NATIONAL NEWS

India's National Scheme for Power Distribution and Renewable Energy Expansion

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is developing a national scheme for power distribution as part of India’s push to meet rising electricity demand through renewable energy.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal announced this initiative, which aligns with India's broader goal of establishing 600 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

India’s peak power demand is projected to reach 708 GW by 2047, nearly three times the current demand.

The CEA aims to create 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, increasing to 600 GW by 2032.

The CEA’s plan represents an investment opportunity worth ₹9 trillion.

For the first time, the CEA is working on a National Electricity Plan to streamline power distribution, which has traditionally been managed at the state level.

This initiative is designed to enhance coordination between central and state governments, as well as the private sector.

Delhi Implements Total Firecracker Ban to Tackle Winter Air Pollution

The Delhi government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacturing, storage, selling, and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers, including online sales, effective until January 1, 2025.

The Delhi police have been tasked with enforcing the ban strictly and are required to submit daily action-taken reports to a designated committee.

The firecracker ban is one of the measures under the Delhi government's Winter Action Plan 2024 aimed at combating air pollution.

For the first time, drones will be used for real-time air quality monitoring at various pollution hotspots across the city.

The plan includes monitoring of pollution hotspots, controlling vehicle emissions, dust pollution, stubble and garbage burning, and industrial pollution.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

S.Jaishnakar Attends 23rd SCO Council of Heads Of Government Meeting

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishanakar represented India at the 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations (SCO) Council of Heads of Government, held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 16 October 2024.

 The two-day meeting, held on 15and16 October 2024, was hosted by the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif.

Pakistan did not invite Afghanistan, as its observer status in the SCO has been suspended since 2021.

The SCO has two main bodies- SCO Heads of State Council and SCO Heads of Government Council.

The SCO Heads of State Council is the supreme decision-making body of the SCO.

It deals with political issues such as the organisation's objective and functioning, its relationship with other States and international organisations, and its position on various international issues.

The SCO Heads of State Council meeting is held annually, and the Indian Prime Minister attends it.

The 24th SCO Heads of State Council meeting was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 4 July 2024, and the 25th SCO Heads of State Council meeting will be held in China in 2025.

The SCO Heads of Government Council (Prime Minister) is the second most important body of the SCO. It deals with economic, trade, and connectivity issues and approves the organisation's budget.

149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and emphasised the need for multilateralism in the world.

The 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was held at the IPUs headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13 to 17 October 2024. The IPU is the global organisation of the National Parliaments.

The Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is an annual meeting in which all the members of the IPU and its various committees, including the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, participate.

The Assembly provides a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanise parliamentary action.

The theme of the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future.

Australia's New Working Holiday Visa Program for Indian Youth

Australia has introduced a new First Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) for Indian citizens, enabling young Indians aged 18 to 30 to work and holiday in Australia for up to one year.

This initiative, part of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), strengthens the economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 are eligible to apply.

A total of 1,000 visas will be allocated annually to successful applicants.

The registration period for the visa ballot is from October 1 to October 31, 2024.

The visa allows working or studying short-term while spending a year in Australia.

 

DEFENCE

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Achieves Maharatna Status

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been upgraded to Maharatna status, becoming the 14th Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) to receive this classification in India.

This upgrade marks a significant achievement for HAL, enhancing its role in the Indian aerospace and defence sector.

The upgrade was approved by the Finance Minister, following recommendations from:

Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) led by the Finance Secretary.

Apex Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

HAL gains greater operational autonomy, higher investment capabilities, and strategic flexibility.

The company can now invest up to ₹5,000 crore or 15% of its net worth in a single project without needing government approval.

The Government of India introduced the ‘Navratna’ scheme in 1997 to identify and support CPSEs with competitive advantages.

Launch of 'Samarthak,' the First Ship of the Multi-Purpose Vessel Project by LandT

The first ship of the two Multi-Purpose Vessel projects, being built by Larsen and Toubro Limited (L&T), Shipyard for the Indian Navy, was launched on 14 Oct 24 at L&T, Kattupalli.

The ship has been named ‘ Samarthak ’ which means ‘ Supporter’ and is synonymous with the muti-dimensional role envisaged from the platform.

The contract for two Multi-Purpose Vessels was signed between the Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard on 25 March 2022.

The ship was launched by Mrs. Shashi Tripathi, President of NWWA (Navy Wives Welfare Association).

The ceremony was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.

The launch signifies the Indian Navy's commitment to indigenous shipbuilding in line with the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chief Minister of Haryana

Nayab Singh Saini of the Bharatiya Janata Party was sworn in as the chief minister of Haryana for the second consecutive time on 17 October 2024.

Nayab Singh Saini is the 11th chief minister of Haryana.

The state governor, Bandaru Dattatreya, administered the oath of Office to Nayab Singh Saini and his 13 ministers at a ceremony in Panchkula, Haryana.

Nayab Singh Saini led his party to a historic third consecutive victory in the recently concluded Haryana legislative assembly poll.

The Bharatiya Janata party won 48 seats in the 90-member Haryana assembly.

Chief Executive Officer of Public Procurement Portal GeM

Satya Srinivas, a 1991-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer (Customs & Indirect Taxes), has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) on an additional charge basis.

He is currently serving as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Government of India.

Srinivas is India’s Chief Negotiator for the India-EU and India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

He oversees the Special Economic Zones and the Trade Intelligence & Analytics divisions within the Department of Commerce.

He has taken over the role of CEO following the appointment of the previous CEO, P K Singh, as Secretary in the Ministry of Renewable Energy.

 

OBITUTARY

Indranand Singh Jha, Former Radio Presenter of Akashvani Darbhanga

Indranand Singh Jha, the famous former radio presenter and compere of Akashvani Darbhanga passed away at his ancestral village Chanaur in Darbhanga at the age of 77.

Jha was well-known for his rural radio talk programme called Gamghar, broadcast from Akashvani Darbhanga.

He was affectionately known by his pen name, Khur Khur Bhai.

Jha enjoyed significant popularity among radio listeners, particularly for his engaging style and rural-centric content throughout his career.

His work contributed to the promotion of rural issues and culture through radio, making him a beloved figure in the community.