Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 19th September 2024

 

International news 

1. India-Denmark Maritime collaboration gathers momentum with focus on Green Shipping, Digitalization, and Sustainable Development 

• India and Denmark’s maritime relations continue to strengthen, with both nations working closely to advance sustainable maritime practices. 
• Under the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, the collaboration has expanded across key areas such as Quality shipping, Cooperation on Port State Control, Maritime training and education, research and development, Piracy, Green maritime technology, shipbuilding, and green shipping. 
• Denmark, a global leader in sustainable maritime technologies, has been sharing its expertise in green and digital solutions, aligning with India’s goals under the Sagarmala initiative and the Maritime India Vision 2030. 
• Both countries are focusing on decarbonisation efforts, with joint projects aimed at developing hydrogen and ammonia-based fuels for ships. 
• India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims to decarbonize its ports, and Denmark’s success in offshore wind energy is expected to further contribute to renewable energy solutions in Indian ports. 
• As part of the Joint Action Plan on Green Strategic Partnership (2021-2026), both countries are set to continue their collaboration on port modernization, maritime digitalization, green fuel development, and advanced seafarer training. With Denmark’s leadership in green maritime technologies and India’s growing maritime infrastructure, 
• This partnership is poised to drive global innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector. 
• The scope of the MoU signed in 2019 and revised in 2022, has been widened by adding a dedicated clause for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in India. 

About Denmark 

• Capital- Copenhagen 
• Currency- Danish krone 
• Prime Minister – Mette Frederiksen 

2. The progress of bilateral cooperation reviewed by India and the US in the 2+2 inter-sessional meeting. 

• The progress of bilateral cooperation in areas including defence, technology, space cooperation, clean energy, and maritime domain awareness was reviewed. 
• On September 16, the two sides took stock of progress during the bilateral 2+2 inter-sessional meeting held in New Delhi. 
• During the meeting, the officials also had the opportunity to share their views on various regional and international issues. 
• The 2+2 inter-sessional meeting laid the foundation for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to advance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. 
• Joint Secretary (America) Nagaraj Naidu and Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi led the Indian delegation at the meeting. 
• US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal led the American delegation. 

3. Two MoUs on defence industry cooperation signed by SIDM with UAE partners. 

• The Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM), the Emirates Defence Companies Council (EDCC), and EDGE Group UAE inked two MoUs on Defense Industry Cooperation in a historic effort to strengthen defence cooperation. 
• These agreements are expected to pave the way for cooperation in several key areas, including joint development of unmanned systems, co-production of next-generation platforms, and exploration of critical minerals in third countries. 
• This significant development came during the first India-UAE Defense Industry Partnership Forum held in Abu Dhabi on September 18. 
• Organized by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi under the aegis of the Ministry of Defense, GoI, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense of the UAE, this historic forum brought together the defence industries of the two countries. 
• During the forum, various initiatives and policies of the Indian Government to boost the defence manufacturing ecosystem and promote international collaboration were presented to the UAE delegation. 
• Existing agreements, such as the 2003 Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding and the 2011 Security Cooperation Agreement, have laid a strong foundation for this growing partnership.Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives 

Defence news 

4. In the LCA Tejas aircraft fleet, Squadron Leader Mohana Singh became the first female fighter pilot. 

• Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the first woman fighter pilot to join the elite 18 'Flying Bullets' squadron, operating a squadron of India's indigenously built 'Made in India' LCA Tejas fighter jets. 
• Squadron Leader Singh, one of the country's first women fighter pilots, has once again raised the flag of success. 
• Her remarkable achievement underlines the Indian Air Force's commitment to gender equality and empowerment. 
• The officer was recently part of Exercise 'Tarang Shakti' held in Jodhpur, where she was part of the historic flight of the three vice chiefs of the three services. 
• Squadron Leader Mohana Singh was part of the first group of three women who became fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force. 
• After the government opened the fighter aviation sector to women in 2016, the IAF currently has about 20 female fighter pilots. 

