28th March, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
DigiClaim Module Under PMFBY

On March 24, 2023, Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar launched the National Crop Insurance Portal’s digitized claim settlement module ‘DigiClaim’ in New Delhi, India. The module falls under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and will disburse claims electronically, benefitting farmers from six states. The launch marks a revolutionary step towards ensuring that farmers can receive claim amounts digitally in a time-bound and automated manner, making them self-reliant and empowered.
At the launch, Union Minister Tomar informed that with the DigiClaim Module, insurance claims totaling Rs 1260.35 crore have been disbursed on March 23, 2023, to insured farmers in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana with the click of a button. The process will continue as and when the claims are released. With this launch, the automated claim settlement process will be an ongoing activity to ease all insured farmers’ lives and provide them with a sustainable financial flow and support.

Govt constitutes Committee to monitor stock of Tur pulses held by importers, millers, and traders

The Government has constituted a Committee to monitor the stock of Tur held by entities such as importers, millers, stockists, and traders in close coordination with the state governments.
The decision has come against the backdrop of reports of market players not releasing stocks despite the regular arrival of imports in good quantities. The Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary Nidhi Khare.

Parliament approves Union Budget for 2023-24 with Lok Sabha clearing Finance Bill as amended by Rajya Sabha

Parliament has completed budgetary exercise for the year 2023-24 with Rajya Sabha returning the Finance Bill 2023 amid din without discussion. Lok Sabha had cleared the Finance Bill last week amid continuous protest by the opposition parties.
In Rajya Sabha when the House met after the first adjournment at 2 PM, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Bill. Members from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party were in the well demanding Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani Group issue.
Members from TMC, BRS, DMK, Left and others were on their feet. Amid ruckus, the Upper House took up the Bill which was returned to the Lok Sabha with one amendment. Later, when the Lok Sabha met after first adjournment at 4 PM, the House accepted the amendment in the Finance Bill 2023 with voice vote.
Rajya Sabha also returned the Appropriation Bills 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bills 2023 to the Lok Sabha with voice vote without discussion

INTERNATIONAL
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu announces suspension of judicial reforms following nationwide protests

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to suspend a planned judiciary reform until the next parliament session after nationwide protests. Mr Netanyahu made the announcement after two days of large protests against the plan.
He wants to give himself and his political opponents time to seek a compromise over the contentious package. Israeli president Isaac Herzog welcomed the pause and said it is time for frank, serious and responsible discussion that will lead urgently to calming the angers.
Immediately after Mr Netanyahu’s statement, the head of the country’s largest trade union said it would call off a general strike that threatened to grind Israel’s economy to a halt.

Hungarian lawmakers voted on Monday to support Finland's accession to NATO

Hungarian lawmakers voted to support Finland's accession to NATO, putting an end to months of delays and bringing the Nordic country one step closer to becoming a full member of the Western military alliance.
Hungary's parliament ratified Finland's application to join the military alliance.The measure passed with 182 votes for and six against, came after NATO and the European Union repeatedly postponing the vote after nearly all other alliance members ratified Finland's bid.
Turkey is now the only one of NATO's 30 members not to have ratified Finland's NATO accession.
Full unanimity is required to admit a new member into the alliance.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Marburg Virus: Tanzania Reports its First-Ever Outbreak

Tanzania has recently confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus, a highly contagious and deadly virus that causes viral hemorrhagic fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the confirmation by Tanzania’s national public laboratory followed the death of five people in the northwest Kagera region who developed symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, bleeding, and renal failure. Here’s what you need to know about the Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania.
Marburg virus is an Ebola-like virus that causes viral hemorrhagic fever. The virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a disease with a case fatality ratio of up to 88%, but can be much lower with good patient care. Both Marburg and Ebola viruses are members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus), and the two diseases are clinically similar.

ENVIRONMENT
Gaj Utsav 2023 – Celebrating 30 Years of Project Elephant

The Indian Government is set to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Project Elephant with the Gaj Utsav 2023. This two-day event aims to promote elephant conservation, protect their habitat and corridors, and prevent human-elephant conflicts. It will also ensure the welfare of captive elephants in India.
The Gaj Utsav 2023 will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on April 9 at Kaziranga National Park in Assam. This event is significant as Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the highest density of tigers in the world.
Project Elephant is a centrally-sponsored scheme launched in 1991-92 to protect elephants and their habitats in India. With an estimated population of 30,000-40,000 elephants, India accounts for more than 60 per cent of the global wild elephant population. Elephants are considered a national heritage animal protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

SPORTS
Mumbai Indians lift inaugural Women's Premier League trophy beating Delhi Capitals

In Cricket, Mumbai Indians have won the inaugural Women's Premier League. They defeated Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in the Summit Clash at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai last evening.
Chasing a target of 132 runs, Mumbai Indians overhauled the score, posting 134 for 3 in 19.3 overs. For Mumbai, Nat Sciver-Brunt was the highest scorer who remained not out at 60. Earlier, opting to bat first, Delhi scored 131 for 9 in stipulated 20 overs. Delhi Skipper Meg Lanning was the top scorer with 35 runs followed by Radha Yadav who contributed 27 runs.

ANDHRAPRADESH
Andhra govt sets up panel to study report suggesting three capitals

The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday set up a 'high-power committee’ to examine recommendations of the G. N. Rao-led expert committee on decentralization of the state’s capital between Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool.
The latest development comes after the state cabinet, led by chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, on 27 December deferred a decision to relocate the capital.
On 20 December, the expert committee, formed by the state government to look into AP’s development, recommended having Visakhapatnam as the executive capital and Kurnool (in Rayalaseema region) as the legal capital, where the High Court would be, and Amaravati as the legislative capital (where the state assembly and governor’s office will be located).
According to the order issued by Nilam Sawhney, chief secretary, AP government, the new committee will comprise Buganna Rajendranath, state minister for finance and legislative affairs, Audimulapu Suresh, state education minister, director general of police, chief secretary, secretary (municipal administration and urban development) and others. The committee will also “take into account the recommendations of Boston Consultancy Group while finalizing the strategy and way forward".

Published date : 28 Mar 2023 04:12PM