PM lauds the highest-ever GST collection in April 2023.

Topic: GS3 – Indian economy.

News:

• The Prime Minister of India has expressed happiness over the highest-ever GST revenue collection in April 2023, amounting to ₹87 lakh crore.
• He attributes the success to the increased integration and compliance of GST.
  

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PM expresses happiness over installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mauritius.

Topic: GS1 – Indian history.

News:

• A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was recently installed in Mauritius, and the Prime Minister of India expressed pride on behalf of all Indians for the installation.
• The statue symbolises the historical and cultural ties between India and Mauritius. It is a tribute to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a prominent figure in Indian history known for his courage and leadership.

About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a 17th-century Indian warrior-king and founder of the Maratha Empire.
• He was born in 1627 in the fort of Shivneri in present-day Maharashtra, India.
• Shivaji is known for his military and guerrilla warfare tactics, which were instrumental in establishing the Maratha Empire.
• He is also remembered for his administrative and social reforms, which helped improve his subjects’ lives and create a sense of unity among them.
• Shivaji was a devout Hindu, but he was known for his religious tolerance and respect for all faiths.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy inspires many people in India, particularly in Maharashtra, where he symbolises Marathi pride and identity.
  

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India is on its way to becoming a hub for commerce and logistics: PM.

Topic: GS3 – Indian economy – (transportation and logistics)

News:

• The Ministry of Port Shipping and Waterways mentioned that Indian ports have significantly improved their efficiency and productivity – as confirmed by the World Bank’s LPI 2023 report.
• The report shows that Indian ports have a better “Turn Around Time” than many other countries.

Steps taken by the Indian government to reduce turnaround time at ports:

• Implementation of Direct Port Delivery (DPD) and Direct Port Export (DPE) schemes to reduce cargo release time.
• Introduction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for gate automation and real-time tracking of trucks.
• Upgradation of infrastructure and equipment at ports to handle cargo more efficiently.
• Improvement in customs clearance procedures through the use of electronic systems such as the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE) and the Port Community System (PCS).
• Streamlining regulatory procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles to minimise turnaround time.
  

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PM appreciates the success of the National SC-ST Hub Scheme.

 Topic: GS2, GS3 – Indian economy, Indian society

News:

• The Prime Minister commended the National SC-ST Hub Scheme for surpassing the registrations of over 100,000 beneficiaries.

National SC-ST Hub Scheme:

• The National SCST (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe) Hub scheme is a Government of India initiative launched in 2016.
• Its objective is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST communities by providing financial support, training, and market facilitation.
• The scheme aims to create a supportive ecosystem for the growth of SC/ST entrepreneurs and to enhance their participation in the country’s economic development.
• The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• The scheme provides a capital subsidy of up to 90% of the project cost and also offers other support such as capacity building, skill development, and marketing assistance.
  

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The first test launch of a new low-cost star sensor developed from off-the-shelf components was successfully conducted.

Topic: GS3 – Science and technology.

News:

• Indian astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) developed a low-cost star sensor named StarBerrySense to calculate where the satellite is pointing.
• StarBerrySense was launched on board PSLV C-55 on April 22 and mounted on the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) to test its performance in space for the first time.
• StarBerrySense is built using off-the-shelf components, and the electronics and software were designed in-house – making it cost-effective and simple to build.
• The StarBerrySense project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• The sensor is capable of being deployed on a wide variety of satellites.
• The primary function of StarBerrySense is to image the field of view, correctly identify the stars, and calculate the pointing direction accurately.
  

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ASEAN INDIA MARITIME EXERCISE (AIME-2023)

Topic: GS1, GS2 – security of India, international relations.

News:

• The Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy arrived in Singapore on May 1, 2023, to participate in the ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023).
• INS Delhi and INS Satpura, two guided missile ships, are part of the Eastern Fleet and will participate in the exercise.
• The exercise aims to promote cooperation between Indian Navy and ASEAN navies in the maritime domain.
• The ships will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) being hosted by Singapore.