Business news 

5. TIME’s World’s Best Companies 2024 

• HCL Tech has been named as the no.1 India-headquartered company in TIME magazine's World's Best Companies 2024 list.
• HCL Tech is ranked at 112th positions, followed by Infosys at the 119th position, and Wipro at 134 positions.
• Mahindra Group, Axis Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, L&T, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ITC Limited, Reliance Industries, and Adani Group are the top Indian firms featured to this list. 
• US-based tech giant Apple has topped the list globally.
• It is followed by Ireland-based tech major Accenture. 
• Microsoft, BMW Group, and Amazon featured next in line. 

6. PMBI and Coal India Limited sign MoU to provide high-quality generic medicines through establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras 

• In a significant milestone under the mission to provide quality generic medicines and surgical equipments at affordable prices to the masses, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and Coal India Limited have signed an MoU for the opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the premises of every coal field, selected hospitals, or any suitable location specified or decided by Coal India Limited. 
• The objective of this MoU is to provide high-quality generic medicines to the workforce and communities associated with Coal India, through the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras across Coal India premises, these medicines will help workers, residents, and families save out of pocket expenditure, and will give employment opportunities to entrepreneurs in the project areas 

These Kendras will be located at following locations – 

• CIL-HQ (Coal India Limited) – Kolkata, West Bengal 
• ECL (Eastern Coalfields Limited) – Sanctoria, West Bengal 
• CCL (Central Coalfields Limited) – Ranchi, Jharkhand 
• BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) – Dhanbad, Jharkhand 
• CCL (Central Coalfields Limited) – Ranchi, Jharkhand 
• SECL (South Eastern Coalfields Limited) – Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 
• WCL (Western Coalfields Limited) – Nagpur, Maharashtra 
• NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited) – Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh 
• MCL (Mahanadi Coalfields Limited) – Sambalpur, Orissa 
• NEC (North Eastern Coalfields) – Margherita, Assam 
• CMPDIL (Central Mining Planning & Design) – Ranchi, Jharkhand 

7. The MoUs signed by REC with renewable energy companies for projects worth ₹1.12 lakh crore. 

• REC Ltd, one of India's infrastructure financing companies, signed non-binding MoUs with renewable energy developers for projects worth about Rs 1.12 lakh crore. 
• The MoUs were signed during the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investors Summit & Expo (RE-INVEST 2024) in Gujarat. 
• These projects, scheduled for implementation over the next five years, cover a wide range of renewable energy initiatives. 
• This includes solar and wind hybrid systems, round the clock (RTC) power, floating solar plants, ultra-mega renewable energy parks, hydroelectric power, and advanced energy storage solutions such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) and pumped storage. 
• Apart from this, projects related to green ammonia and hydrogen, solar cell/module manufacturing and other innovative technologies are also part of the MoU. 
• Held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 16–18, 2024, the RE-INVEST 2024 event brought together policymakers, investors, business leaders, and government officials to discuss the future of renewable energy. 
• REC Ltd plans to support the country's target of increasing non-fossil based generation capacity from 200 GW to 500 GW by 2030. 
• In line with this, REC announced a "Shapath Patra,", pledging to grow its renewable loan book to over Rs 3 lakh crore by 2030. 

Economy news 

8. Cabinet approves Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Rabi Season 2024 on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for RABI Season, 2024 (from 01.10.2024 to 31.03.2025) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers. 
• The tentative budgetary requirement for Rabi season 2024 would be approximately Rs.24,475.53 crore. 
• The subsidy on P&K fertilizers will be provided based on approved rates for Rabi 2024 (applicable from 01.10.2024 to 31.03.2025) to ensure smooth availability of these fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices. 
• The government is making available 28 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers. 
• The subsidy on P&K fertilizers is governed by the NBS Scheme w.e.f. 01 .04.2010. By its farmer-friendly approach, the Government is committed to ensuring the availability of P&K fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices. 
• Benefits – Availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable, and reasonable prices will be ensured. 
• Rationalization of subsidy on P&K fertilizers given recent trends in the international prices of fertilizers and inputs 

