Recently, 45 Panchayats were awarded with National Panchayat Awards 2024 for their contributions to sustainable and inclusive development in rural India.

About National Panchayat Awards 2024

• Launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in alignment with 9 Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) themes aggregating 17 SDGs.
  • 9 LSDGs themes include Poverty free and enhanced livelihoods Panchayat, child friendly panchayats, women friendly panchayat, water-friendly panchayat etc.
• Objectives: To assess the performance of Panchayats in attainment of SDGs, Promotion of competitive spirit among them etc.

Recently, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated that weak and short La Niña conditions could emerge in December-to-February period.

About La Nina

• It is one of the three El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases.
• It refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific.
  • Typically, it occurs every 3 to 5 years or so.
  • It positively impacts the Indian Monsoon.

• During La Nina:
  • Trade winds become stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia.
  • Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling increases, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.
• It has global impacts on weather, wildfires, ecosystems, economies etc.

The Union Government has enabled Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).

About PMBJK

• It aims to provide high-quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
• It is launched under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

• PMBJP was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers in 2008.

• These outlets ensure essential healthcare is accessible to all, especially economically disadvantaged individuals.

State of the Art Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and Node System launched at IIT Ropar.

About Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway

• The system connects Bluetooth-enabled sensors to cloud platforms, enabling seamless data transmission, real-time environmental monitoring, and advanced analytics across diverse sectors.

Key features include: 

• Robust Connectivity: Offers 4G, WiFi, and LAN compatibility for flexible networking.
• Long-Range Communication: Supports data transmission up to 1 km in line-of-sight (LOS) scenarios.
• Application:  Precision farming, Logistics, Monitoring work in Smart cities, Industrial sites etc.

Recently, the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission highlighted concerns related to cess and surcharge.

• Articles 270 and 271 of the Indian constitution deal with the Cess and Surcharges.

About Cess and Surcharge

• Cess: Earmarked for specific purposes but does not entitle the payer to direct benefits. They are typically imposed in addition to existing taxes and may be fixed or calculated ad valorem (percentage-based).
  • Funds are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and withdrawn only with parliamentary approval.
• Surcharge: It is an additional tax imposed on existing duties and taxes, essentially a tax on tax.
  • Unlike a cess, a surcharge does not require a specific purpose at the time of levy. The Union has discretion over the use of proceeds.
• Both Funds are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
• They are generally kept out from net proceeds, unlike other taxes under the divisible pool for sharing with States.

Supreme Court criticizes ‘growing misuse’ of Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 498A against husbands and their kin for ‘personal vendetta’.

• IPC has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 

Section 498A of IPC

• Deals with the Husband or relative of the husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty.
• Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

In BNS, it is covered under section 85. 

Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024 has been released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 

Key Findings 

• In 2022, the number of known victims worldwide rose to 25% above 2019’s pre-pandemic levels
• Women and girls account for the majority of victims (61 % in 2022).

About UNODC (1997)

• It is a UN agency that leads global efforts against illicit drugs, organized crime, and terrorism. 
• HQ: Vienna

Marbled duck spotted at Sultanpur National Park after 30 years.

About Marbled duck

• Marbled teals are medium-sized ducks. 
• A species found in Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, the Middle East, Russia, India, and China.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened 

Sultanpur National Park 

• Located in Gurgaon, Haryana
• Several migratory bird species arrive here in search of feeding grounds and to spend the winter.
• Notified as a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance in 2021.
• Flora: Mixed forests of acacia, jamun, and neem trees, as well as grasslands.
• Fauna: Famous for birds, like bar-headed goose, Indian spotted eagle, etc.