VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE

Current Affairs
(A book for TNPSC Examination)

MARCH 2022

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 My Dear Aspirants,
Greetings to all of you! “What we think we
become” Gautama Buddha. We all have dreams.
To make dreams come into reality it takes a lot
of determination, dedication, self discipline and
continuous effort.
We at VETRII IAS Study Circle are committed to
provide the right guidance, quality coaching and
help every aspirants to achieve his or her life’s
cherished goal of becoming a civil servant.
The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study
Circle is meticulously planned to equip the aspirants
with all the relevant facts and fundamentals of the
M. SHUNMUGAM subjects. Further the VETRII IAS Study Circle
Director Study materials aim to support the candidate by
Vetrii IAS Study Circle. providing the most relevant study material in a
comprehensive manner.
We also thank other family members of Vetrii for
making this effort a reality.
We wish the aspirants ALL THE VERY BEST
for their journey in Civil Services !

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 CONTENTS

HISTORY
01

31 POLITICAL SCIENCE

GEOGRAPHY
36

38 ECONOMICS

SCIENCE
43
NATIONAL–DIARY OF
EVENT 46

61 INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS

TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
62

100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. HISTORY
1.1 IMPORTANT DAYS

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ The day aims to ensure the right to equality,

inclusion, and protection of all people without
any discrimination in their law and policies to
Zero Discrimination
March 01 live a full life with dignity re-gardless of any
Day
barriers.The theme of Zero Discrimination Day
2022: “Remove laws that harm, create laws that
Empower”.

▪ World Civil Defence Day is celebrated every year

on 1st March to bring the attention of the world
public about the importance of Civil protection
and to pay tributes to the ef-forts, sacrifices, and
accomplishments of all the services responsible to
World Civil Defence
March 01 fight against disasters. The theme for the year 2022
Day
is “Civil defence and management of displaced
popula-tions in face of disasters and crises; role
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of volunteers and the fight against pandemics”.

International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO)
decided to celebrate this day in 1990.

▪ The 46th Civil Accounts Day has been celebrated

at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath,
New Delhi.The Minister for Finance & Corporate
Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest
Civil Accounts Day
March 02 of the occasion where she has launched a major
2022
e-governance initiative - the Electronic Bill
(e-Bill) processing system.This is launched as
part of ease of doing business and Digital India
eco-system.
2 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ The day aims to ensure the right to equality,

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inclusion, and protection of all people without
any discrimination in their law and policies to
Zero Discrimination live a full life with dignity re-gardless of any
March 01
Day barriers.
▪ The theme of Zero Discrimination Day 2022:
“Remove laws that harm, create laws that
Empower”.

▪ World Civil Defence Day is celebrated every year

on 1st March to bring the attention of the world
public about the importance of Civil protection
and to pay tributes to the ef-forts, sacrifices, and
accomplishments of all the services responsible
World Civil Defence to fight against disasters.
March 01
Day ▪ The theme for the year 2022 is “Civil defence
and management of displaced popula-tions in
face of disasters and crises; role of volunteers
and the fight against pandemics”.International
Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) decided to
celebrate this day in 1990.

▪ The 46th Civil Accounts Day has been celebrated

at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath,
New Delhi.
▪ The Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs
Civil Accounts Day Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest of
March 02
2022 the occasion where she has launched a major
e-governance initiative - the Electronic Bill
(e-Bill) processing system.This is launched as
part of ease of doing business and Digital India
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

eco-system.

▪ This day is celebrated globally on 3rd March and

is closely aligned with Sustainable Development
Goal 12 that is Life without water, which focuses
on marine species and highlights the problems,
critical issues of marine wildlife to our everyday
March 03 World Wildlife Day life.
▪ The theme of World Wildlife Day 2022 is
“Recovering key species for ecosystem
restoration”.The day was proposed by Thailand
and recognized in 2013 by United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA).
 HISTORY | 3

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ It is a campaign run by the Office of Prevention

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of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health
Organization (WHO) to spread awareness about
March 03 World Hearing Day hearing loss and promote ac-tions towards its
prevention and improved hearing care.
▪ The theme for this year's World Hearing Day is
“To hear for life, listen with care."

