SDG India Index & Dashboard
- NITI Aayog will launch 3rd edition of “Sustainable Development Goals India Index & Dashboard, 2020-21: Partnerships in the Decade of Action”. It covers 17 Goals, 70 targets, and 115 indicators.
- Launched in 2018, the index has been monitoring progress on the SDGs in the country at the national and sub-national level.
- The index estimation is based on data on indicators for the first 16 goals, with a qualitative assessment for Goal 17.
- The selection of indicators is preceded by a consultative process undertaken in close coordination with MoSPI, Union Ministries and stakeholders from States and Union Territories.
- The index supports the States and UTs in identifying areas which require more attention; and promoting healthy competition among them.
- It has been successful as an advocacy tool to propagate the messages of sustainability, resilience, and partnerships.
Agriculture Voltage Technology
- An Agri-voltaic system with a capacity of 105 KW was developed by ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur.
- This technology can increase the income of farmers by generation of electricity and growing of cash crops simultaneously on the same land.
- Under the Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme, there is a provision for installation of agri-voltaic system in farmers’ fields with a capacity of 500 KW-2 MW.
- Moreover, National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has documented 13 operational agri-voltaic systems in the country managed by different solar PV functionaries and public Institutes.
Bodo Peace Accord
- A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed in January, 2020 with factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), etc.
- This MoS seeks to,
- Increase the scope and power of Bodoland Territorial Council and to streamline its functioning;
- Resolve issues related to Bodo people residing outside Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD);
- Protect Bodo’s social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic identities;
- Provide legislative protection for the land rights of tribals;
- Ensure quick development of tribal areas and rehabilitate members of NDFB factions;
- Notify Bodo language as an associate official language in the State.
- MoS provides for establishing a Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council and to set up a separate directorate for Bodo medium schools.
- A provision is also there for a special Development package of Rs.1500 crores to undertake specific projects for the development of Bodo areas.
Rural Circuit
- Recognizing the potential of Village tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has identified Rural Circuit as one of 15 thematic circuits identified for development under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
- [Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched for Integrated Development of theme-based Tourist Circuits for development of tourism infrastructure.]
- Ministry of Rural Development provides a list of leading sub districts to each State for selection of Non-Tribal clusters under SPMRM, within which the clusters could be identified.
- One of the parameters in the selection of these sub districts by the Ministry of Rural Development is “Presence of places of Tourism and Pilgrimage significance”.
- As part of its marketing activities, the Tourism Ministry produces publicity material in potential markets under “Incredible India” brand.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
- It is one of the rural development schemes being implemented under the Ministry of Rural Development.
- It focuses on integrated development of rural clusters by stimulating local economic development, enhancing basic services, and creating well planned Rurban clusters.
- It develops a cluster of villages that preserve and nurture the essence of rural community life with focus on equity and inclusiveness without compromising with the facilities perceived to be urban in nature.
- Under SPMRM, 300 clusters are developed across 28 States and 6 UTs.
- Tourism related activities are among the 21 component categories under SPMRM and works are undertaken in clusters with tourism potential.
- Under SPMRM, there are 105 clusters in 30 States/ UTs where tourism related activities have been proposed.
OBC Reservation
- The Supreme Court ruled that the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is only ‘statutory’, unlike the ‘constitutional’ reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- It also said that if the reservation for SCs and STs were to consume the entire 50% of seats of SCs/STs/OBCs in the concerned local bodies, the question of providing further reservation to OBCs would not arise.
- The quantum of reservation for OBCs ought to be local body specific.
- A dedicated Commission has to be set up to conduct empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua local bodies, within the State.
- The proportion of reservation required to be provisioned local body wise would be specified in light of recommendations of the Commission.
Nifty50 PE Ratio
- The National Stock Exchange announced a change to the Nifty50’s Price-Earnings (PE) ratio calculation that promises to reduce the Nifty PE.
- Seasoned investors and professional fund managers use the Nifty 50’s PE number to quickly gauge if markets are expensive or cheap.
- Nifty PE will drop from 40 times to about 35 times on March 31, 2021.
- So far, Nifty PE ratio has been calculated based on standalone earnings of the 50 companies that make up the index for the trailing 4 quarters.
- Now, it plans to use consolidated earnings - A more accurate representation of the true profitability and valuation of Nifty companies.
- But, standalone earnings of a company reflect only the profits made by it alone, without considering the operations of its subsidiaries.
Source: PIB, The Indian Express, Business Line
