Good news for peace and progress in the Northeast.

• The Government of Assam and the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) signed a peace accord to achieve permanent peace in the region.
• The accord includes provisions for surrendering weapons, rehabilitation of militants, and measures for the region’s socio-economic development.

PM acknowledges the achievements of six years of the Udan Scheme.

Udan scheme:

1. UDAN stands for Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik. It is a regional connectivity scheme launched by the Indian government in 2016.
2. The scheme aims to make air travel more affordable and accessible for the commoner.
3. The scheme seeks to connect the country’s remote and underserved areas by developing new airports and airstrips.
4. Airlines are offered financial incentives and concessions to operate flights to unserved and underserved airports in the country.
5. The scheme mandates that 50% of the seats on these flights be sold at subsidized fares.
6. The remaining 50% of seats are sold at market rates.
7. The UDAN scheme has helped to boost regional connectivity in India and has contributed to the growth of tourism and other economic activities in these areas.

Ministry of Agriculture and NAFED launch Millets Experience Centre (MEC).

• The Millets Experience Centre (MEC) was launched at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• The Millets Experience Centre (MEC) was launched to raise awareness about millets and encourage their adoption among the general public.
• Millets are highly nutritious, gluten-free small-seeded grasses.
• The centre will showcase various millet types, benefits, and culinary uses through interactive displays and workshops.
• Promoting millet can achieve food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable agriculture while addressing climate change challenges.

INDEX OF EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES (BASE: 2011-12=100) FOR MARCH 2023 PUBLISHED

• The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 3.6% in March 2023 compared to March 2022.
• The ICI measures the performance of the production of eight core industries, including coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity.
• The cumulative growth rate of the ICI during 2022-23 was reported at 7.6%.

IMPHAL, INDIAN NAVY’S THIRD SHIP OF PROJECT 15B, SAILS FOR MAIDEN SEA TRIALS

• Indian Navy’s third indigenous stealth destroyer of Project 15B class, Imphal, undertook its maiden sea trial.
• Imphal incorporates niche technologies and higher indigenous content, designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd.
• Imphal will be commissioned later this year and the largest and most advanced destroyer ever named after a city from the Northeast.
• Imphal will significantly add to the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and is a testament to the national vision of the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

Need for systematic improvement in the timely execution of thermal projects.

• Union Minister for Heavy Industries emphasized the importance of systematic improvements and project-specific teams to ensure the timely execution of national high-value power projects.