9th July, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Government Mandates BIS Standards For Stainless Steel And Aluminium Utensils

• The Government of India has mandated that all stainless steel and aluminium utensils conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• According to a press release by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, this directive, effective from March 14, 2024, under the Quality Control Order issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, makes the ISI mark compulsory for these utensils.
• The BIS has recently developed a comprehensive set of standards for essential kitchen items, reflecting its dedication to ensuring that all utensils adhere to stringent quality and safety benchmarks. By introducing these standards, the BIS aims to support the diverse culinary practices in India while ensuring that all kitchen utensils deliver superior performance and safety for consumers.
• Performance Parameters include tests such as the staining test, mechanical shock test, thermal shock test, dry heat test, coating thickness test, nominal capacity test, flame stability test, and specific tests for utensils with tempered glass lids.

INTERNATIONAL
India Gears Up for Malabar Showdown with ‘Quad’ Allies Amid Rising China Tensions

• India is gearing up to host the prestigious Malabar naval exercise alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia in the Bay of Bengal this October. This comes amidst escalating regional tensions fueled by China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and its expanding footprint across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The 28th edition of the exercise will focus on advanced anti-submarine warfare and aims to enhance military interoperability among the four countries.

Philippines and Japan Strengthen Security Ties with New Agreement

• The Philippines and Japan have taken a big step in their security relationship. They signed a new deal that allows their military forces to enter each other’s countries more easily. This comes at a time when there are growing concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
• This is Japan’s first such agreement in Asia.
• It will start working after both countries’ lawmakers approve it.
• A Japanese military presence in the Philippines could help balance China’s influence in the South China Sea.
• China claims large parts of the South China Sea, which conflicts with claims of several Southeast Asian countries.
• Both the Philippines and Japan are close allies of the United States.
• They have taken strong positions against what they see as aggressive behavior by Chinese ships in disputed waters.

Three Mongolian Parties Sign MoU To Form Coalition Govt

• In Mongolia, the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), and the Hun Party, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a coalition government.
• Following the ninth parliamentary elections that was held on June 28, the MPP secured a narrow margin of victory, winning 68 of the 126 seats,  the DP obtained 42 seats while the Hun Party secured eight seats, with the Civil Will-Green Party and the National Coalition each securing four seats.
• According to the parties, the decision to form a coalition government aims to swiftly address Mongolia’s development challenges, consider the critical international relations and geopolitical situation, and emphasise national unity.

Also Read: Top 30 MCQs on Ministries and Their Portfolios 2024: Who handles the Ministry of Heavy Industries?

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ECONOMY
RBI Launches Quarterly Manufacturing Survey for Q2 2024

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced its quarterly “Order Books, Inventories and Capacity Utilisation Survey” (OBICUS) for the manufacturing sector, aimed at informing monetary policy decisions. Since 2008, this survey has provided crucial insights into key metrics such as new orders, inventory levels, and capacity utilisation across manufacturing companies.
• With OBICUS ongoing since 2008, the RBI reaffirms its commitment to comprehensively understanding and responding to the dynamics of India’s manufacturing landscape. This initiative underscores the central bank’s proactive approach to economic policymaking.

Tata Power Launches ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ Initiative in Uttar Pradesh

• Tata Power Solar Systems Limited has launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh, starting from Varanasi, aimed at providing every home with clean energy through rooftop solar solutions. This initiative promises substantial financial savings and environmental benefits for residents.
• Residents can avail a maximum subsidy of up to Rs. 1,08,000 on rooftop solar installation, combining Central and State Government subsidies.
• Tata Power Solar aims to accelerate solar rooftop adoption across India, aligning with national goals for sustainable energy. Their comprehensive offerings include a 25-year warranty on modules, quality assurance, and extensive after-sales support.