13th National Seed Congress (NSC)

• 13th NSC organized between November 28 to 30, 2024 in Varanasi by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.
• Where Scientist said that Farmers resistance has prevented the Seeds Bill, which was presented to Parliament in 2004, from being passed.
• Although the National Seeds Policy of 2002 has not been updated, experts believe it should be to meet worldwide standards.
• Attendees of 13th NSC underlined the necessity interventions to address challenges like innovation, farmer empowerment.
• Malvika Dadlani, a former Joint Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, claims that India's seed quality assurance system is inadequate.
• The private sector is good at bringing advances to farmers, while the public sector is better in scientific research.

British lawmakers support the Bill allowing Terminally ill individuals to end their lives

• The proposed law is named the Terminally ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
• The UK House of Commons has only previously voted on the topic once over the past decade and it supported the bill by 330 to 275.
• The bill seeks to made it legal for people suffering from a terminal illness to end their lives with the help of a doctor in England and Wales.
• Activists have welcomed the vote as a groundbreaking moment to provide more choice and safeguard for people who are terminally ill.
• The bill will now move to the parliamentary stage whereby other MPs can seek to make amendments on the bill.
• It will also be voted and passed through the House of Commons and the House of Lords before it be approved as a law.

North Korea and Russia have planned to enhance their military cooperation

• North Korean leader and Russian Defence Minister Belousov agreed to strengthen military cooperation between two nations on November 30, 2024.
• North Korea has been accused by US and South Korea of deploying more than 10000 troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
• Kim Jong-un wants to provide Russia with aid in exchange for North Korean forces access to cutting-edge military equipment and combat experience.
• Kim Jong-un denounced the recent Western powers decision to let Kyiv to launch an attack inside Russia at his meeting with Belousov.
• Kim Jong-un and Russian President Putin signed partnership pact in June that requires both countries to support one another militarily in the case of attack.
• A mutual commitment to work together to fight Western sanctions is another aspect of the strategic partnership pact.

Core sectors have a 3.1% increase in output in October

• Just over 40% of India's Industrial Production Index (IIP) is made up of the country's 8 main infrastructural industries.
• Core sector's production expanded by 3.1% in October 2024, greatest performance in the last 3 months.
• Index of Core Industries (ICI) grew 3.9% sequentially from September, 2024 to a preliminary figure of 161.3 in October.
• Core sectors saw high growth in coal (highest growth), refinery products, steel, electricity, cement, fertilizers, natural gas.
• September, 2024's growth was revised to 2.4%, while August saw a 1.6% contraction, the first shrinkage in three and a half years.
• Steel production reached a seven-month high in absolute terms, while cement and coal production were 4-month peaks in output.

The Bank of India and Punjab National Bank are set to increase the MCLR

• Marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) for BOI and PNB was raised by 5 basis points across a range of tenors on November 30, 2024.
• On December 1, 2024, the MCLR increase will go into effect.
• PNB raised its 3-month MCLR from 8.60% to 8.65% and its 1-month MCLR from 8.40% to 8.45%.
• BOI raised its 3-month MCLR from 8.55% to 8.60% and its 1-month MCLR from 8.40% to 8.45%.
• The MCLR boost raises borrowing costs, it is anticipated to have an impact on consumer loans.
• Generally, changes in banks' cost of funds have an effect on interest rates on deposits and loans, which in turn causes a rise in MCLR.

Tata firms set to commence operations at a vehicle scrapping facility in Pune

• Tata Motors and International opened "Re.Wi.Re – Recycle with Respect" Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) in Pune on November 30, 2024,.
• 21000 trashed cars can be disassembled each year at new plant and scrapping business uses environmentally friendly procedures.
• Tata International Vehicle Applications (TIVA), a fully owned subsidiary of Tata International, oversees running the RVSF.
• All brands of passenger and commercial cars can be scrapped at this site.
• Tata Motors emphasised that the ‘Re.Wi.Re’ program demonstrates its dedication to establishing a circular economy.
• It utilises cutting-edge recycling techniques to maximise the value of end-of-life automobiles.

SKOCH Award 2024

• ‘Shaasan Aplya Daari’ initiative by Maharashtra government won SKOCH Award 2024 in Citizen-Centric Administration section on November 30, 2024.
• The scheme was launched on May 15, 2023 in Patan town, Satara district of Maharashtra under the CM’s Public Welfare Cell.
• The phrase ‘Shaasan Aplya Daari’ means bringing Governance and essential services to the door of citizens.
• Over 50 lakh subsidies, farmer insurance grants, housing benefits, irrigation subsidies, job support were provided by this program.
• The Maharashtra government has introduced ‘Shaasan Aplya Daari 2.0’, aiming to expand its services to more people.
• SKOCH Award has a rigorous evaluation process that recognizes and acknowledges exceptional governance and public service delivery.