13th July, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Government to Launch ‘Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises’ (AgriSURE)

• The Government of India is set to launch the ‘Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises’ (AgriSURE) to support start-ups and agripreneurs through investments in sector-specific, sector-agnostic, and debt Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), as well as direct equity support to start-ups working in agriculture and allied sectors.
• This initiative aims to foster innovation and sustainability in India’s agricultural sector through the establishment of a Rs 750 crore Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
• The fund will offer both equity and debt support, specifically targeting high-risk, high-impact activities in the agriculture value chain.

NITI Aayog Releases SDG India Index 2023-24

• The SDG India Index 2023-24 reveals significant national and subnational progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India’s composite score improved to 71, reflecting advancements across key sectors like poverty eradication, economic growth, climate action, and biodiversity conservation.
• NITI Aayog’s role in localizing SDGs and fostering competitive federalism has been pivotal, promoting sustainable development as integral to national and subnational policies.
• The SDG India Index serves as a crucial tool for evaluating progress and guiding policy decisions towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. The focus remains on inclusive growth and environmental sustainability.

India Leads Global Maritime Discourse at IMO Council Session in London

• India, represented by a high-level delegation led by Shri T.K. Ramachandaran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has taken a prominent role in shaping international maritime policies at the 132nd session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.
• The session, which began on July 8, 2024, and continues until July 12, 2024, addresses critical issues and proposals for the future of global maritime operations.
• India, an elected member of the IMO Council due to its substantial interest in international seaborne trade, highlighted the urgent issue of seafarer abandonment. The Indian delegation noted 44 active cases involving 292 Indian seafarers, emphasizing the need for robust measures to protect maritime workers worldwide.

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INTERNATIONAL
Ireland Surpasses Mauritius in Preferred FPI Destinations

• Ireland has overtaken Mauritius to secure the fourth spot among preferred destinations for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) routing funds into India. Ireland boasts assets under custody (AUC) totaling Rs 4.41 trillion, slightly edging out Mauritius which recorded Rs 4.39 trillion. The shift highlights Ireland’s appeal, with a 26% increase in AUC in the first half of the year compared to Mauritius’ 11% uptick.
• Ireland, known as the “Emerald Isle,” is a country with rich cultural heritage and economic significance.

The First Woman Chief Justice of Lahore Takes Oath

• Justice Aalia Neelum on July 11, took oath as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) of Pakistan (Lahore), making her the first woman to be elevated as the court’s top judge. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan administered the oath of office to her. Punjab province’s first woman Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also present in the oath-taking ceremony.
• Justice Neelum, 57, stood third in the seniority list of judges of the LHC but the Judicial Commission of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa had decided to consider her nomination for the office of the LHC chief justice.

ECONOMY
India’s Industrial Production Growth Hits 5.9% in May 2024

• In May 2024, India’s industrial output expanded by 5.9% year-over-year, marking the highest growth in seven months. This growth surpassed expectations, with notable contributions from electricity generation and consumer durables.
• Within manufacturing, sectors like “Manufacture of basic metals” (7.8%), “Manufacture of pharmaceuticals” (7.5%), and “Manufacture of electrical equipment” (14.7%) were the primary drivers of growth.

ANDHRAPRADESH
International Honour For Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming

• The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program, led by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has been awarded the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2024. The announcement was made by Dr. Angela Merkel, chair of the Jury and former Federal Chancellor of Germany, during a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on July 11th. The event was attended by dignitaries including the President of Portugal and other government officials, alongside experts from around the world.
• The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF), a state-wide program of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has been recognized for its significant contributions to global food security, climate resilience, and ecosystem protection. This initiative specifically supports smallholder farmers, with a focus on empowering predominantly women farmers.