1. RBI REVOKES LICENSE OF HIRIYUR URBAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK LIMITED
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revoked the license of The Hiriyur Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, a Karnataka-based bank, citing insufficient capital and poor earning prospects. The bank is found to be in violation of various sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, including Sections 11(1), 22(3)(a), 22(3)(b), 22(3)(c), 22(3)(d), and 22(3)(e), along with Section 56.
More on the topic:
As a result of the license cancellation, depositors are eligible for a deposit insurance claim of up to Rs. 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), in accordance with the DICGC Act, 1961. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies (Karnataka) will issue an order for the winding up of the bank and appoint a liquidator for the necessary proceedings.
Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC):
- DICGC, the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, functions as a specialized division within the Reserve Bank of India, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
- Established on July 15, 1978, under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961, its primary objective is to provide deposit insurance and credit guarantee services.
DICGC extends insurance coverage to various types of bank deposits, including savings, fixed, current, and recurring deposits, ensuring protection for each depositor up to the limit of Rs. 500,000. As a fully owned subsidiary, DICGC operates under the governance of the Reserve Bank of India.
2. NEW SOLAR POWER SCHEME FOR PPVTG`s
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced the ‘New Solar Power Scheme,’ allocating Rs 515 crore for the electrification of habitations and villages belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
More on the topic:
This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) program and spans from the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) to Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26).
Features of the New Solar Power Scheme:
- The scheme’s objective is to provide solar power to one lakh un-electrified households identified by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in 18 states and Union Territories across India.
- It includes provisions for 0.3 kilowatt (kW) off-grid solar systems in locations where grid-based power supply is not feasible.
- Solar lighting will be extended to 1,500 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) in PVTG areas where grid electricity is not viable.
- The MNRE’s Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) will fund the implementation of the scheme.
Fund Allocation:
- Out of the total fund, Rs 20 crore is earmarked for FY24, Rs 255 crore for FY25, and Rs 240 crore for FY26. Among the Rs 515 crore, Rs 500 crore will be utilized for electrifying tribal houses, incorporating the installation of 0.3 kW solar off-grid systems for one lakh PVTG houses.
- Additionally, for the second component of the scheme, Rs 15 crore will be allocated for providing solar street lighting in 1,500 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) in tribal areas.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN):
- Launched in November 2023, PM-JANMAN is overseen by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA).
- The scheme focuses on reaching out to tribal groups and primitive tribes, addressing 11 critical interventions across nine ministries, including MNRE.
- The government provides Rs 50,000 per household or the actual cost for the electrification of houses.
For solar lighting, Rs 1 lakh per MPC will be provided by the government.
3. STATUS OF ADIVASI LIIVELIHIOODS (SAL) REPORT 2022
The PRADAN non-profit organization recently released the Status of Adivasi Livelihoods (SAL) Report, 2022, focusing on the livelihood status of Scheduled Tribes in India’s central belt. Key highlights of the report include:
More on the topic:
- The SAL Report, 2022 is based on a household survey covering 6,019 households.
- Adivasi households in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have an average annual income significantly lower than the national average annual income per agricultural household during the agricultural year 2018-19.
- In Chhattisgarh, the food and other items consumed by an Adivasi household in a year have a market price of almost Rs 18,000. Only around 13% of this amount is spent by households, with the remaining 87% subsidized by the government.
- In Madhya Pradesh, Adivasi households procure goods from the Public Distribution System (PDS) worth Rs 10,000 market price annually, spending only 22% of the amount.
- Food insecurity is reported in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, with higher percentages in certain categories, such as 32% of Adivasi households in Madhya Pradesh.
- In Madhya Pradesh’s west, dominated by the Bhil community, the average household income is 1.5 times higher than other regions of the state.
- Adivasi women have more autonomy than their non-Adivasi counterparts, but they bear a significant workload in household chores and livelihood activities. Gender discrimination persists in decision-making and customary practices.
Bhil Tribes:
- The Bhil are one of the largest tribal groups residing in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
- The name Bhil is derived from the word ‘billu,’ meaning bow, showcasing their excellence in archery and deep knowledge of local geography.
- Traditionally skilled in guerrilla warfare, most Bhils are now engaged in farming, agricultural labor, and sculpture.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
PVTGs are more vulnerable among tribal groups, requiring additional development funds. The Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) in 1973, later renamed PVTGs in 2006 by the Government of India. These groups need targeted support for their development due to their increased vulnerability.
PRELIMS BITES:
1. TAIWAN`S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President, William Lai Ching-te, emerged victorious in the presidential election, securing 40.05% of the vote. At 64 years old, Lai Ching-te has held the position of Vice President since 2020 and is set to succeed the current President, Tsai Ing-Wen, who made history as Taiwan’s first female president.
More on the topic:
- The formal inauguration ceremony is scheduled for May 2024 in Taiwan, and William Lai Ching-te is poised to serve a four-year term until 2028. In the election, Lai Ching-te outpaced his competitors, with Huo Yu-ih from the Kuomintang party securing 33.5% of the votes, and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party obtaining 26.5%.
- This victory marks the Democratic Progressive Party’s historic achievement as the first party in Taiwan to secure three consecutive terms in office. The DPP previously took office in 2016 during Tsai Ing-Wen’s first term, followed by her second term from 2020 to 2024.
- William Lai Ching-te’s political career includes being elected as the first mayor of Tainan Special Municipality in 2010. He assumed the role of the 15th Vice President of Taiwan in 2020 and has been serving as the Chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party since January 2023.
As of now, the current President of Taiwan is Tsai Ing-Wen, and the capital is Taipei, with the official currency being the New Taiwan Dollar.
2. OPERATION AMRITH OF KERALA
The Drug Control Department in Kerala has launched Operation AMRITH to address the issue of antibiotic overuse. As part of this initiative, pharmacies are required to maintain accurate records of antibiotic sales, and they must display a poster stating ‘antibiotics not sold without doctor’s prescription.’
More on the topic:
- Additionally, the public is encouraged to report any instances of non-compliance with these measures to the Drug Control Department.
- In 2018, Kerala became the first state in India to introduce the KARSAP state action plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), aligning with the National Action Plan on AMR.
- The Kerala government has implemented various initiatives in line with its commitment to addressing the issue of antibiotic resistance, including the Antibiotic Literate Kerala Campaign, the establishment of block-level AMR Committees in all 191 blocks, the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (KARS-NET), the inauguration of an AMR laboratory by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, and the Programme on Removal of Unused Drugs (PROUD) for proper disposal of unused antibiotics.
3. FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS 2023
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 ceremony took place in London, United Kingdom, on January 15, 2024. The winners include Lionel Messi from Argentina, who secured the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023 Award, and Aitana Bonmati from Spain, who received the Best FIFA Women’s Player 2023 Award.
More on the topic:
- Marta from Brazil was honored with the FIFA Special Award in acknowledgment of her outstanding career achievements.
- Guilherme Madruga from Brazil received the FIFA Puskás Award 2023 for his remarkable overhead kick.
- The FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 and FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11, known as the world ‘Dream Team,’ were also unveiled.
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA):
- President: Gianni Vincenzo Infantino
- Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
Established: 1904
4. FERTILISING THE FUTURE, A BOOK BY MANSUKH MANDAVIYA
Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President of India, has unveiled a new book titled ‘Fertilising the Future: Bharat’s March Towards Fertilizer Self-Sufficiency,’ authored by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who oversees the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F).
More on the topic:
- The Hindi version of the book is titled ‘Urvarak- Atmanirbharta ki Raah.’
The book, published by Rupa Publications India, chronicles India’s journey toward achieving self-sufficiency in the fertilizer sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
