National
Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture Sector and Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries
⇒ Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda launched the Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture Sector and Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries in Delhi on 29 January 2024.
In his address, Shri Munda said-
» The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare prepared a framework to promote Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) in the agricultural sector of the country with a view to encourage small and medium farmers to avail benefits of carbon credit.
- Introducing farmers to the carbon market will not only benefit them but also accelerate the adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices.
» Shri Munda said that the agriculture sector in the country is making an important contribution to the economy and livelihood of crores of people. 54.6% of the country’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied sectors’ activities.
- The share of agriculture sector in GDP is 18.6%, while the sown area is 139.3 million hectares, out of the total geographical area of the country.
- Keeping this importance in view, the Ministry has taken several steps under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for sustainable development.
» Shri Munda said that the Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries will strengthen the institutional arrangements for production and certification of planting material on a large scale to promote agroforestry in the country.
- He asked all the stakeholders to adopt it so that quality planting material can provide assured returns and the objectives and goals of the National Agroforestry Policy can be achieved. He also urged for proper use of natural resources.
DoT Secretary launches Bharat 5G Portal
⇒ Dr Neeraj Mittal, Chairman, Digital Communications Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications (MoC), launched the “Bharat 5G Portal- an integrated portal” on the sidelines of ‘Bharat Telecom 2024.
‘Bharat Telecom 2024′, an Exclusive International Business Expo was organized by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) in collaboration with DoT, from January 29-30, 2024.
About Bharat 5G Portal- an integrate portal:
» Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, during the inaugural ceremony of the India Mobile Congress, awarded 100 “5G Use Case Labs” to educational institutions across the countries to build competencies and engagement in 5G technologies for students & start-up communities.
- All the 100+ Labs/institutions are connected through a dedicated portal (Digital network of 100 5G Labs). It acts as a knowledge dissemination platform for the institutions/students/start-ups wherein 5G use cases are being tested/developed.
- Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is implementation agency for installation of 100 Labs and portal development.
» The Bharat 5G portal- an integrated portal is a comprehensive platform serving the interests of startups, industry and academia in quantum, 6G, IPR and 5G domains.
- It also features the Future Tech-Experts registration portal in collaboration with PANIIT USA, aimed to help and advise the Indian Telecom ecosystem to advance the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- The Bharat 5G Portal acts as a one-stop solution for all quantum, IPR, PoCs/Pilot, 5G and 6G-related works, capturing academic R&D developments, industry standards, OEMs, startups/MSMEs, and subject matter experts.
- It aims to propel India’s 5G capabilities, foster innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing within the telecom sector.
International
President of the Union of Comoros
⇒ President Azali Assoumani has been sworn-in as the President of the Union of Comoros on May 26th 2024. He was sworn in for his fourth term.
- Azali Assoumani was re-elected as the President of Comoros in the presidential election held in January this year.
- Five Heads of State and other dignitaries including the EASF Director attended the President’s inauguration.
- At his swearing-in ceremony at a packed 10,000-seater stadium in the capital Moroni, H.E Assoumani launched a call for national unity and for all Comorians to work together for the peace and prosperity of the Union of Comoros.
Important Day
International Customs Day 2024
⇒ The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) celebrated the International Customs Day- 2024 in New Delhi on 27 January 2024.
- During the celebration, a book and a compendium were released that highlighted various reform initiatives undertaken by Indian Customs towards trade facilitation.
» International Customs Day is celebrated every year on 26 January.
- This day is celebrated to uplift leadership, guidance and support to the customs administrations across the world, and the significance of their job.
Theme:
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has dedicated the International Customs Day 2024 to the theme of ‘Customs engaging traditional and new partners with purpose’.
- The theme for 2024 is a strategic call to action, urging us to broaden our perspectives, think creatively, and embrace innovative approaches. This is essential for Customs administrations to maintain their role in facilitating global trade and ensuring security in a rapidly evolving environment.
History:
- International Customs Day traces its roots back to the establishment of the WCO, formerly known as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), in 1952.
- Its inaugural session took place on January 26, 1953, attended by member nations from 17 European countries. The session was inaugurated in Brussels, Belgium.
- In the year 1953, the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) confirmed this date to be observed as International Customs Day.
- In 1994, CCC was renamed as World Customs Organisation, and currently consists of 182 member states across the world.
- The WCO, as an intergovernmental body, was formed to enhance the efficiency of Customs administrations globally.
Customs:
Customs is a governmental organisation responsible for tax collection and overseeing the movement of goods into and out of a nation, encompassing animals, vehicles, people, and hazardous materials.