9. Southern states emerged as major contributors in India’s GDP. 

• Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have emerged as major contributors to India’s GDP. 
• Southern states contribute around 30% to India’s GDP. 
• Telangana has also become a major player in India's economy. 
• Maharashtra remains India’s largest contributor to GDP, but its share has declined to 13.3%. 
• Maharashtra is not among the top five states in terms of per capita income. 
• Bihar, despite being the third-most populous state, contributes only 4.3% to India’s GDP. 
• Uttar Pradesh contributes about 9.5% in India’s GDP. 
• West Bengal’s per capita income was above the national average in 1960-61 at 127.5% but its relative per capita income has declined to 83.7% in 2023-24. 
• West Bengal's contribution is only 5.6% in 2023–24 in India’s GDP. 

10. Banks, FIs to invest Rs 32.5 trillion in renewable energy by 2030: Centre 

• Leading renewable energy (RE) project developers, manufacturing companies, banks, and financial institutions committed close to $386 billion or around Rs 32.45 trillion to the development of RE projects by 2030. 
• This commitment was made at the inaugural ceremony of the 4th RE-Invest Summit hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 
• Public sector and private project developers have committed to building close to 570 gigawatts (Gw) of RE capacity. 
• Reliance Industries (RIL) led the pack with a commitment of 100 Gw of capacity addition by 2030. It is followed by NTPC with 41.3 Gw and ReNew with 40 Gw of commitment. 
• Additionally, ReNew will set up 6 Gw of ingot-wafer, solar cell, and module manufacturing. 
• This target is one of India’s commitments on global platforms, including G20 and the UNFCC. 
• Additionally, banks and financial institutions (FIs) submitted a commitment of Rs 24.8 trillion for financing RE projects in the country. 
• State-owned REC leads the pack with Rs 6 trillion of investment commitment, followed by dedicated renewable financing body IREDA, which will invest Rs 5 trillion. 
• State owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has made an investment commitment of Rs 3 trillion. 
• Among the banks, SBI made the largest announcement with Rs 5 trillion of investment undertakings, followed by PNB. 

11. New MSME Policy 2024 launched by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. 

• On September 18, the New MSME Policy 2024 has been launched by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to address six major challenges faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 
• This policy includes an investment of Rs 4 thousand crore in five years. 
• The Chief Minister praised the policies of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao for opening up India's economy through liberalisation, privatization, and globalisation (LPG). 
• The new policy is aimed at providing industrial opportunities to Dalits and women and to promote MSMEs. 
• He said there is a gap between education and jobs, and there is a shortage of skilled workers. 
• He said after discussions with Tata, a plan has been made to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with an investment of Rs 2,400 crore. 

Scheme and Committees News 

12. Center approves PMJUGA scheme for holistic Tribal Development 

• The Union Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved a new scheme, Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) to improve the socio-economic condition of the country’s tribal majority villages and aspirational districts. 
• The scheme seeks to utilise the existing central government scheme to achieve the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) scheme. 
• Union Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman proposed the scheme in her 2024-25 Union Budget speech. 
• The duration of the PMJUGA scheme is five years. The total allocation for the scheme is Rs.79,156 crore, of which the central government’s share will be Rs.56,333 crore, and the State government’s share will be Rs. 22,823 crore. 
• The PMJUGA scheme will be implemented in 549 districts and 2,740 blocks in all tribal majority villages and aspirational districts of 30 States / Union Territories. 
• According to the government, the scheme is expected to cover 63,000 villages and benefit more than 5 crore tribal people. 
• According to the 2011 census, the tribal population in the country was 10.45 crore. 
• The PMJUGA scheme comprises 25 interventions to be implemented by 17 Union Ministries. The task and funds for the concerned ministries will be allocated under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) in the next 5 years to achieve the following four goals 
• Development of Enabling Infrastructure 
• Economic Empowerment 
• Access to Good Education 
• Healthy Living 

