquiring LPG cylinders.
- PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hastantarit Labh): To reduce “ghost” accounts and illegal use of household cylinders for commercial purposes, the LPG cylinders were not sold at subsidised price and rather at market price.
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana • It is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for providing LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. • During Ujjwala 1.0, a target was set to provide LPG connections to 5 crore women members of BPL households. • Subsequently, the scheme was expanded in April 2018 to 8 crore women including women beneficiaries from 7 more categories (SC/ST, PMAY, AAY, Most backward classes, tea garden, forest dwellers, Islands). • The PMUY 2.0 was launched in the financial year 2021-22 making a provision for the release of additional 1 crore connections. |
Source: PIB
- Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the eCourts Project Phase III as a Central Sector Scheme spanning 4 years (2023 onwards) with financial outlay of 7210 crores.
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• The e-Courts project began in 2007 and is a centrally sponsored scheme that is part of the National e-Governance Plan. • The Supreme Court is responsible for the policy planning, strategic direction and implementation while the Department of Justice (DoJ) provides the funding. • eCourts Mission Mode Project aims at improving access to justice using technology. • As part of the National eGovernance Plan, the e-Courts Project is under implementation since 2007 for ICT enablement of the Indian Judiciary. • The Phase II of has concluded in 2023. |
Source: IE
- The President of India has virtually launched the Ayushman Bhav Campaign, emphasizing its goal of ultimately achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Features:- Successful gram panchayats will be declared as Ayushman Gram Panchayats.
- The campaign aims to facilitate access to Ayushman cards, generate ABHA IDs, and raise awareness about health schemes and diseases, with a focus on non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis, and sickle cell disease.
- It comprises three components: Ayushman – Apke Dwar 3.0, Ayushman Melas at Health and Wellness Centres, and Ayushman Sabhasin every village and panchayat.
Source: PIB
- The 4th and last meeting of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) under India’s G20 presidency has concluded in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- The SFWG during India’s G20 presidency has made recommendations on the following six areas
- Mechanisms for Mobilisation of Timely and Adequate Resources for Climate Finance
- Policy Measures and Financial Instruments for Catalysing the Rapid Development and Deployment of Green and Low-Carbon Technologies
- Scaling-up the adoption of social impact investment instruments
- Improving Nature-related Data and Reporting
- G20 Technical Assistance Action Plan
- Overcoming data-related barriers to climate investments. In addition, the members have finalised the compendium of case studies on financing SDGs and the compendium on non-price policy levers to support sustainable investments.
- The SFWG during India’s G20 presidency has made recommendations on the following six areas
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G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group(SFWG) • It was launched in 2016 during China’s G20 presidency as Green Finance Study Group. • In 2018, under the Argentinian Presidency, its scope was expanded and the group was renamed Sustainable Finance Study Group (SFSG). • In 2021, G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors agreed to upgrade it into the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG). • Purpose: To advance international work to help scale up private and public sustainable finance and in doing so, accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development |
Source: PIB
- G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration has announced the creation of a new ‘Working Group on Empowerment of Women’ to support the G20 Women’s Ministerial, with its first meeting scheduled during Brazil’s G20 presidency.
Source: ET - iGOT Karmayogi Bharat in partnership with NITI Aayog has launched a new learning module dedicated to the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
- iGOT Karmayogi Bharat is a comprehensive online platform to guide individual civil service officials in their capacity building journey.
- The module is accessible on the iGOT Karmayogi platform, comprising of 10 comprehensive courses.
- These courses cover a wide range of subjects, including time management, communication for citizen-centricity, leadership, sustainable development goals, problem-solving, self-leadership, stress management, yoga at the workplace, and team building.
About the module
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Aspirational District Programme • Launched in January 2018, it aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed districts across the country. • The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking; all driven by a mass movement. Aspirational Blocks Programme • NITI Aayog has launched the Aspirational Blocks Programme, building on the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme. • The Programme is aimed at improving the performance of areas that are lagging on various development parameters. It was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23. |
Source: PIB
- National Institution for Transforming India(NITI Aayog) has successfully completed its Special Campaign 2.0, which aims to resolve pending matters and promote cleanliness (Swachhta) within government offices.
- The Special Campaign 2.0 was initiated by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, was undertaken from November 2022 to August 2023.
- The campaign is a step towards transparent, efficient governance and cleanliness in government institutions.
- Ministry of Civil Aviation will launch a Special Campaign 3.0 focussing on institutionalizing cleanliness and reducing pendency in Government offices.
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• As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of “A Clean India”, DARPG initially launched campaign for disposal of pending matters from 2nd to 31st October 2021. • With the success of the campaign, DARPG decided to continue the campaign in 2022 and further in 2023. |
Source: PIB
- Government has launched the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg), an online platform for management of agricultural data.
- The UPAg is developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA & FW).
- The UPAg Portal’s core function is to generate crop estimates and integrate with other agriculture-related statistical systems.
- It aims to combat challenges like non-standardized and unverified data, ultimately supporting data-driven decision-making in India’s agriculture sector.
Source: IE
- India has achieved the status of an OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) certificate-issuing authority.
- With the addition of India, the number of countries authorised to issue OIML certificates has increased to 13.
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OIML • It is an intergovernmental organization that was established in 1955 to promote and harmonize legal metrology worldwide. o Legal metrology involves the science and application of measurement techniques and measurement standards used for regulatory and trade purposes. • The primary objective of the OIML is to facilitate international trade by developing and maintaining a coherent and internationally recognized system of legal metrology. • The OIML develops and publishes international standards, guidelines, and recommendations related to measurement standards, equipment, and practices. |
Source: IE
State News
- Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has launched “Sarpanch Samvad”, a mobile app developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
- The objective of this initiative is to provide comprehensive support to sarpanchs across India and encourage their development as leaders.
