13th MAY 2026 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Rangasamy Sworn in as Chief Minister of Puducherry for the 5th Time
- Following the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly elections, N.R. Congress leader N. Rangasamy was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fifth time.
- During the swearing-in ceremony held at the 'Makkal Maaligai' (People's Palace), the national song, 'Vande Mataram', was sung first. This was followed by the National Anthem, and finally, the 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' (Invocation to Mother Tamil) was sung.
- Lieutenant Governor K. Kailasathan administered the oath of office and the oath of secrecy to Rangasamy as Chief Minister.
- Rangasamy took the oath by invoking the name of God. He waited until 9:47 AM before signing the official documents. Along with the Chief Minister, Namassivayam (representing the BJP) and Malladi Krishna Rao (representing the N.R. Congress) were sworn in as ministers.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing season.
- To ensure remunerative prices for farmers' produce, the Central Government has hiked the Minimum Support Prices for Kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing season.
- Compared to the previous year, the MSP has been increased by ₹622 per quintal for Sunflower Seed, ₹557 per quintal for Cotton, ₹515 per quintal for Niger Seed, and ₹500 per quintal for Sesame.
- This encompasses direct costs including labor wages, machinery rentals, land lease rents, expenses incurred for inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and manure, irrigation costs, and depreciation costs for agricultural tools and farm buildings—as well as other miscellaneous expenses.
- It is estimated that the expected profit margin for farmers over their cost of production will be a maximum of 61 percent for Green Gram (Moong), 56 percent each for Pearl Millet (Bajra) and Maize, and 54 percent for Pigeon Pea (Arhar/Tur).
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved a semi-high-speed double-line railway project connecting Ahmedabad and Dholera in Gujarat. The total estimated cost of this project is approximately ₹20,667 crore.
- This marks Indian Railways' first semi-high-speed project to be executed using indigenously developed technology.
- This project will provide rapid transportation connectivity between Ahmedabad, the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), the upcoming Dholera Airport, and the National Maritime Heritage Complex located at Lothal.
- By connecting Ahmedabad with Dholera, the travel time for passengers will be significantly reduced. This will facilitate convenient daily commuting as well as same-day return trips.
- The proposed new railway line will not only provide a direct link but also enhance the operational efficiency and service reliability of Indian Railways. Furthermore, it will boost opportunities for both employment and self-employment for the people of the region.
- By fostering holistic development within this region, the project aims to empower the local population and make them self-reliant. Union Cabinet Approves Scheme to Promote Coal/Lignite Gasification with an Outlay of Rs 37,500 Crore
- This scheme will help accelerate India's coal/lignite gasification efforts, achieve the national target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, strengthen energy security, and reduce dependence on imports for key commodities such as Urea, Ammonia, and Methanol.
- A total financial outlay of Rs 37,500 crore has been allocated to incentivize new surface coal/lignite gasification projects, with a target of gasifying approximately 75 million tonnes of coal/lignite.
- Financial incentives of up to a maximum of 20% of the capital expenditure on plant and machinery will be provided.
- Selection will be conducted through a transparent and competitive bidding process, utilizing an evaluation framework based on parameters such as project cost, coal input, and Syngas output.
- It is expected that this scheme will generate approximately 50,000 direct and indirect jobs across 25 projects located in coal-rich regions. The gasification of 75 million tonnes of coal/lignite envisaged under this scheme is expected to generate an annual revenue of Rs 6,300 crore.
- The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of the lease period for the land leased by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to M/s MIL (MIHAN India Limited) beyond August 6, 2039.
- Under the MIHAN project a Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport project in Nagpur the Nagpur Airport is poised to emerge as a regional aviation hub. This approval marks a significant milestone in that journey.
- In 2009, a Joint Venture company named MIL was formed by the Airports Authority of India and the Maharashtra Airport Development Company, with an equity capital structure of 49:51, respectively.
- Although the assets of the Airports Authority were transferred to MIL in 2009 for airport operations, the execution of the lease deed was delayed due to issues regarding land demarcation. Subsequently, the land belonging to the Airports Authority was leased to MIL until August 6, 2039.
- Currently, the lease period for the Airports Authority land leased to MIL is being extended beyond August 6, 2039. This will pave the way for handing over the airport to a second Joint Venture company, GNAIAL. This move is expected to usher in a new era of growth and infrastructure development for the Nagpur Airport.
- Efforts are underway to transform Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport into a major aviation hub for Central India by upgrading it in a phased manner to achieve a peak handling capacity of 30 million passengers per annum.