13. Union Cabinet approved the Rs. 9,197 crore Bio-RIDE scheme. 

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme with an outlay of 9,197 crore. 
• Two umbrella schemes under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have been merged into a unified initiative known as the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme. 
• The main aim of the Bio-RIDE scheme is to foster innovation and encourage bio-entrepreneurship. 
• Its main aim is to accelerate research, enhance product development, and bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications. 
• A new component called Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry has been included in the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme. 
• This new component will help India achieve the goal of creating a circular bioeconomy by developing Indigenous solutions. 
• Bio-RIDE will also play an important role in making India’s bioeconomy of $300 billion by 2030. 

Appointment and resignation news 

14. Shriram Finance welcomes Cricket Legend Rahul Dravid as Brand Ambassador 

• Shriram Finance Ltd, announced the onboarding of Rahul Dravid, former captain and head coach of the Indian cricket team, as its brand ambassador. 
• Rahul Dravid’s association with Shriram Finance represents a perfect blend of two entities that have consistently demonstrated trust, reliability, and excellence in their respective fields. 

Recent Brand Ambassador 

• Manu Bhaker – Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) 
• Alia Bhatt – French cosmetic maker L’Oreal Paris 
• Salman Khan – GRM Basmati Rice 
• Dinesh Karthik – SA20 league 
• Shikhar Dhwan – MotoGP India 
• Aditya Roy Kapur – Bisleri Limonata 
• PV Sindhu – Greenday’s Better Nutrition 
• PV Sindhu – Tobacco Control 

Science and technology news 

15. Largest genome of animal 

• The South American lungfish is an extraordinary creature and a living fossil. 
• It is inhabiting slow-moving and stagnant waters in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana and Paraguay. 
• It is the nearest living relative to the first land vertebrates and closely resembles its primordial ancestors dating back more than 400 million years. 
• This freshwater species (Lepidosiren paradoxa) also has the largest genome – all the genetic information of an organism – of any animal on the earth. 
• Its genome is to be about 30-times the size of the human genetic blueprint.
• The length of the DNA in each cell of this lungfish would extend almost 60 metres. 
• The human genome would extend a mere 2 metres. 

16. Government approved the development of the first unit of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1). 

• India will become third country with its own space station by setting up Bharatiya Antariksh Station very soon. 
• The Union Cabinet has approved expansion of India’s Gaganyaan program. 
• It includes the development of the first unit of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) and the integration of new technologies and missions to support the BAS. 
• BAS-1 will act as a platform for testing and validating new technologies crucial for the station's construction and operation. 
• The revision of the Gaganyaan Programme includes additional requirements for the station and precursor missions. 
• The total budget for the revised Gaganyaan program has been increased to ₹20,193 crore. 
• The Gaganyaan project envisages human spaceflight capability of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission. 
• At present, the International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong Space Station (TSS) are the two active space stations orbiting Earth. 

17. Chandrayaan-4, Venus! orbiter get approval from Union Cabinet 

• In a boost to the space programme, the Union government on Wednesday approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission to bring moon rocks to earth, send a spacecraft to orbit Venus and expand the Gaganyaan project to build an Indian space station. 
• The Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved a proposal of the Department of Space to build a next-generation launch vehicle capable of placing heavier payload in orbits, which could also be key to achieving the targets of setting up a space station and landing an Indian astronaut on the moon. 
• "Great news for the space sector! The Union Cabinet has approved the first step towards the Bha- ratiya Antriksh Station (BAS), expanding the Gaganyaan programme," Mr. Modi said in a post on X. "This landmark decision brings us closer to a self-sustained space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar mission by 2040," he said. Information and Broad- casting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government had allocated ₹2,104 crore for the Chandrayaan-4 mission. 
• "A natural successor to Chandrayaan-3 is the demonstration of the ability to collect lunar samples and return them safely back to earth," ISRO Chairman S. Somanath said. Chandrayaan-4 will involve multiple launches, and the premier space agency is set to perform a space docking experiment later this year to develop its capabilities for the challenging endeavour. 
• The Cabinet approved 1,236 crore for the Venus Orbiter Mission, which is expected to be launched in March 2028. This will be India's second interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission, launched on November 5, 2013. The Cabinet also gave its nod to an additional funding of (1 11,170 crore to the Gaganyaan programme, which already has a sanctioned 

