World Dance Day 2023 Observed On April 29
World Dance Day is a yearly celebration that takes place on April 29th and aims to increase awareness of the importance of dance in many nations and cultures around the world. This occasion, also known as International Dance Day, honours Jean-Georges Noverre, a prominent French dancer and ballet instructor who is credited as the father of modern ballet. The event encourages the development of this artistic expression as well. Read the complete article here
PM Modi Inaugurates ‘NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute’ In Silvassa
Here are the four most important things to know about the recently inaugurated “NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute” in Silvassa town, which is located in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the 203 crore institute, which is located on a 14.48 acre beautiful site. Read the complete article here
3 New Conservation Reserves Declared In Rajasthan
The recent declaration of three regions as conservation reserves by the Rajasthani government has inspired hope for the state’s tourist and wildlife conservation projects. In order to protect rare and endangered species and act as a haven for migrating birds, the government has designated Sorsan in Baran, Khichan in Jodhpur, and Hamirgarh in Bhilwara as conservation reserves. Read the complete article here
Siddhartha Mohanty Is Appointed As Chairman of LIC Until June 2024
According to a statement from LIC, Siddhartha Mohanty has been chosen to lead the Life Insurance Corporation of India through June 29, 2024. Then, until June 7, 2025, he will hold the positions of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The state-run life insurance company’s interim Chairperson has been Mohanty, who is currently the Managing Director, since March 14. M R Kumar, whose term had ended on March 13, 2023, was replaced by him. Read the complete article here
Shri Narayan Rane launches the revamped CGTMSE Scheme
Today in Mumbai, the revamped CGTMSE Scheme was launched by Shri Narayan Rane, the Union Minister for MSME. As per the Union Budget for FY 2023-24, an additional corpus support of ₹9,000 crore has been allocated to CGTMSE to revamp its Scheme and provide guarantee for an additional ₹2 lakh crore to Micro & Small Enterprises.
The lending institutions were briefed about the major revamp measures, which included a 50% reduction in guarantee fees for loans upto ₹1 crore, bringing the minimum guarantee fee to only 0.37% pa. The guarantee ceiling was raised from ₹2 crore to ₹ 5 crore, and the threshold limit for claim settlement without initiating legal action was enhanced to ₹10 lakh.
PM inaugurates 91 new 100W FM Transmitters
Today, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Low Power FM Transmitters with a capacity of 100 Watt at 91 locations, which have been installed in 84 districts across 20 states in India. The new transmitters increase the network of transmitters with All India Radio from 524 to 615, which will further boost the coverage of AIR to 73.5% of the population of the country. Priority has been given to the installation of transmitters in Left Wing Extremism hit areas, Aspirational Districts, and border areas of the country.
The demand for FM radio services in India has increased due to the clear sound quality and easy availability of FM receiver equipped mobile phones. To meet this demand and capacity building of the organization, the government has approved the installation of 63 more FM transmitters in the country.
During the event, the Prime Minister congratulated All India Radio on this achievement and highlighted the significance of the addition. He said that this marks a significant step in the expansion of FM services by All India Radio in the direction of becoming All India FM. The Prime Minister also emphasized that the beginning of 91 FM transmitters is like a present for 85 districts and 2 crore people of the nation.
India’s first cable-stayed bridge Anji Khad will be ready in May this year
The first cable-stayed rail bridge in India will be completed in May of this year, despite numerous deadline extensions, including those in 2017 and 2022.
The Anji Khad bridge’s delayed construction, which has been in the works for twenty years and is a critical connector for a train’s transit between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), is a significant hole in the Indian Railways’ ambitious goal to seamlessly connect Kashmir to the rest of India.
Despite all obstacles, a senior Railway official stated that “all 96 cables have been fully installed as of April 26 in a record time period of eleven months between June 2022 and April 2023.”
Pressing Need To Check Tax Evasion, Illicit Fund Flows By Developing Nations: OECD Report
According to the Tax Transparency report by OECD, there is a critical need to tackle tax evasion and illicit financial flows in the current geopolitical and debt crisis, particularly in Asian nations. The report stated that Asian nations lost an estimated 25 billion euros in revenue in 2016 due to tax evasion and IFFs.
The report also cited a study that showed that 4% of Asia’s financial wealth, which amounts to 1.2 trillion euros, was held offshore, resulting in a potential annual revenue loss of 25 billion euros for the region in 2016.
The Tax Transparency in Asia 2023: Asia Initiative Progress Report highlighted that the fight against tax evasion and IFFs has become more urgent following the COVID-19 pandemic, as the geopolitical crisis has led to slower economic growth and increased government expenditure on public health, social and economic support, and other areas.
