India, US hold 19th military cooperation meeting to boost defence engagements

The two-day-long 19th military cooperation meeting between India and the US has ended in Agra in Uttar Pradesh, the DEFENCE Ministry stated.

The India-US military cooperation group is a forum established to progress defence cooperation between the countries through regular talks at the strategic and operational levels between Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff and the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Defence Ministry mentioned.

China hikes military spending by 7.1%, announces 5.5% GDP target

China announced a 7.1% hike in its DEFENCE spending as well as an annual GDP Growth target of around 5.5% for the coming year.

Chinas Premier and second-ranked leader Li Keqiang announced the GDP target at the opening of the week-long session of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) or Parliament, which approves policies for the coming year.

A draft budget, which the NPC will approve, said defence spending would be hiked by 7.1% to 1.45 trillion Yuan or around $ 230 billion. The military budget was hiked by 6.8% last year when it crossed the $200 billion mark for the first time. Indias military spending this year was announced as around $70 billion, a 4.4% hike from the previous year, although a greater share of Indias defence spending goes towards imports and pensions.

No permission needed to develop infra on forest areas: Green Min to Rlys

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change has clarified that the railways does not need to seek permission to develop Infrastructure on its land in forest areas, after its contradictory orders on the issue created confusion in many states.

This paves the way for the national transporter to execute infrastructure projects even in sensitive forest areas without seeking permission from the Centre.

DGCA nod for HALs new plane Hindustan 228-201

In a boost to aviation sector, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has approved a new variant of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s aircraft ‘Hindustan 228-201 LW.’

Giving details of the nod, the public sector aerospace conglomerate said on Monday, this variant has maximum take-off weight of 5,695 kg with 19 passenger capability. With this modification, the aircraft would fall in the Sub 5,700 kg aircraft category, the Hal said.

E-Sanjeevani app’s 10 cr reach reflects power of India’s digital revolution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the contribution made by E-Sanjeevani app towards treating 10 crore patients by way of tele and video consultations as he spoke on various issues including Swachh Bharat Mission, Tribeni Kumbh Mahotsav, and Ustad Bismillah Khan Youth Award.

The Prime Minister said the country has seen that in the time of Corona, E-Sanjeevani played a pivotal role in giving contact less treatment to the virus affected patients.

Centre directs States to expedite energy efficiency activities in mission mode

The Centre and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) have directed state governments to expedite energy efficiency activities on a mission mode.

In accordance with the Government of Indias policy to increase energy efficiency and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by achieving the countrys https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change targets (Panchamrit), the Union Ministry of Power-led BEE has emphasized the need for all state designated agencies to engage deeply in the energy efficiency movement on a mission mode.

1D Wormhole Corrosion : New Form Of Corrosion

This type of corrosion is characterized by a wormhole-like 1D morphology that can serve as a mass-flow pathway.

The discovery of this type of corrosion is significant for the understanding of material degradation mechanisms in molten salt environments, particularly in relation to next-generation nuclear power Plants that use molten salts as coolants.

The 1D wormhole corrosion is a highly localized form of penetrating corrosion that occurs in a nickel-chromium Alloy when exposed to molten fluoride salt.

Budget Estimates 2023-24:

The total receipts other than borrowings is estimated at Rs 27.2 lakh crore and the total expenditure is estimated at Rs 45 lakh crore.

The net tax receipts are estimated at Rs 23.3 lakh crore.

The is estimated to be 5.9 per cent of GDP.

To finance the fiscal deficit in 2023-24, the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs 11.8 lakh crore.

The gross market borrowings are estimated at Rs 15.4 lakh crore.

Revised Estimates 2022-23:

The total receipts other than borrowings is Rs 24.3 lakh crore, of which the net tax receipts are Rs 20.9 lakh crore.

The total expenditure is Rs 41.9 lakh crore, of which the is about Rs 7.3 lakh crore.

The Fiscal Deficit is 6.4 per cent of GDP, adhering to the Budget Estimate.

To commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a one-time new small savings scheme,Mahila Samman Savings Certificateto be launched. It will offer deposit facility upto Rs 2 lakh in the name of women or girls for tenure of 2 years (up to March 2025) at fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent with partial withdrawal option.

The maximum deposit limit for Monthly Income Account Scheme to be enhanced from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh for single account and from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 15 lakh for joint account.

The entire fifty-year interest free loan to states to be spent on within 2023-24. Part of the loan is conditional on States increasing actual Capital expenditure and parts of outlay will be linked to States undertaking specific loans.

Fiscal Deficit of 3.5% of GSDP allowed for States of which 0.5% is tied to Power sector reforms.

National Financial Information Registryto be set up to serve as the central repository of financial and ancillary information for facilitating efficient flow of credit, promoting financial inclusion, and fostering financial stability. A new legislative framework to be designed in consultation with RBI to govern this credit public infrastructure.

Financial sector regulators to carry out a comprehensive review of existing regulations in consultation with public and regulated entities. Time limits to decide the applications under various regulations would also be laid down.

To enhance business activities in GIFT IFSC, the following measures to be taken.

Delegating powers under the SEZ Act to IFSCA to avoid dual regulation.

Setting up a single window IT system for registration and approval from IFSCA, SEZ authorities, GSTN, RBI, SEBI and IRDAI.

Permitting acquisition financing by IFSC Banking Units of foreign bank.

Establishing a subsidiary of EXIM Bank for trade re-financing.

Amending IFSCA Act for statutory provisions for arbitration, ancillary Services, and avoiding dual regulation under SEZ Act

Recognizing offshore derivative instruments as valid contracts.

Amendments proposed to the Banking Regulation Act, the Banking Companies Act and the Reserve of India Act to improve bank Governance and enhance investors protection.

Countries looking for digital continuity solutions would be facilitated for setting up of their Data Embassies in GIFT IFSC.

SEBI to be empowered to develop, regulate, maintain and enforce norms and standards for Education in the National Institute of Securities Markets and to recognize award of degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Integrated IT portal to be established to enable investors to easily reclaim the unclaimed and unpaid dividends from the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority.