Context:

• The state government of Haryana has introduced significant amendments to its Freight Assistance Scheme for MSMEs, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of local enterprises in the global market. Through this revised scheme, MSMEs in the state will receive substantial financial support for freight transportation, bolstering their ability to export goods to international markets.

Key Points:

• The Haryana Government has issued a notification to amend the Freight Assistance Scheme for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises operating in the state, as part of the 'Haryana Enterprises and Employment Policy (HEEP). This amendment aims to bolster the competitiveness of MSMEs in the global market by providing financial assistance for freight transportation to international borders.
• The primary objective of the revised scheme is to make MSME exports more competitive globally. Under this scheme, assistance will be provided to cover transportation costs of goods from the manufacturing unit to international borders, including ports and airports.
• According to the notification issued by the Department of Industry and Commerce, MSMEs will receive a freight subsidy of up to Rs 25 lakh. This subsidy is aimed at easing the financial burden of transportation costs and enhancing the competitiveness of MSME exports.
• According to the concerned officials, the subsidy amount will vary based on the level of Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) certification obtained by the MSMEs. Higher levels of certification will result in higher subsidies, with 100% subsidy for ZED Gold certified units, 75% for ZED Silver, and 33% for ZED Bronze certified units.

Context:

• The government of Haryana has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a plethora of developmental projects across the state. The endeavor showcases the government's dedication to equitable development and transparency in governance.

Key Points:

• The state government, in a proactive move, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a total various developmental projects valued at Rs two thousand crore. The ceremonies were conducted from Karnal, and have showcased the government's commitment to statewide development.
• These projects span various sectors, reflecting the government's multifaceted approach to development.  As part of the efforts, the state government has announced the establishment of a Quality Control Authority.
• This regulatory body is tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability in government projects by monitoring and reviewing ongoing initiatives.
• Another notable step towards enhancing transparency in project allocation is the introduction of the Engineering Works Portal. As per the plans envisaged by the state government in this regard, by digitizing the tendering process, this portal streamlines project distribution, promoting fairness and efficiency.
• Recognizing the pivotal role of infrastructure in national development, the state government has substantially increased the budget allocation for such projects. With close to thirty four percent of the budget earmarked for infrastructure initiatives in the current fiscal year, the government aims to accelerate rural electrification and enhance overall infrastructure across Haryana.

Promoting participative democracy

• Further, in order to foster participative democracy, the government plans to develop a centralized portal where citizens can report issues related to project quality or corruption, thereby institutionalizing the Public Feedback Mechanism. According to  the concerned officials, upon receiving complaints, thorough investigations will be conducted, and stringent actions will be taken against any wrongdoing.

Context:

• The state government of Haryana has unveiled a comprehensive array of environmental initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development and conservation efforts. The government in this regard has emphasized the significance of these measures in addressing pressing environmental concerns and ensuring the well-being of both current and future generations.

Key Points:

• The Government of Haryana has recently announced a series of significant initiatives aimed at environmental conservation and sustainable development within the state. As part of the efforts, the state government has shed light on a pressing issue concerning over eight thousand overflowing ponds out of a total of eighteen thousand in rural Haryana.
• In this regard, as part of the remedial measures, the state government has emphasized the potential of treating water from these ponds for irrigation purposes, particularly highlighting forthcoming schemes for micro-irrigation.
• According to the concerned officials, an essential component of the government's plan involves making the use of treated wastewater from these ponds mandatory, especially for micro-irrigation in the vicinity of these water bodies.
• In order to actualize this strategy, collaborative efforts between various departments including the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Development and Panchayat Department, and MICADA are currently underway to develop a comprehensive blueprint.
• As part of the comprehensive measures, embracing a circular economy approach to environmental conservation, the government aims to formulate holistic strategies to safeguard natural resources and promote sustainable practices.
• To spearhead this endeavor, the Environment and Climate Change Department, in collaboration with other pertinent departments, has beeen tasked with devising and executing these comprehensive plans.

Context:

• The state government of Haryana has unveiled groundbreaking initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the state's ration distribution system. Among the key announcements was the decision to equip depot-holders with state-of-the-art 5-G 'POS devices', poised to enhance efficiency and accessibility in delivering essential commodities to underprivileged communities.