Miscellaneous news 

18. World Food India 2024 started from 19 September 2024 in New Delhi. 

• It is a four-day mega event. It will continue till 22 September 2024. 
• More than 90 countries, 26 States and Union Territories, and 18 Central Ministries are taking part in the event. 
• Japan is a partner country. Vietnam and Iran are taking part as focus countries. 
• World Food India 2024 is 3rd edition of India’s biggest food summit. 
• Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched 1st edition of World Food India in 2017. 
• The second edition World Food India was organised in 2023. 

Agreement news 

19. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Monash University Sign MoU to Enhance Railway Engineering Research and Education 

• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed an MoU with Monash University, Australia to facilitate collaboration in joint research, education, and executive training in railway engineering through the Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT). 
• The establishment of a joint research lab focusing on advanced technological railway engineering will be explored together with opportunities for collaboration on future industrial projects that will return mutual benefits to both parties and advance Australian and Indian railway systems. 
• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara was established through an Act of Parliament in 2022, to create best in class manpower and talent for the entire transportation and logistics sectors. 
• GSV is a “first of its kind” university aiming to fulfill the mandate of the National Developmental Plans (PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022) across railways, aviation, shipping, ports, highways, roads, and waterways etc. 

20. Indian Army signs MoU with Tiranga Mountain Rescue to enhance high-altitude operations 

• The Indian Army has entered an understanding with the Tiranga Mountain Rescue (TMR) at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies in the Delhi Cantonment. 
• This understanding marks a pivotal step in advancing the Indian Army’s rescue and survival operations in mountainous terrains. 
• The MoU stipulates that TMR will collaborate with the Indian Army in conducting customised training programs for Army instructors, aimed at improving their ability to mentor troops in avalanche rescue and survival skills. 
• This MoU builds on the initial agreement made with Northern Command in 2016, which established dedicated avalanche and rescue support by the TMR. 
• Subsequent agreements with Eastern and Central Commands in 2021 and 2024 further expanded this collaboration. The latest MoU will further utilise TMR’s expertise to boost the Indian Army’s capabilities in executing effective rescue operations under demanding conditions. 

Sports news 

21. Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games 

• Glasgow, Scotland’s capital, has agreed to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the original host, Victoria of Australia, declined due to the rising cost. 
• Glasgow has previously successfully hosted the 2012 Commonwealth Games. 
• The first Commonwealth Games was held in 1930, and countries or territories that are members of the Commonwealth Games Federation, now known as Commonwealth Sport, participate in the Games. 
• The last of six of the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Games has been held in Great Britain or Australia. 
• Scotland, England and Wales constitute Great Britain. About Commonwealth Games 
• The first Commonwealth Games was organised as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. 
• It is held every four years but was not held in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II. 
• Only two Asian cities have hosted the Commonwealth Games – Kualumpur, Malaysia, in 1998 and Delhi in 2010. 
• So far, the Commonwealth Games has not been hosted by an African country. 
• The Commonwealth is a group of countries that were previously a colony of Great Britain but are now independent. 
• Commonwealth Sport Members – 74 countries 

Important day

22. 18 September – International Equal Pay Day

• International Equal Pay Day is celebrated every year on 18 September. 
• This day highlights the effects of the pay gap on women of colour and other minorities. 
• Theme 2024 – Need To Eliminate Wage Discrimination 
• International Equal Pay Day was first observed back in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity. It was a coalition of women’s and civil rights organisations that worked toward eliminating gender and race-based wage discrimination. 
• The goal was to achieve pay equity. It was not until 2019 that the Equal Pay International Coalition began officially marking it as a day to raise awareness. In 2020, the move was recognised by the United Nations and they observed the first International Equal Pay on September 18, 2020. 