▪ It is observed to promote practical solutions to

end the global obesity crisis.The day is organized
March 04 World Obesity Day by the World Obesity Federation.The theme of
World Obesity Day 2022 is 'Everybody Needs to
Act'

▪ It is celebrated every year to commemorate the

foundation of the National Safety Council (NSC)
of India.
▪ The day aims to raise public awareness of all safety
principles, including road safety, workplace
safety, human health safety, and Environmental
March 04 National Safety Day safety.This year’s theme is ‘Nurture young minds
- Develop safety culture’.
▪ The first National Safety Day was observed
in 1972.About National Safety Council (NSC)
of India:National Security Council of India
Founded: 19 November 1998.National Security
Council of India head: Ajit Kumar Doval.

▪ It is also known as Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas.

The day aims to show gratitude to all the security
forces, including policemen, para-military forces,
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commandos, guards, army officers, and other

National Security
March 04 persons involved in security, who sacrifice their
Day lives in maintaining the peace and security of the
people of the country.
▪ Apart from this, National Security Week 2022 is
being celebrated from March 4 to March 10, 2022.

▪ This is the 4th Jan Aushadhi Diwas.The theme

of 4th Janaushadhi Diwas: “Jan Aushadhi-Jan
Upyogi”.
March 01 to Janaushadhi Diwas
▪ The Government has set a target to increase
07 2022
the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Ja-
naushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by the
end of March 2025.
4 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ This day honours women around the world,

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celebrates their social, economic, cultural, and
political achievements.
International
March 08 ▪ The theme for International Women’s Day 2022
Women's Day
is, “Gender equality today for a sustainable
tomorrow.”The United Nations began celebrating
the day in 1977.

▪ World Kidney Day is observed annually on the

2nd Thursday in March.
▪ This year, it is being observed on March 10, 2022
theme: "Kidney Health for All – Bridge the gap to
better kidney care".
March 10 World Kidney Day
▪ World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the
International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the
International Federation of Kidney Foundations
(IFKF).
▪ World Kidney Day started in 2006.

▪ It is the first annual observation in the World.

▪ On this day, the United National reaffirms
its commitment to develop and im-plement
appropriate and effective strategies and plans for
International Day of
March 10 the advancement of women in the judicial system
Women Judges
and institution at the managerial and leadership
level.
▪ The resolution of the General Assembly on this
was drafted by Qatar in 2021.

▪ It is also known as the Pi Day because the

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mathematical constant π (pi) can be rounded

down to 3.14.The theme for 2022 IDM is
“Mathematics Unites“.
International Day of ▪ The day was adopted in the 40th session of the
March 14
Mathematics General Conference of UNESCO in November
2019.
▪ Later in 2020, the world celebrated its First
International Day of Mathematics on March 14,
2020.

March 15 World Consumer Rights Day

 HISTORY | 5

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ The International Day of Action for Rivers.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the
World Consumer
March 14 International Day of Action for Rivers, with a
Rights Day
theme 'to highlight the importance of Rivers to
Biodiversity.'

▪ The theme for National Vaccination Day or

National
March 16 National Immunisation Day 2022 is "Vaccines
Vaccination Day
Work for all".

▪ Friday before the March equinox (This year, it

falls on March 18) ‘Quality Sleep, Sound
March 18 World Sleep Day
Mind, Happy World’ is the theme for World
Sleep Day 2022.

Global Recycling Day Ordnance Factories’ Day in India This year, the
March 20
theme is “recycling fraternity”.

▪ The theme of World Sparrow Day is “LOVE

March 20 World Sparrow Day
Sparrows.”

International Day of ▪ The theme for Happiness Day 2022 is "Keep

March 20
Happiness Calm, Stay Wise and Be Kind".

International Day of ▪ The theme for 2022 is “Forests and sustainable

March 21
Forests production and consumption”.

International Day
▪ The 2022 edition of the International Day
for the Elimination
March 21 focuses on the theme “VOICES FOR ACTION
of Racial
AGAINST RACISM”.
Discrimination
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

March 21 World Puppetry Day ▪ This year's theme is "the Sea".

