Daily Current Affairs 26th September 2024
1) India’s First CO2-to-Methanol Pilot Plant
- Location: Pune, India.
- Significance: First pilot plant in India for converting CO2 to methanol.
- Technology: Focus on Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU).
- Purpose: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.
- Output: Methanol as a renewable fuel and chemical feedstock.
- Climate Strategy: Part of India's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070.
2) Majority of Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes
- Recent Report: Released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Statistics: 97.7% of cases against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 98.91% against Scheduled Tribes (STs) are from 13 states.
- Concerned States: Includes Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Call to Action: Urgent need for protective measures and stricter penalties.
- Focus: Address systemic issues of discrimination and violence against marginalized communities.
3) Dust-free Delhi Initiative
- Launch: Initiated by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena in response to rising air pollution.
- Objective: Aim to reduce pollution levels, especially before the winter season when air quality worsens.
Agencies Involved:
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Public Works Department (PWD)
- Delhi Jal Board (DJB)
High-level Oversight and Monitoring
- Task Force: Led by P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
- Purpose: Assess Delhi’s readiness to combat air pollution and monitor actions against pollution sources.
- Review Measures Against:
- Stubble Burning: Adds to smog from burning leftover crops.
- Vehicle Emissions: Pollution from cars and trucks.
- Construction Dust: Dust from building sites affecting air quality.
- Solid Waste: Burning of garbage releases harmful smoke.
- Diesel Generators: Emissions from generators used during power outages.
- Stubble Burning: Adds to smog from burning leftover crops.
- Vehicle Emissions: Pollution from cars and trucks.
- Construction Dust: Dust from building sites affecting air quality.
- Solid Waste: Burning of garbage releases harmful smoke.
- Diesel Generators: Emissions from generators used during power outages.
4) Indian Navy Hosts Goa Maritime Symposium 2024
Important Points:
- Event Overview: The Goa Maritime Symposium 2024 (GMS-24) was held on September 23-24 at the Naval War College in Goa, aimed at enhancing maritime security cooperation among nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Theme: This year's theme was "Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region," focusing on issues like Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
Goals: The symposium aimed to strengthen multilateral cooperation and address shared maritime security challenges through open discussions and strategic partnerships, promoting a more secure and stable maritime environment.
Participation: The event included representatives from 14 countries, highlighting the collaborative spirit among nations like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives, and others, all sharing interests in maritime peace and stability.
Significance: GMS-24 serves as a critical platform for dialogue on maritime security, contributing to India's strategic partnerships and addressing common challenges in the region. It also sets the stage for the upcoming Goa Maritime Conclave in 2025
5) 10th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference to Be Held in New Delhi
Important Points:
- Event Overview: The Indian Parliament will host the 10th CPA India Region Conference in New Delhi, emphasizing commitment to legislative improvement and democratic strengthening.
- Leadership: The conference will be chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, also the Chairperson of the CPA India Region, who will guide discussions on key legislative issues.
- Participants:
- 46 Presiding Officers
- 4 Chairmen
- 25 Speakers
- 3 Deputy Chairmen
- 14 Deputy Speakers
- Attendance of key administrative officials, including Principal Secretaries and Secretaries.
- Pre-Conference Meeting: An Executive Committee meeting of the CPA India Region will precede the main conference to shape the agenda.
- Conference Theme: “The Role of Legislative Bodies in the Attainment of Sustainable and Inclusive Development,” focusing on the crucial role of parliaments in achieving societal goals.
- 46 Presiding Officers
- 4 Chairmen
- 25 Speakers
- 3 Deputy Chairmen
- 14 Deputy Speakers
- Attendance of key administrative officials, including Principal Secretaries and Secretaries.