- Features of the app:
- It is set to connect approximately 5 lakh sarpanchs across India.
- It also serves as a platform for networking, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration for grassroots leaders.
- Sarpanchs can use this app to highlight development activities in local villages, learn about best practices, and establish connections across India.
Source: RW
- Government of Odisha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 6 Public Sector Banks(PSBs), to provide banking services in all unbanked Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Odisha through Customer Service Point-plus (CSP plus) banking outlets.
- The 6 PSBs are: State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Union Bank of India (UBI), UCO Bank of India, Bank of India (BoI), and Bank of Baroda (BoB).
- Odisha is the first state in India to adopt such an exemplary model for providing banking services to all GPs.
Source: ToI
- Odisha Cabinet has granted approval for the ‘Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI)’ scheme, aimed at establishing a sustainable, affordable, and safe transportation network for passengers and goods across the state.
- Under the scheme, seamless public transport network from the Gram Panchayat (GP) level to the state capital, ensuring reliable and cost-effective services will be created.
Source: ANI
- Under the scheme, seamless public transport network from the Gram Panchayat (GP) level to the state capital, ensuring reliable and cost-effective services will be created.
- Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department has introduced a ‘Mobile Van Program’ as part of the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana’ to advance eco-friendly and natural farming practices.
Source: ANI
International News
- World Health Organization (WHO) has launched 2 resources designed to strengthen suicide prevention efforts. The 2 resources are-
- 4th version of Preventing Suicide: a resource for media professionals (2023 update).
- Policy brief on the health aspects of decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts.
- The resources provide important guidance on two areas that are critical to suicide prevention efforts namely Responsible reporting of suicide by the media and Decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts.
Source: WHO
Banking and Economy
- Max Life Insurance Company Limited has launched a new insurance plan “Max Life Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage (SEWA) Plan” that combines the benefits of health and life insurance under a single plan.
- The plan integrates health, protection, savings, and wellness benefits for the insured and offers a comprehensive plan that covers hospitalisation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) charges, etc. along with life cover.
- It is available in 2 variants namely: EliteVariant and Lite
Source: HBL
Defence News
- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the leadership of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has given approval for 9 capital acquisition proposals, totalling to Rs 45,000 crore.
- These include the acquisition of 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets, Dhruvastra air-to-surface missiles, and upgrades for the Dornier aircraft.
Source: ET
- These include the acquisition of 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets, Dhruvastra air-to-surface missiles, and upgrades for the Dornier aircraft.
Important Days
- 14 September: Hindi Diwas
- It is celebrated every year in India to mark the day of adoption of Hindi as the official language by the Constituent Assembly of India in 1949.
- This day is observed to celebrate and recognize the linguistic diversity of India, with a focus on the Hindi language’s significance in India’s identity.
- The first ever Hindi Diwas was observed on 14th September 1953.
- Article 343: Hindi in Devanagari script shall be the official language of the Union.
- It is the official language of India, English being the other official language.
- Article 351 pertains to the ‘Directive for development of the Hindi language’.
- Hindi is also an eighth schedule language.
- Hindi is not a classical language.
Source: IT
Sports
- Indian Under 16 (U-16) men’s football team has won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championship 2023 title by defeating Bangladesh (2-0) in the finals.
- Suraj Singh has won the Best Goalkeeper award and Mohammed Arbash has won Most Valuable Player (MVP) and also bagged the Highest Goal Scorer award with 3 goals.
- India has become the most successful team of the tournament with 5 titles (U15 title in 2017 & 2019; U16 title in 2013 and 2023 and U-17 title in 2022).
Source: Sportstar
Memorandum of Understanding
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ICICI Bank Limitedto support the startup ecosystem in the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) IIT Kanpur.
Source: cnbc - Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to offer an easy financing option for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- The partnership will encourage solar energy adoption among MSMEs by offering customized financing solutions through SIDBI’s 4E (End to End Energy Efficiency) Scheme.
- The initiative aims to reduce CO2 footprints and contribute to India’s clean energy goals.
Source: ToI
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to support space-tech innovations through cloud computing.
- Cloud computing provides speedy handling of enormous numbers of raw space data as well as the execution of Artificial intelligence (AI), Machine learning (ML) and analytics work to achieve meaningful results at a low cost.
Source: TH
- Cloud computing provides speedy handling of enormous numbers of raw space data as well as the execution of Artificial intelligence (AI), Machine learning (ML) and analytics work to achieve meaningful results at a low cost.
Appointments
- Rahul Navin, has been appointed as the Acting Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
- He was currently serving as the Special Director-Chief Vigilance Officer at the ED headquarters.
Source: LM
- He was currently serving as the Special Director-Chief Vigilance Officer at the ED headquarters.
Miscellaneous
- NS. Srinivasan, a renowned highway and traffic expert, and Founder Director of the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has passed away.
Source: TH - Government of France has awarded the “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) to the Indian Fashion Designer Rahul Mishra.
- The award recognises his achievements in the field of arts as a designer, and his commitment to promote Indian crafts and know-how internationally.
Source: ToI
- The award recognises his achievements in the field of arts as a designer, and his commitment to promote Indian crafts and know-how internationally.
- Scientists analyzing data from India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission have made a new discovery: high-energy electrons from Earth’s plasma sheet may play a role in forming water on the Moon’s surface.
Source: ToI - UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, has designated the World Heritage Sites in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv as “in danger” due to the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion.
Source: ctv
About Anuj Jindal
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Anuj Jindal, the founder, is an ex-manager from SBI, with an M.Com from Delhi School of Economics. He also has a JRF in Commerce & Management and NET in HRM, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Education.
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