Current affairs 11 March 2025

India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Water Treatment Chemicals.

• India imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to $986/tonne for five years on Trichloro Isocyanuric Acid imports from China & Japan to protect the domestic industry.
• The Directorate General of Trade Remedies recommended the duty after finding material injury to local manufacturers due to dumped imports.
• The Ministry of Finance emphasized that the measure ensures fair trade.

PM Launches Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign.

• This program aims to ensure universal food security under National Food Security Act & PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
• Over 2.3 lakh beneficiaries received benefits, with 2.5 lakh new beneficiaries identified, including elderly, widows, differently-abled individuals.
• Beneficiaries receive 5 kg food grains monthly, along with Toor Dal, Chana, Sugar & Double-Fortified Salt for enhanced nutrition.

India-Russia $248M Deal to Upgrade T-72 Tank Engines.

• India signed a $248M contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport to upgrade T-72 tanks with 1,000 HP engines, enhancing combat readiness.
• The deal includes Technology Transfer to Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (HVF, Chennai) for local production.
• The T-72 can cross rivers up to 5 meters deep using a snorkel and has a range of about 290 miles.
• Top speed: 60 km/h & above.
• Weight: 41 tons.

Govt Modifies Ethanol Scheme for Year-Round Production.

• The modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme allows cooperative sugar mills to operate year-round by converting ethanol plants to multi-feedstock units using maize and damaged food grains.
• ₹5,100 crore allocated, with 6% interest subsidy or 50% of bank interest, for 5 years, including a 1-year moratorium.
• It supports 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025, boosting energy independence.

Delhi Govt Launches Mahila Samridhi Yojana.

• Mahila Samridhi Yojana, approved on March 8, 2025, provides ₹2,500 monthly to economically weaker women in Delhi.
• The Delhi government allocated ₹5,100 crore for implementation, targeting BPL card holders not benefiting from other schemes.
• Eligibility: Women aged 18-60 years with an annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh qualify for assistance.