Current affairs 03 November 2024

UPI Sets Record in October with 16.58 Billion Transactions.

• In October, UPI transactions reached 16.58 billion in volume and Rs 23.5 trillion in value, a 1st for the digital payment since its inception in 2016.
• October's daily UPI transactions averaged 535 million in volume and Rs 75,801 crore in value.
• IMPS saw a 9% increase in volume, FASTag transactions also grew by 8% in volume while Aadhaar Enabled Payment System transactions rose 26% in volume.

RBI Repatriates 102 Tonnes of Gold for Enhanced Security.

• RBI brought back 102 tonnes of gold from the UK on Dhanteras, increasing India's domestic reserves to 510.5 tonnes amid rising global risks.
• Total reserves now stand at 855 tonnes, with 324 tonnes still in the UK under the Bank of England and BIS.
• India has repatriated 214 tonnes since September 2022.
• Earlier in May, India had already moved 100 tonnes from the UK.

Government Launches Namo Drone Didi Scheme for Women Self-Help Groups.

• The Namo Drone Didi Scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with a total budget of ₹1,261 crore.
• It aims to empower 14,500 selected Women SHGs between 2024-25 and 2025-26.
• This initiative is expected to enhance agricultural efficiency, support women's entrepreneurship, and promote modern farming techniques across rural areas.

Amit Shah Inaugurates Gujarat’s Largest Waste-to-Energy Plant in Ahmedabad.

• Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Gujarat’s largest waste-to-energy plant in Piplaj, Ahmedabad, set up through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at a cost of ₹375 crore.
• The plant is a collaborative effort between the Government of Gujarat and Jindal Urban Waste Management Company.
• It can process 1,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, generating up to 15 megawatts of electricity.

352nd Governing Body meeting of ILO is underway in Geneva.

• The ILO’s 352nd Governing Body meeting is being held in Geneva until November 7.
• Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra emphasized India’s efforts in reducing poverty, lifting 248 million from multidimensional poverty in nine years.
• She noted employment growth, with 170 million joining economic activities from 2016-17 to 2022-23.