Health Ministers Discretionary Grant (HMDG):

According to HMDG, a subsidy of up to Rs 1.25 lakhs is provided to patients with an annual income of less than Rs 1.25 lakhs

By providing their Ration Card number, beneficiaries can apply for financial assistance under both schemes.

In a virtual ceremony, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched a number of initiatives to give a major boost to the SATAT initiative.

The goal of the SATAT scheme is to establish Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production Plants and make CBG available on the market for use as a green fuel.

By 2023, SATAT aims to produce 15 MMT of CBG from 5000 plants.

It has the potential to increase the availability of low-cost transportation fuels, as well as make better use of agricultural waste, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste.

It will also provide an of 175,000 crore rupees, which is an additional Source Of Income for farmers, as well as 75,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs.

The Union Cabinet has approved the MoUs/agreements signed by India.

Highlights:

Cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development between India and the Maldives.

All Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries have reached an agreement.

Cooperation in the field of mineral Resources between India and Argentina.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between India and Japan on sustainable urban development.

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS):

It is a comprehensive Health Scheme for Serving Employees, Members of Parliament, ex-MPs, Pensioners, and others, as well as their dependent family members.
It has expanded to 72 cities in the last 7 years.
The NIC-developed e-referral module has enabled CGHS dispensaries and wellness centres to issue online referrals to empanelled hospitals.

Hry has highest inflation rate in region, HP lowest

Despite showing signs of easing, the prices in Haryana continue to remain above the comfort levels for both the rural and urban Population as the state endures a significantly high rate of compared to other states in the region and at the national level.

The sustained high level of inflation has put a continued strain on the pocket of the Haryana residents, affecting the overall cost of living. Inflation refers to the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time, lowering the purchasing power of consumers and pushing the cost of living.

Despite the rate falling below theReserve Bank of Indias (RBI) upper Tolerance limit of 6%, the inflation rate of the state remained higher than the all-India level, which stood at 4.70%.

Haryana featured among the states with the high rate of inflation, which was largely pushed by the surge in clothing, fuel and housing prices. Telangana (6.02%) and Uttarakhand (6.04%) are the other states which reeled under significantly higher rates of inflation.

The other states with high rates of inflation include Kerala (5.63%),Tamil Nadu(5.61%),Bihar(5.33), Uttar Pradesh (5.29%) andAndhra Pradesh(5.18%). The price data is collected by the field staff of the NSO by visiting selected 1,114 urban markets and 1,181 villages covering all the states and UTs.

TheReserve Bank of India (RBI)has joined forces with theGlobal Financial Innovation Network (GFIN)to participate in the Greenwashing TechSprint. The event aims to address concerns surrounding exaggerated, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials. The TechSprint will bring together 13 international regulators, firms, and innovators to develop a tool that could help regulators and the market more effectively tackle the risks of greenwashing in financial services.

The RBI will be among the 13 international regulators taking part in GFINs Greenwashing TechSprint. The central bank has invited Indian firms to participate in the event and has opened the application window for all India-based firms and innovators to apply. The window will close on May 21, 2023. RBI will participate in a virtual TechSprint hosted on the Financial Conduct Authoritys (FCA) Digital Sandbox.

The third category:Applicants who are solely seeking a grant to carry out branding and marketing activities in abroad.

The Ministry of Labour & EMPLOYMENT has informed Section 142 of the Social Security Code, 2020, which addresses Aaadhar’s applicability.

The Ministry will be able to collect Aaadhar information for the Database of beneficiaries under various social security schemes as a result of the section’s notification.

The first supply of UCO (Used Cooking Oil) based Biodiesel blended Diesel under the EOI Scheme was flagged off by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas from Indian Oil’s Tikrikalan Terminal in Delhi.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be made from vegetable oils, animal fats, tallow, and waste cooking oil, and is similar to traditional or “fossil” diesel.

Another benefit of Biodiesel is that it is carbon-neutral, meaning that the oilseed absorbs the same amount of CO2 that is emitted when the fuel is burned in a vehicle.

Biodiesel is also quickly biodegradable and totally non-toxic.

Banarasi Paan, three other Varanasi-based goods receive GI tag

The Benarasi Paan, known for its distinct taste and unique blend of ingredients, has been awarded the GI tag along with three other Varanasi-based products: Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal), and Adamchini Rice. The expert Rajinikant, who is a Padma Awardee in GI, has confirmed the designation of these products

GI status helps in promoting and protecting the unique identity and quality of traditional products from a specific region, and can also help in boosting the local economy by increasing the demand for these products. Its good to see that the government and organizations like are working towards promoting and protecting traditional products from different parts of India.

Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a form of intellectual property protection that is used to recognize products originating from a particular geographical area, and which possess qualities or a reputation that are unique to that area.

New York museum to return 15 antiquities to India

TheMetropolitan Museumof Art inNew Yorkhas announced that it will return 15 antiquities to India, following the revelation that the artefacts were illegally taken from the country.

The works range in date from the 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE and include terracotta, copper, and stone. Among the artefacts are a ceramic pot from Chandraketugarh, a terracotta Yakshi holding a crowned child with visiting parrot from Chandraketugarh, Rattle in form of Crouching Yaksha from Chandraketugarh, and a stone bust of Kamadeva.

National Maritime Day 2023 observed

In India, the National Maritime Week begins on March 30 and culminates in the celebration of National Maritime Day on April 5. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the event, which aims to recognize Indias significant contribution to the maritime and its HISTORY as a seafaring nation.

National Maritime Day plays a crucial role in promoting awareness about Indias maritime heritage and current role in supporting the countrys economy. The day is an opportunity to express gratitude to the sailors who work tirelessly at sea, often spending months away from their families, to ensure the smooth functioning of the industry.

India srilanka annual bilateral maritime exercise (slinex-23)

The 10th edition of IN-SLN bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-23 is scheduled at Colombo from 03 – 08 April 2023. The exercise is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase from 03-05 April 2023, followed by a Sea Phase from 06-08 April 2023. INDIAN NAVY is being represented by INS Kiltan, an indigenous Kamorta class ASW corvette and INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel.

SLINEX aims at enhancing interoperability, improving mutual understanding and exchanging best practices while jointly undertaking multi-faceted maritime operations. Professional, cultural and sporting events, as also social exchanges are planned during the harbour phase to further bolster the of friendship and camaraderie between both the navies.