Daily Current Affair (6 July 2024)
Useful For Prelims
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A.P. in crisis, needs more than special category status: CM
What is special category status?
Special category status is a classification of regions or states by the central government to provide special assistance in the form of tax benefits and financial support for development of the region. It was first introduced in 1969 based on the recommendations of the Fifth Finance Commission.
What are the criteria to provide special status to a state?
The criteria listed by the government include: (1) hilly nd difficult terrain (2) low population density and / or sizeable share of tribal population (3) strategic location along the borders with neighbouring countries (4) economic and infrastructural backwardness and (5) non-viable nature of state finances.Which states have special category status?
In 1969, three states — Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory after revocation of Article 370), Assam and Nagaland — were granted the special category status. Subsequently, 8 more states have been granted such a status. It includes Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Telangana was granted a special status tag after it was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
What are the benefits of special category status?
States that come under special category status get preferential treatment in getting central assistance and tax breaks. For the implementation of the centrally-sponsored scheme, the special category status states are required to contribute just 10% while the central government provides 90% of the fund. For other states the centre provides 60%-70% of the fund. Allotted money if not spent, lapse for the normal states, but in the case of special category states it is carried forward. Special category states are provided tax breaks to attract investments. They are also given preferential treatment in allocation of central funds assistance.
source:- The Hindu, Deccan herald
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At ₹1.27 lakh crore, defence production registered a new high in 2023-24, says Centre
- As per the data received from all Defence Public Sector undertakings (DPSUs), other PSUs manufacturing defence items, and private companies, the value of defence production in the country has gone up to a record-high figure of ₹1,26,887 crore, reflecting a growth of 16.7% over the defence production of the previous financial year, the Ministry said in a statement.
Initiative by government for defence sector
- DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) for MSMEs & Startups to indigenize cutting-edge defence technologies.
- Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, 72 items out of total of 214 items mentioned in 1st and 2nd Positive Indiginisation List (PIL) have been indigenised by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) well before their original timelines.
- SRIJAN portal launched to promote indigenization.
- The Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020) is designed to encourage homegrown manufacture and streamline the purchase of defense equipment from domestic suppliers. The Indian government has made sure that purchasing equipment under the "Buy Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM)" category is the most favored alternative for capital acquisition, followed by the "Buy (Indian)" category.
- Industries have been provided with free access for DRDO patents.
- The provisions of Government funding have been introduced for Make-I, Technology Development Fund (TDF) and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) projects
- Four ‘Positive Indigenization Lists’ of defence equipment and platforms for which there would be an embargo on the import.
- DRDO test facilities have been opened to the industries for utilisation.
- Two Defence Industrial Corridors have been set up in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to catalyse indigenous production of defence and aerospace-related items.
source:- The Hindu, PIB
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Food costs lift veg thali price 10%
- Veg and non-veg food plate prices rose in June to six and seven month highs, respectively; tomato, onion, potato, rice, and pulses continued to record double-digit inflation.
Operation Greens Scheme
- In the budget speech of Union Budget 2018-19, a new Scheme “Operation Greens” was announced on the line of “Operation Flood”, with an outlay of Rs.500 crore to promote Farmer Producers Organizations (FPO), agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management.
- Accordingly, Ministry has been implementing the scheme for development of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) value chain since November 2018. The scheme has two components namely (I) Long Term Intervention-Integrated Value Chain Development Projects and (II) Short-Term Interventions.
Spitting fire
Craters erupt from Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, on Friday in Sicily, an island in Italy. Due to the eruption, the Catania airport announced its closure as ashes fell on the airspace and the surrounding area.
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FSSAI approves proposal to display nutritional information labelling of total sugar, salt and saturated fat in bold letters and bigger font size in 44th meeting of Food Authority
- Amendment aims to empower consumers to better understand the nutritional value of the product they are consuming and make healthier decisions
- It would also contribute towards efforts to combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases and promote public health and well-being.
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Ministry of Culture initiates Project PARI for the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting
- Project PARI aims at stimulating dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, contributing to the dynamic cultural fabric of the nation.
- Over 150 visual artists from all over the country working on various sites in the national capital for beautification of public spaces for the upcoming event.
- Project PARI (Public Art of India), an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, being executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and National Gallery of Modern Art.
- These expressions underscore the intrinsic value that art holds in Indian society, serving as a testament to the nation's enduring commitment to creativity and artistic expression.
- The first intervention under Project PARI is taking place in Delhi. It coincides with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India between 21-31 July 2024.
Source:-PIB
- Project PARI aims at stimulating dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, contributing to the dynamic cultural fabric of the nation.
- Over 150 visual artists from all over the country working on various sites in the national capital for beautification of public spaces for the upcoming event.
- Project PARI (Public Art of India), an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, being executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and National Gallery of Modern Art.
- These expressions underscore the intrinsic value that art holds in Indian society, serving as a testament to the nation's enduring commitment to creativity and artistic expression.
- The first intervention under Project PARI is taking place in Delhi. It coincides with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India between 21-31 July 2024.
Source:-PIB