Current Affairs - National

India has signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance investor confidence, foster stronger economic ties, and provide a stable investment environment. This treaty reduces the arbitration period for foreign investors from five years to three years and extends protections to shares and bonds, broadening the scope of investments covered. The UAE is India's seventh-largest source of foreign investment and has pledged to invest $75 billion in India's infrastructure development sector.

The Union Health Ministry has doubled the monthly nutrition support for TB patients from ₹500 to ₹1,000 under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY). This initiative aims to support TB patients' nutritional requirements during their treatment. The increase in financial support reflects the government's commitment to eliminating TB by 2025, ahead of the global 2030 target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India faces a significant health crisis due to TB, with approximately 480,000 deaths annually. The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana plays a crucial role in addressing this issue.

The Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, visited Arunachal Pradesh and met with the state's Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, in Itanagar on October 6, 2024. The focus of the visit was to explore ways to equip local youth with world-class skills, enhancing their employability and providing better job opportunities. This collaboration emphasizes Australia's commitment to supporting skill development and training initiatives in the region, strengthening bilateral ties between India and Australia.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched in September 2018 as a flagship scheme of the Indian government, aiming to provide health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This initiative targets India’s bottom 40% poor and vulnerable population, offering cashless treatment in both public and private empanelled hospitals. The scheme ensures that beneficiaries receive an e-card for seamless access to healthcare services, with eligibility determined by various socio-economic criteria, enhancing healthcare access and financial protection for those in need.

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs in India. This mission aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the urban poor by focusing on skill development and entrepreneurship. It specifically targets six groups, including construction workers, gig workers, waste management workers, care workers, domestic workers, and transportation workers. The program has successfully mobilized millions of urban poor women and formed numerous Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across various towns in India, highlighting its significance in enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable urban populations.