23. 19 September – International Talk Like a Pirate Day 

• International Talk Like a Pirate Day is observed every year on 19 September. 
• The day aims to bring people together in the spirit of camaraderie and shared amusement as friends, family and even strangers engage in lighthearted conversations, jokes and activities that let them loose, have a good laugh and momentarily escape the stresses of everyday life. 
• Talk Like a Pirate Day was born in 1995 when two friends from Oregon jokingly created the holiday while playing racquetball. They celebrated it quietly for a few years, sharing the joke with a small group of friends. 
• One day in 2002, they wrote to humor columnist Dave Barry asking him to be the spokesperson for National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Amused by the idea, Barry agreed. 
• He wrote a column about the holiday, giving it national prominence and spawning a wave of Talk Like a Pirate Day events and celebrations across the country.

Policy news 

24. PM-AASHA schemes to continue with additions: Centre 

• The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the continuation of schemes of the Pradhan Mantri Anna data Say SanraksHan Abhi- yan (PM-AASHA). 
• The Centre said the schemes under PM-AASHA will ensure remunerative prices to farmers and control price volatility of essential commodities to benefit consumers. 
• The Cabinet also fixed the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the upcoming rabi season on phosphatic and potassic (P and K) fertilisers. The tentative budgetary requirement for this will be ₹24,475.53 crore. 
• The total financial outgo for PM-AASHA will be 35,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle up to 2025-26. The Centre has converged the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) schemes in PM-AASHA. 
• "PM-AASHA will now have the components of PSS, PSF and the Price Def- icit Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)," the Centre said. 
• It said the extension of the PSF scheme will help in protecting consumers from extreme volatility in prices of agri-horticultural commodities by maintaining strategic buffer stock of pulses and onion for calibrated release. It will also discourage hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, and ensure supplies to consumers at affordable prices. 
• Subsidy for fertilisers On the fertiliser subsidy, the Centre said it will ensure availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised, affordable and reasonable prices. It added that the rationalisation of subsidy on P and K fertilisers is taken in view of the recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers and inputs. 

25. Govt. to frame social security norms for gig workers 

• The Centre will soon create an inclusive framework covering social security for gig and platform workers and the Labour Ministry will form a dedicated committee to take views of all stakeholders on this. Addressing a meeting of platform aggregators here on Wednesday, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the proposed committee will take up key issues and work towards establishing a robust social security framework for these workers. 
• Mr. Mandaviya also set a target of three months for registering all gig and platform workers on the e-Shram portal. He said the registration is crucial for extending benefits under various government initiatives to these workers. 

26. Tharoor to head Standing Committee on External Affairs 

• Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will head the Standing Committee on External Affairs, while former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will lead the parliamentary panel on Agriculture. Two- time Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka will head the panel on Rural Development and Rajya Sabha member Digvijay Singh will head the Standing Committee on Education. 
• Four leaders named According to the sources, the Congress forwarded its choices for the four panels it is entitled to lead. 
• It is learnt that among the one Standing Committee that comes under the Rajya Sabha's ambit, the Congress wanted to be the chair of the Home Panel, but the government refused. Instead, it offered the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment Forest and Climate Change, which senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh headed in the last Lok Sabha. The party, however, insisted on the Standing Committee on Education. Mr. Ramesh will now be a member of the committee that he had headed. 
• With the Congress keeping social justice as the centrepiece of its 2024 campaign, the party was conscious to strike a balance between experience in leading such panels with the caste equations. Choice of Mr. Channi and Mr. Ulaka are part of this effort. The party is keen to project its north Indian leadership.