In which state did Vivek Bharadwaj inaugurated (24th Jan 2024) the national workshop on Status of Devolution to Panchayats?

Daily Current Affairs

Kerala

Goa

Maharashtra

Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer : Goa

Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, inaugurated the National Consultative Workshop on ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats’ at Goa on 24th Jan 2024.

Director General, IIPA, Shri Surendra Nath Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Smt Mamta Varma and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

In his inaugural address, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj shared insightful thoughts on various aspects of Devolution to Panchayats emphasizing the significance of a shared vision, common goal and collaborative action towards advancing the process of Devolution to Panchayats for strengthening of Panchayati Raj system in the country.

Underlining the impact of every self-reliant Panchayat contributing to a self-reliant nation, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj said that Panchayats which are the institutions of local self-governance in rural areas, have immense potential towards building our country. Underlining the value of Devolution Index, he added that the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions need to be developed financially and human resource-wise to match with the functions expected from them.

Empowering Panchayats and strengthening Panchayati Raj system are not just about local self-governance; it’s about fostering self-reliance and sustainability as a self-sufficient Panchayat is a cornerstone for building a Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) and Viksit (developed) India, added Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar delivered address on the Introduction to the National Consultative Workshop, outlining the well-designed technical sessions and the Workshop's vital objective – contributing to the roadmap for Panchayati Raj.

Technical Session on Status of the Devolution to Panchayats in States was chaired by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj where presentation on draft report on the study ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats’ was made by IIPA and discussion on the status of devolution to the Panchayats in the States based on six dimensions, i.e. Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity building and Accountability took place.

The inaugural day of the National Consultative Workshop also had detailed discussions and experience sharing sessions on Devolution of Functions and Finances to Panchayats : Experience Sharing by States, and Devolution of Functionaries and Capacity Building to Panchayats. States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana made detailed presentation on the subject which was highly appreciated by all.

The National Consultative Workshop is a vital platform for in-depth deliberations on the findings and recommendations of the draft Study Report. The draft report, prepared by IIPA, reflects a thorough analysis of the current status and potential enhancements in the devolution process to Panchayats. The workshop aims to gather diverse perspectives, insights, and recommendations to enrich the final report and pave the way for Ranking of States on Devolution to Panchayats. The Additional Chief Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries / Secretaries in-charge of Panchayati Raj Department of States and UTs and representatives of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NITI Aayog are participating in two-day National Consultative Workshop..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 27, 2024

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In 2015, India ranked ninth in solar energy deployment, but by 2023, it produced 5.8% of its electricity from solar, up from 0.5% in 2015. This significant increase underscores India’s commitment to clean energy and its pivotal role in mitigating climate change.

Global Solar Growth Trends :

Ember’s report highlights that solar energy witnessed a remarkable increase globally, with 2023’s solar generation exceeding six times that of 2015. The top four solar growth countries, including India, accounted for 75% of this growth, emphasizing the widespread adoption of solar power worldwide.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India's Toy Exports Slip to _____ Million in 2023-24

$102.92

$121.19

$139.53

$152.34

Correct Answer : Option (D) - $152.34

India’s toy exports experienced a slight decline to USD 152.34 million in the fiscal year 2023-24, with limited benefits from quality control measures. Despite efforts to bolster the domestic industry and ensure product safety, exports did not see significant improvement.

Declining Export Trends :

Export figures dropped marginally from USD 153.89 million in the previous fiscal year to USD 152.34 million in 2023-24, as outlined by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Despite a modest increase in exports from FY’2020 to FY’2022, the subsequent year witnessed a downturn.

Import Trends :

Conversely, imports rose to USD 64.92 million in 2023-24 from USD 62.37 million in the preceding year, indicating a persistent challenge in balancing trade dynamics.

GTRI’s Recommendations :

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Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India Leads Global Remittances, Surpassing _____ Billion Mark.

$50

$100

$200

$250

Correct Answer : Option (B) - $100

India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighted India, alongside Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five remittance recipient countries.

Consistent Growth: From $53.48 Billion to $111.22 Billion

The UN’s World Migration Report 2024 underscored India’s consistent growth in remittances, noting a rise from $53.48 billion in 2010 to $111.22 billion in 2022. This significant increase showcases India’s pivotal role in the global remittance landscape.

Southern Asia’s Significance in Global Remittances :

The IOM emphasized Southern Asia’s importance as a major recipient of global remittances, attributed to its high proportion of migrant workers and emigrants. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh all ranked among the top ten recipients worldwide, highlighting the sub-region’s reliance on labor migration.

Prominent Migration Corridors and Destination Countries :

While India ranks 13th as a destination country for immigrants, it features prominently in various international migration corridors, including India-United Arab Emirates, India-Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh-India, all of which are among the top 10. This indicates India’s significant role in global labor migration patterns.

Published On : May 9, 2024