NATIONAL:
1. Farmers Protest
Why in news – Protesting farmers from Punjab are set to reach the national capital New Delhi.
Key Points –
• One of the key demands is a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP).
• MSP was introduced first by the Center in 1966-67 on the recommendations of the K Jha Committee (1964).
• MSP announced for 22 crops (MSP) + 1 sugarcane (Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)).
About MSP –
• To protect the farmers, the Government of India announces MSP before each crop sowing season.
• The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (M/o Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) recommends MSP (& FRP for sugar) and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
chaired by PM approves & announces MSP.
CACP’s Computation Method is –
2. Scheduled Tribes Reservation
Why in news – The Parliament passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Key Points –
• It provides Scheduled Tribe status to the Pahari Ethnic Group, Padari Tribes, Koli and Gadda Brahmin of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Gujjars and Bakarwals are other Scheduled Tribe in Jammu and Kashmir.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Qatar Espionage Charges
Why in news – Qatar freed 8 ex-Indian Navy men jailed on espionage charges.
Key Points –
• 8 Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company were detained in Qatar and sentenced to death.
• They were charged with spying for Israel.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
Why in news – The Union Cabinet approved the "Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)".
Key Points –
• It is a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada.
• Its objective is formalization of the fisheries sector and supporting fisheries micro and small enterprises.
• It will invest over Rs. 6,000 crores over the next 4 years (2023-24 to FY 2026-27) in all States/Union Territories.
• 50% i.e., Rs.3,000 crore will come from public finance including the World Bank and the AFD external financing, and the rest 50% i.e., Rs.3,000 crore will come from the beneficiaries/private sector leverage.
• Intended Beneficiaries - Fish (Aquaculture) Farmers, Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs), SHGs etc.
2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Why in news – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched the Agri-Insurance Sandbox Framework Platform SARTHI under PMFBY.
Key Points –
• The ministry also launched "Kisan Rakshak Helpline 14447 and Portal" and a Learning Management System (LMS) Platform for the farming community.
• Krishi Rakshak Portal enables real-time resolution of grievances related to compensation delays and insurance queries.
• SARTHI extends digital insurance coverage to health, life, home, shop, agriculture implements, motor, and parametric products of farmers.
• The Learning Management System (LMS) provides essential skills and knowledge needed for efficient crop insurance and agricultural credit.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. WHO Nelson Mandela Award
Why in news – The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has been awarded the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024.
Key Points –
• The award recognizes individuals, institutions, and governmental or non-governmental organizations that have demonstrated remarkable contributions to health
promotion.
• It was given by the World Health Organisation.
About NIMHANS -
• NIMHANS is the apex center for mental health and neuroscience education in the country.
• NIMHANS is located in Bangalore, Karnataka.
2. K Nambiar Award-2024
Why in news – ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has been awarded the prestigious K.P.P. Nambiar Award.
Key Points –
• The award was presented by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Nawaf Salam
Why in news – Lebanese Judge Nawaf Salam was elected president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Key Points –
• He succeded American Judge Joan E. Donoghue.
• Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda was elected vice-president of the ICJ.
• The UN's top court ICJ, comprises 15 judges elected to 9-year terms by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Unani Day 2024
Why in news – World Unani Day is celebrated on February 11.
Key Points –
• Theme - Unani Medicine for One Earth, One Health.
• It honours the famous Indian Unani scholar Hakim Ajmal Khan marking on his birth anniversary.
• In India, Unani (Origin - Greece) was introduced by Arabs and Persians sometime around the 11th century.
2. Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi addressed a program on the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayananda Saraswati on February 12, 2024.
Key Points –
• Dayanand Saraswati (born - Mool Shankar Tiwari) was a religious leader and founder of the Arya Samaj.
• He wrote 3 books viz. Satyarth Prakash, Veda Bhasya Bhumika and Veda Bhashya.
• He was the first to give the call for Swaraj as “Indian for India” in 1876.
• Based on his teachings, in 1885 the first DAV School was established at Lahore.
• He believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas and advocated the doctrine of Karma and Reincarnation.
SPORTS:
1. Neeraj Chopra Plaque
Why in news – Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been honored with a plaque at the famous Ice Palace at Jungfraujoch, Switzerland.
Key Points –
• Plaque is a flat piece of stone or metal, usually with names and dates on it. It is fixed on a wall in memory of a famous person or event.
• The famous Ice Palace at Jungfraujoch, known as the ‘Top of Europe’, in Switzerland.
STATES/UTs:
1. UP Semiconductor Policy 2024
Why in news – Uttar Pradesh has introduced a semiconductor policy.
Key Points –
• It aims to make Uttar Pradesh a hub of semiconductor ecosystem and aiding the country’s push towards chip manufacturing.
• The policy is valid for 5 years.
• The demand for semiconductors is likely to reach USD 100 billion by 2025.
• With this, UP becomes the 4th state to have a semiconductor policy after Gujarat, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
BIHAR:
1. Floor Test
Why in news – Bihar CM Nitish Kumar won the trust vote for his NDA-led government by 129 votes in Bihar Assembly on February 12, 2024.
Key Points –
• In a 243-member Bihar Assembly, obtaining a majority means having at least 122 seats.
• The Composite Floor Test is conducted only when more than one person stakes a claim to form the government.
Value Addition -
• A floor test (also called a ‘trust vote’) is held to find out whether the government still retains the confidence of the House.
• When the House is in session, it is the Speaker who can call for a floor test.
• But when the Assembly is not in session, the Governor’s residuary powers under Article 163 allow him to call for a floor test.
• In Shivraj Singh Chouhan & Ors versus Speaker case (2020), the Supreme Court upheld the powers of the Speaker to call for a floor test if there is a prima facie view that the government has lost its majority.
2. Economic Survey Report 2023-24
Why in news – Deputy CM cum Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary tabled 18th Bihar Economic Survey 2023-24 before the budget session.
Key Points –
• The gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Bihar grew by 15.5% to Rs 7.5 lakh crore, whereas the real GSDP is estimated to grow by 10.6% to Rs 4.4 lakh crore in 2022-2023.
• The per capita income in the state is Rs 59,637.
• Highest Per capita Income (PCI) – Patna (1st), Begusarai (2nd), Munger (3rd).
• Lowest Per capita Income (PCI) – Sheohar (last), Araraia, Sitamarhi.
• Bihar's share in the total population of the country is 9.4%.
• Population density in 2023 increased to 1388 people per sq. km of land area.
• There are an estimated 953 women per thousand men.
• The urbanization rate in Bihar is 17.1%, which is higher than the national average.
• Patna district has the highest urban population (44.3%).
• The size of air transport has jumped seven times from Rs 30 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 228 crore in 2022-23.
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