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PM Modi to launch a week-long programme ‘Sankalp Saptah’ for Aspirational Blocks on Saturday 

News: On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will introduce Sankalp Saptaah, a week-long initiative for Aspirational Blocks across the nation, in New Delhi.

• Three thousand people’s representatives and bureaucrats from all over the country, representing panchayat and block levels, will take part in the first programme in Bharat Mandapam.
• Additionally, almost two lakh individuals, including farmers, people from all walks of life, and officials at the block and panchayat levels, will virtually join the scheme.
• The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) must be implemented successfully for Sankalp Saptaah to be implemented. The prime minister announced the commencement of a statewide initiative on January 7th, this year, with the goals of raising citizens’ quality of life and enhancing block-level governance.
• In 329 districts, 500 Aspirational Blocks are putting it into practice. All throughout the nation, chintan shakes were held at the village and block levels in order to carry out the Aspirational Blocks Programme and to create an efficient block development strategy.
• The Chintan Shivirs culminate in the Sankalp Saptaah. From October 3 to October 9, every day in Sankalp Saptaah is devoted to a different development subject, around which all Aspirational Blocks will revolve.
• Sampoorna Swasthya, Suposhit Pariwaar, Swachhta, Krishi, Shiksha, and Samridhi Diwas are the themes for the first six days.
•   On October 9, the final day of the week, Sankalp Saptaah – Samavesh Samaroh, will be a celebration of the labour done over the whole week.

CBIC plays crucial role in fight against illicit trade: CBIC Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal 

News: Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, the chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), stated on Thursday that combating the issue of illicit trade is essential to preserving India’s economic stability, guaranteeing fair competition, and creating an atmosphere that is favorable to long-term development.

• Mr. Agarwal stated that CBIC is essential to the battle against illicit trade during his opening remarks at the two-day conference on Tackling Illicit Trade in New Delhi. FICCI, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, was the organisation that organised the conference.
• According to him, smugglers and their syndicates are being closely monitored by customs officials.
• CBIC had seized over 3,5 hundred kg of gold, 18 crore cigarette sticks, 140 metric tonnes of red sanders, and 19 tonnes of heroin during the previous fiscal year.
• Regarding the advantages of higher compliance, Mr. Agarwal stated that the government’s Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar programme was designed to promote improved compliance at the retail level. According to him, CBIC is launching global collaboration on cross-border smuggling.

CBIC 

• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is a vital regulatory body in India responsible for administering indirect taxes and customs duties.
• As part of the Ministry of Finance, CBIC plays a pivotal role in formulating policies, implementing tax reforms, and combating tax evasion. It oversees the functioning of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which streamlined India’s complex tax structure.
• CBIC also manages customs operations at ports and borders, ensuring the smooth flow of international trade.
• With a focus on revenue collection and trade facilitation, CBIC contributes significantly to India’s fiscal management and economic growth.

Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav, a 75 day-long event to celebrate Indian languages starts in Lucknow

News: The 75-day Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav, an occasion to honor the Indian languages, got underway in Lucknow today.

• The programme features a multilingual conference and performance based on the Ramayana today called Bahubhashi Sangoshthi, which is being attended by Padma Shri winners and representatives of several Indian languages.
• The celebration will run until December 11, which is recognised as Indian Languages Day and marks the birthday of renowned Tamil poet Subrahmanyam Bharti.
• The national government has chosen to commemorate Indian languages for 75 days under The Indian Languages Festival, and several programmes will be planned around the state to promote various Indian languages, according to Additional Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar.

 India retains 40th rank in Global Innovation Index 2023 

News: According to the Global Innovation Index 2023, India is still ranked 40th. According to NITI Aayog, India remained ranked 40th out of 132 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2023 Global Innovation Index rankings.

• According to the report, India’s position in the Global Innovation Index has been steadily improving over the last several years, going from 81 in 2015 to 40 in 2023.
• According to NITI Aayog, the enormous amount of intellectual capital, the thriving start-up ecosystem, and the efforts of both public and private research organizations are responsible for the ranking’s continuous development.
• According to the statement, the Atal Innovation Mission has been instrumental in growing the innovation ecosystem.
• In order to promote policy-led innovation in a variety of fields, including space exploration, biotechnology, nanotechnology, electric vehicles, and alternative energy sources, NITI Aayog has been striving to optimize government efforts in these sectors. Additionally, it has contributed to the growth of the innovation ecosystem in districts and states.

Bihar’s second tiger reserve to come up in Kaimur Sanctuary 

News: Bihar is set to establish its second tiger reserve within the picturesque landscape of Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, marking a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts. This new sanctuary will serve as a haven for the majestic big cats, enhancing their protection and bolstering their dwindling population in the region.

• Kaimur Sanctuary, located in the southwestern part of Bihar, is known for its diverse ecosystem, dense forests, and unique flora and fauna. The decision to declare it as a tiger reserve underscores the government’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable ecotourism.
• By establishing a tiger reserve here, Bihar aims to protect not only the charismatic tiger species but also conserve the entire ecosystem, including various other wildlife species and their habitats.
• This move is expected to boost wildlife research, monitoring, and conservation efforts in the region, contributing to the overall well-being of the environment and fostering awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation among the local communities. The establishment of the Kaimur Tiger Reserve will further enrich the rich tapestry of India’s wildlife conservation initiatives.