Key Points:

• In a bid to revolutionize the distribution of essential commodities, the Haryana state government has undertaken the ambitious initiative to equip all depot-holders across the region with state-of-the-art 5-G 'POS devices'.
• As per the plans envisaged by the state government in this regard, these devices are envisaged to serve as pivotal tools, facilitating the seamless and efficient distribution of ration to the economically disadvantaged sections of society.
• Furthermore, according to the concerned officials, these devices are engineered to mimic the functionality of micro-ATMs, empowering individuals to conduct a myriad of banking transactions directly from the convenience of their local depot.
• In addition to that, the state government has articulated the strategic vision of transforming Harhit Store and Ration Depots into pioneering joint models. According to the concerned officials, this innovative approach aims to modernize depot operations and enhance their socioeconomic impact by diversifying product offerings.
•  By integrating additional commodities such as tea leaves and salt into their inventory, depot holders can augment their revenue streams while concurrently catering to the diverse needs of their communities.

Utilizing advanced technology:

• Acknowledging the rapid evolution of technology, the state government has underscored the imperative of embracing cutting-edge solutions to drive operational efficiency within depot networks. The deployment of 5-G 'POS devices' represents a paradigm shift in the realm of depot management, promising superlative speed and responsiveness in catering to the public’s needs.

Deepak Parekh has decided to step down as the Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the HDFC Life Insurance Company with effect from April 18.  Parekh was the Chairman of HDFC Ltd which merged with HDFC Bank a year ago.

The board unanimously approved the appointment of Keki M Mistry as the Chairman of the board. Mistry has been associated with the company since December 2000 and is currently a Non-Executive Director on the board.

Three Indian banks with a combined asset of $1.51 trillion, made it to the list of top 50 banks by assets in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023, as per a report released by S&P Global . These banks are- State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank .

• ICICI Bank is a new entrant in the top 50 Asia-Pacific lender list. In 2022, only two Indian banks – SBI and HDFC Bank – were part of it.
• HDFC Bank’s ranking in the list jumped from 46 in 2022 to 33 in 2023.
• This is largely due to a sharp increase in the company’s assets following its merger with parent company Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC).
• HDFC Bank’s valuation jumped to $464.34 billion in 2023, over 51 per cent higher when compared with the previous year.

Deepika Soreng, forward for the India Women's Hockey Team, extended her heartfelt gratitude to Hockey India for bestowing upon her the esteemed Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year during the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards 2023 last month.

Deepika had a tremendous year in 2023 as she made her debut for the side in the Women's Junior Asia Cup.

She helped the team win the Gold medal, scoring 7 goals in 6 matches and emerged as the second-highest goal-scorer for the side in the tournament.

A team of archaeologists claimed to have discovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana. The site was discovered by a team comprising K.P. Rao, history professor of the University of Hyderabad, and Ch Praveen Raju, research scholar from Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, in the forested area of the tribal-dominated district.

• This site has new types of monuments, which have not come to light so far anywhere in other regions of India. 
• Usually in this region, a type of megalithic monument known as ‘Dolmenoid Cists’ is found. 
• Most of the monuments in this region have squarish or rectangular shapes.

Kento Momota has stunned the fans of the sport around the world with his sudden retirement from the international circuit. 

Japan’s two-time world champion Kento Momota said that he is retiring from badminton, after the former world number one failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Momota won the world championships in 2018 and 2019 but struggled to return to top form after being injured in a fatal vehicle accident in Malaysia in early 2020 when the van he was travelling in crashed into a truck.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with a book titled "Sabke Ram" by Panchjanya editor Hitesh Shankar and Managing Director of Bharat Prakashan Arun Goyal.

• One special thing about this book is that people can read it as well as listen to it in Hindi and English.
• The book is published by ‎Prabhat Prakashan Pvt. Ltd
• PM Modi also appealed that the story of centuries of struggle and victory of truth should reach all the prominent personalities of the nation and all Indians in different countries.
• The book "Sabke Ram" narrates the history of Ayodhya. It contains the truth about Lord Ram's birth place and date of birth.
• After the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the struggle has become meaningful.