Who to Chair 26th Meeting of Western Zonal Council in Gandhinagar?

Daily Current Affairs

Amit Shah

Yogi Adityanath

J. P. Nadda

Rajnath Singh

Correct Answer : Amit Shah

Union Home and Co-operation Minister Amit Shah chaired the 26th Meeting of the Western Zonal Council at Gandhinagar, Gujarat (28th August 2023).

* The Minister also inaugurated an e-Resource web portal of the Inter-State Council Secretariat (28th August 2023).

* During the meeting, the Home Minister asked the Zonal Council member States to work sensitively on three issues of national importance - POSHAN Abhiyaan, reducing the dropout rate of school children and taking benefits of Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana to every poor.

* The Minister said after the passage of the three new Bills - Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill - recently introduced by the Modi government in the Parliament, no case can continue for more than two years.

* The Home Minister asked all the States to work towards creating the necessary basic infrastructure and capacity for the implementation of these laws.

* Saying that Member States of the Western Zonal Council share long coastlines where there are highly sensitive institutions and industries, Mr Shah underpinned the need for sustained efforts towards ensuring tight security. The wide range of issues pertaining to as well as national interest was discussed in the meeting.

* Akashvani correspondent reports that critical Issues related to Transfer of land, water supply, Mines, Coverage of villages by Bank Branches and Postal Banking facilities, Implementation of the Scheme of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for expeditious disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases, Utilisation of Bharat Net infrastructure by States for providing broadband connectivity to households in villages, Adoption of Telecom RoW Rules by States for facilitating roll out of 5G, Implementation of Motor Vehicles Rules, 2022, Strengthening of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) were among the critical issues discussed today.

* The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Administrator of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and other distinguished Ministers, and senior officers from the States and Central Ministries and Departments..

Source : AIR

Published On : August 28, 2023

Solar’s Ascendance in India :

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 :

Comprehensive Industry Development Strategy : GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava emphasized the necessity for a holistic approach to foster the growth of India’s toy industry and bolster exports.

Domestic Ecosystem Strengthening : Developing a robust domestic ecosystem is paramount, alongside measures to encourage renowned global toy brands to establish manufacturing facilities within India’s borders.

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