Current affairs 02 January 2023

India's unemployment rate rises at 8.30% in Dec 2022.

• According to the data, released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India's unemployment rate in December 2022 has been increased to a 16-month high at 8.30% from 8% in November 2022.
• The urban unemployment rate has been increased to 10.09% in December from 8.96%.
• While, the rural unemployment rate has been slipped to 7.44% from 7.55%.
• In December, the unemployment rate rose to 37.4% in Haryana, followed by Rajasthan (28.5) and Delhi (20.8%).

REC limited organized "Bijli Utsav" in Assam.

• REC Limited, a Maharatna Company under the Ministry of Power, has organized Bijli Utsav in Anandapur Gaon of Baksa district and adjoining villages in Assam.
• The event has highlighted the consumer rights of electricity, benefits and the challenges faced during electrification in remote areas. Various competitions and cultural programs were also organised.
• It was concluded with distribution of LED bulbs and geometry boxes as prizes to the winners of the competitions.

Tripura signs agreement with ADB for power project.

• Tripura government has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a power project worth Rs 2,275 crore.
• Of the total cost of the project, the state government would spend an amount of Rs 455 crore.
• The project include the replacement of Rokhia’s existing 63 MW (3X21 MW) Open Cycle power project with a 120 MW Combined Cycle power project.
• The project would also boost the efficiency of the Gumti hydroelectric power plant in Gomati district.

Rajeev Badyal named to National Space Council Advisory Group.

• USA Vice President, Kamala Harris has named Indian American Rajeev Badyal to a key national space advisory group.
• He will be responsible to maintain a robust and responsible US space enterprise and preserve space for current and future generations.
• Presently, he is serving as the vice-president of Project Kuiper of Amazon.
• Prior to this role, he was the vice president of satellites at SpaceX.
• Harris had named US Air Force Rtd General Lester Lyles as chair of the UAG.

India assumed chairmanship of Wassenaar Arrangement for one year.

• India has assumed the chairmanship of the plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement for one year on 1st January 2023.
• At the 26th annual plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement, Eoin O’Leary (Ireland’s ambassador) has handed over the chairmanship to Jaideep Mazumdar (India’s ambassador).
• Jaideep Mazumdar is the permanent representative to the UN and international organisations in Vienna.
• India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in December 2017 as 42nd participating state.