Current affairs 30 November 2024

India Proposes Multilateral Fund for Plastic Pollution at UNEA.

• India presented a proposal at United Nations Environment Assembly's 5th session to create a dedicated multilateral fund for plastic pollution, modeled after the Montreal Protocol.
• The fund aims to provide financial and technical support to developing countries to meet compliance measures, with technology transfer.
• Developed countries would bear the costs of developing nations' transition.

India Selects 8 Startups To Advance Quantum Technology.

• National Quantum Mission: Launched - April 2023
• Objectives: Communication, Atomic Clocks, etc.
• Selected Startups: QNu Labs (Bengaluru), QPiAI India Private Ltd. (Bengaluru), Dimira Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (IIT Mumbai), Prenishq Pvt. Ltd. (IIT Delhi), QuPrayog Pvt. Ltd. (Pune), Quanastra Pvt. Ltd. (Delhi), Pristine Diamonds Pvt. Ltd. (Ahmedabad), Quan2D Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Bengaluru).

Gujarat's New Cottage and Rural Industry Policy Highlights.

• Objective: Develop and sustain cottage industries, preserve handicrafts, and enhance market share domestically and internationally.
• Financial Boost: Loans increased under Shri Vajpayee Bankable Scheme (₹8 lakh to ₹25 lakh) and subsidies tripled (₹1.25 lakh to ₹3.75 lakh). Working capital loans for artisans raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh under the Dattopant Thengadi Scheme.

PM Modi to Launch "Bima Sakhi Yojana" in Panipat.

• PM Narendra Modi will launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana in Panipat on December 9, aimed at empowering women across India.
• The scheme focuses on financial security and insurance coverage for women, promoting entrepreneurship and economic participation.
• It includes financial assistance, access to insurance products, and skill development training to foster confidence and independence among women.

India's Q2 GDP Growth Hits Seven-Quarter Low at 5.4%.

• India's GDP growth slumped to 5.4% in Q2 FY 2024-25, the lowest in seven quarters, down from 6.7% in Q1. GVA growth also fell to 5.8% from 6.8% in Q1.
• While Agriculture (3.5%) and Services grew, sectors like Manufacturing (2.2%) and Mining (-0.1%) decelerated sharply.
• A rebound in consumption spending (6% PFCE growth) offered a silver lining, but slowed from Q1's 7.4% rise.