Current Affairs - August 7, 2024 Current Affairs

Maharashtra's State Cabinet approved the Prisons and Correctional Services Bill to be enacted as an Ordinance. This new Bill aims to modernize the state's prison operations, replacing the outdated Prisons Act of 1894. The current system suffers from significant overcrowding, housing 40,428 prisoners in facilities designed for only 27,110. The new legislation is based on the Union's Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, and aims to address these issues comprehensively.

On August 4, 2024, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that Haryana would become the first state in India to implement a comprehensive MSP policy, covering all crops. This policy expansion, adding nine additional crops to the previously covered 14, aims to provide a robust safety net for farmers, encourage crop diversification, and protect against market price fluctuations, marking a significant shift in agricultural policy ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Coal India Limited (CIL) and GAIL (India) Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Coal to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) plant in Raniganj, West Bengal. This plant aims to produce 80,000 Nm3 per hour of SNG by utilizing 1.9 million tonnes of coal annually. This initiative aligns with the National Coal Gasification Mission and supports the Atmanirbhar mission by reducing dependency on natural gas imports.

Australia has announced the Maitri Research and Cultural Partnerships Grants to foster collaboration with India. These grants support projects in sustainable manufacturing, energy transition research, and artistic endeavours, with the goal of strengthening bilateral ties and promoting closer cooperation between the two nations. The initiative underscores the importance of human connections and people-to-people links, as highlighted by Minister Penny Wong and Tim Thomas, CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations.

The Boilers Bill, of 2024, introduced in Rajya Sabha, aims to replace the Boilers Act of 1923. The new bill seeks to modernize boiler regulations and enhance safety standards. It decriminalizes certain offences, simplifies provisions to facilitate ease of doing business, and mandates the employment of qualified personnel for boiler repairs to ensure worker safety.

National Javelin Day is celebrated on August 7 to commemorate Neeraj Chopra’s historic achievement of winning India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in track and field on August 7, 2021. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) declared this day to honour Chopra’s momentous javelin throw of 87.58 metres, which not only secured the gold medal but also inspired future generations of athletes.

The Government of India has completed and operationalized four major projects under the Namami Gange Mission 2.0 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024-25 in the states of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar. These projects, costing Rs. 920 crores, aim to rejuvenate the River Ganga by adding sewage treatment capacity, improving sewer networks, and intercepting drains. Key projects in Munger (Bihar) and Mirzapur (UP) focus on improving water quality and reducing pollution, thus enhancing the ecological health of the Ganga and its tributaries.

India exported its first GI-tagged fig juice to Poland, marking a significant achievement for Indian agriculture. This follows the earlier success of exporting GI-tagged Purandar figs to Hong Kong, highlighting the potential for Indian agricultural products in global markets. The exports were facilitated by Purandar Highlands Farmers Producer Company Ltd, with support from the Indian government. This milestone not only showcases the quality of Indian figs but also opens new opportunities for expanding the global reach of Indian agricultural products.

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate, was appointed to lead Bangladesh's interim government following the resignation and flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This decision was made after a meeting involving President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders, and student leaders, amidst a mass uprising primarily led by students. Yunus agreed to step in, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the students and the critical situation facing the country.

The Madras High Court declared Section 77-A of the Registration Act, 1908 unconstitutional, citing concerns about the excessive quasi-judicial power it granted to District Registrars. Introduced through a 2022 State amendment, Section 77-A allowed District Registrars to cancel property documents registered through fraud or forged revenue records. The court found this provision problematic due to the lack of judicial expertise among Registrars and the potential for bias, which could lead to significant hardship and damage to property owners.

Nagaland and SBI General Insurance signed an MoU to implement the Disaster Risk Transfer Parametric Insurance Solution (DRTPS). This makes Nagaland the first state in India to adopt such a solution, which aims to protect critical infrastructure and mitigate economic losses from disasters, including floods, droughts, mudslides, and damage to property and crops. The agreement covers a three-year period from 2024 to 2027, highlighting the state’s proactive approach to disaster management.

The Indian government has appointed Challa Sreenivasulu Setty as the new Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), succeeding Dinesh Kumar Khara. Setty, who will assume the role on August 28, 2024, has extensive experience in various banking sectors including corporate credit, retail banking, and digital banking. His appointment follows a recommendation from the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) and was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Setty's tenure as Chairman will be for three years, highlighting his seasoned expertise and leadership in the banking industry.

Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera assumed charge as the new Director General of the Assam Rifles, taking over from Lt General P C Nair, who retired after a distinguished career. The Assam Rifles, known as the "Sentinels of the Northeast," play a crucial role in maintaining peace and security in India's northeastern region. Lt Gen Lakhera brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong foundation in the Indian Armed Forces, having been commissioned into the 4 Sikh Light Infantry in 1990.