1. Small Savings Instruments (SSIs)
The government of India has raised the rates offered for most small savings instruments (SSIs) in the range of 40 basis points (bps) to 150 bps over the last five quarters.
About Small Savings Instruments (SSIs):
- These are a set of savings instruments managed by the central government with the aim of encouraging citizens to save regularly, irrespective of their age.
- Features
- They provide returns that are generally higher than bank fixed deposits.
- It also gives a sovereign guarantee and tax benefits.
- The interest rates on small savings schemes change on a quarterly basis.
- All deposits received under various small savings schemes are pooled in the National Small Savings Fund.
- These instruments can be classified under three headings:
- Postal deposits (comprising savings account, recurring deposits, time deposits of varying maturities, and monthly income scheme (MIS).
- Savings certificates (National Small Savings Certificate VIII (NSC) and Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP).
- Social security schemes (public provident fund (PPF) and Senior Citizens‘ Savings Scheme (SCSS).
- The money in the fund is used by the central government to finance its fiscal deficit.
2. Aadi Mahotsav
The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs will inaugurate the Aadi Mahotsav - the National Tribal Festival - on 25th Octber, at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
About Aadi Mahotsav:
- The mega event is being organised by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED).
- It serves as a unique, symbiotic bridge to embark on a journey through the tapestry of India's indigenous heritage.
- In this event, a total of over 100 stalls would showcase the kaleidoscope of India's tribal culture, craftsmanship, culinary artistry, and economic endeavours.
- This Aadi Mahotsav, besides other attractions of handicrafts, handloom, pottery, jewellery, will be showcasing ‘Millets grown by Tribals’.
Key points about TRIFED
- It is a national-level organisation under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- It is primarily engaged in the development and marketing of tribal handicrafts and natural products.
- It came into existence in 1987 and got registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 (now the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002).
- Mandate: Capability enhancement for Tribals, promotion of tribal products, and creation of marketing opportunities for the Tribals with a view to ensuring remunerative prices for their products and augmenting their income on a sustainable basis.
- It has been entrusted by the Government of India to implement its proposed Minimum Support Price Scheme for Minor Forest Produce.
- Head Office: New Delhi
3. Thallium
Recently, an agricultural scientist utilised her scientific expertise to select Thallium for poisoning her in-laws’.
About Thallium:
- It is globally known as the ‘poisoner’s poison’.
- It was discovered by Sir William Crookes in 1861.
- It is a metal belongs to the main Group 13 (IIIa, or boron group) of the periodic table.
- It was used historically as a rodenticide.
- Properties
- It is tasteless and odourless.
- It is a soft, heavy, and low-melting element of low tensile strength.
- It does not dissolve in water.
- It dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid and dilute sulfuric acid and rapidly in nitric acid.
- It is found in trace amounts in the earth’s crust.
- This metal continues to oxidizeoxidise upon prolonged contact with air, generating a heavy nonprotective oxide crust.
- Trace amounts of thallium are present in sulfide ores of zinc and lead; in the roasting of these ores, the thallium becomes concentrated in the flue dusts, from which it is recovered.
- Applications: It is used in the manufacture of electronics, low temperature thermometers, optical lenses, and imitation precious jewels.
4. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) has been implemented since 2021-22.
About Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana:
- It is a merged scheme of three Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
- Aim:
- To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through Skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives
- To improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.
- The Scheme has three components:
- Development of SC dominated villages into an “Adarsh Gram”: The objective of this component is to ensure integrated development of SC majority villages so that, inter alia, there is:, Adequate infrastructure; all requisite infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development needs is to be provided under the Scheme.
- ‘Grants-in-aid’ for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs that may include creation of infrastructure in SC dominated villages including those selected under Adarsh Gram component, construction of Hostels/Residential schools.
- Comprehensive Livelihood Projects which may include components such as Skill development, related infrastructure development, financial assistance towards loans taken by beneficiaries for acquisition/creation of assets required for livelihood generation etc.
- Construction of Hostels in higher educational institutions which are top-ranked as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of Government of India and are funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments either fully or partially.
5. Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023
Recently, Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023 commenced in Umroi Cantonment, India.