16th AUGUST 2023 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Union Cabinet approves allocation of Rs 13,000 crore for Prime Minister's Vishwakarma scheme
- The Union Cabinet has approved the allocation of Rs.13 thousand crores for the Prime Minister's Vishwakarma scheme. Around 30 lakh workers in traditional handicrafts such as weavers, jewellers, tool makers, washermen, hair dressers will be benefited through this scheme.
- The scheme consists of two phases. In the first phase, those who want to join the scheme will be trained with a stipend of Rs.500 per day. It offers everything from basic training to advanced training.
- In addition, Rs 15,000 assistance will be given to purchase modern equipment. Also, a loan of up to Rs.1 lakh will be provided at a minimum interest rate of 5 percent. In the second phase, they will be given a loan of up to Rs.2 lakh.
- With a view to promote green mobility, the Union Cabinet approved the Prime Minister e-Bus Service to increase city bus operations. A total of 10,000 electric buses will be operated in 169 cities under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- Meanwhile, under the scheme's 'Green Urban Mobility Initiative' infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-based automatic toll collection systems will reportedly be upgraded in 181 cities.
- The scheme will cover cities with a population of 3 lakh and above. Preference will be given to cities without organized bus service. The total cost of this project is fixed at Rs.57,613 crore. In this, the central government will provide Rs.20,000 crore.
- The Union Cabinet has approved 7 multi-tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways at an estimated cost of Rs 32,500 crore. These schemes will be fully funded by the Central Government and will cover 39 districts in 9 states of the country (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal).
- The proposed projects aim to extend the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 km. They also aim to increase the capacity of the existing track, streamline train operations, reduce congestion and ease travel and traffic.
- The Union Cabinet has also approved the Digital India Extension Project at a cost of Rs 14,903 crore. This expanded program aims to re-skill and upskill 6.25 lakh IT professionals and train 2.65 lakh persons in information security.
- Multilingual translation tool powered by artificial intelligence AI technology - Multilingual notification - 22 Scheduled VIII languages will be published. Also, 9 supercomputers will be included under the National Supercomputing Initiative.
- The scheme also aims to support 1,200 new startups in Tier 2/3 cities. The government's DigiLocker platform, which allows access to digital versions of various documents including driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates, will be expanded into a complete app for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to digitally verify and retrieve their documents.
- The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Modi has approved the signing and acceptance of a mutual recognition agreement between the Central Government's Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Department of Revenue and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Australian Government, which includes the Australian Border Force.
- The arrangement aims to provide mutual benefits to recognized and trusted exporters of both countries. At the same time it will provide more facilities for trade on a global level. This arrangement will benefit our exporters to Australia, thereby improving the trade relationship between the two countries.
- This arrangement shall come into force from the date of signature by the authorized representatives of the two countries. A copy of the proposed mutual recognition arrangement has been finalized with the approval of the customs administrations of both countries.
- Prime Minister Mr. The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Narendra Modi was informed about the Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 4, 2023 between the Central Drug Quality Control Organization, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union Government and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Suriname in the field of pharmaceutical product regulation. It was signed during the President's visit to Suriname. The Union Cabinet has approved this.
- This MoU will lead to export of pharmaceutical products and earn foreign exchange. It will be an attempt towards a self-reliant India.
- Consolidation of regulatory procedures will help boost exports of pharmaceuticals from India. This in turn will help create better job opportunities for educated professionals in the pharmaceutical industry.
- The MoU signed between the regulatory authorities of the two countries will facilitate better understanding of the regulation of medicinal products related to drugs, including pharmaceutical raw materials, biologics, medical devices and cosmetic products.
- This MoU will promote information exchange and cooperation on pharmaceutical products and related administrative and regulatory matters.
- Prime Minister Mr. In a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Narendra Modi, the MoU between the Union Ministry of Youth Welfare and Sports and the Australian Government's Department of Health and Geriatric Care was approved for cooperation in the field of sports.
- The agreement will facilitate bilateral exchange programs in sports between India and Australia, expanding knowledge and expertise in sports science, technologies and infrastructure. The agreement will also cover athlete and coach training and development, sports governance and integrity, major sporting events and diversity.
- This will lead to improved performance of our athletes in international competitions and strengthening India-Australia bilateral relations. The benefits of bilateral sports cooperation with Australia are equally applicable to all athletes irrespective of caste, religion, region and gender.