▪ World Oral Health Day (WOHD), celebrated

every year on 20 March, aims to promote
awareness around a healthy mouth and oral
World Oral Health
March 20 hygiene.
Day
▪ This year, the theme for WOHD is “BE PROUD
of your Mouth”.

International
March 20 to
Adolescent Health ▪ The Official Theme of IAHW 2022: "Transitions".
26
Week
6 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ World Poetry Day is celebrated every year to

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

recognize the unique ability of poetry to capture
the creative spirit of the human mind.
▪ The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
March 21 World Poetry Day
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted this
day during UNESCO’s 30th session in Paris in
1999.

▪ The Day is commemorated as a global initiative

to increase awareness about hereditary disorders.
▪ The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2022
is “Inclusion Means”.
About WDSD:
World Down ▪ The first World Down Syndrome Day was
March 21 Syndrome Day observed in 2006.
(WDSD) ▪ In November 2011, the General Assembly
adopted a resolution by consensus to celebrate
World Down Syndrome Day every year.
▪ The next month it declared March 21 as World
Down Syndrome Day.

▪ The day aims to highlight the importance of

freshwater.
▪ It is used to advocate for the sustainable
management of freshwater resources.
▪ The World Water Day theme 2022 is
“Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible”.
March 22 World Water Day About:
▪ The United Nations General Assembly adopted
a resolution by which 22 March of each year was
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

declared World Day for Water, to be observed

starting in 1993.

▪ World Oral Health Day (WOHD), celebrated

every year on 20 March, aims to promote
awareness around a healthy mouth and oral
World Oral Health
March 20 hygiene.
Day
▪ This year, the theme for WOHD is “BE PROUD
of your Mouth”.

International
March 20 to
Adolescent Health ▪ The Official Theme of IAHW 2022: "Transitions".
26
Week
 HISTORY | 7

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ World Poetry Day is celebrated every year to

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

recognize the unique ability of poetry to capture
the creative spirit of the human mind.
▪ The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
March 21 World Poetry Day
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted this
day during UNESCO’s 30th session in Paris in
1999.

▪ The Day is commemorated as a global initiative

to increase awareness about hereditary disorders.
▪ The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2022
is “Inclusion Means”.
About WDSD:
World Down ▪ The first World Down Syndrome Day was
March 21 Syndrome Day observed in 2006.
(WDSD) ▪ In November 2011, the General Assembly
adopted a resolution by consensus to celebrate
World Down Syndrome Day every year.
▪ The next month it declared March 21 as World
Down Syndrome Day.

▪ The day aims to highlight the importance of

freshwater.
▪ It is used to advocate for the sustainable
management of freshwater resources.
▪ The World Water Day theme 2022 is
“Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible”.
March 22 World Water Day About:
▪ The United Nations General Assembly adopted
a resolution by which 22 March of each year was
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

declared World Day for Water, to be observed

starting in 1993.

▪ Every year, the Nation was observed on March

23rd as Martyrs Day (Shaheed Diwas or Sarvodaya
Day).
▪ The day was observed to pay tribute to the death
anniversary of the freedom fighters Bhagat
Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru,
Shaheed Diwas or who laid their lives for the freedom of India.
March 23
Martyrs’ Day
▪ Also, 30 January is observed as Martyr’s Day
or Shaheed Diwas in the memory of Mahatma
Gandhi.
8 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ World Meteorological Day is celebrated globally

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on March 23rd every year.
▪ The day is celebrated as the establishment of the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
World
March 23 which was established on March 23, 1950.
Meteorological Day
▪ World Meteorological Day 2022 is celebrated
keeping the theme of “Early Warning and Early
Action”.

▪ The day aims to pay tribute to those who have

devoted their lives or lost their lives in, the
struggle to promote and protect human rights
International Day
for all.
March 24 for the Right to the
▪ This day is observed on 24th March every year
Truth
to pay tribute to “Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo
Romero” as he was murdered on 24 March 1980.

▪ The day is observed every year on to create

awareness among the public about the global
epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to
World Tuberculosis
March 24 eliminate the disease.
Day
▪ The theme of World TB Day 2022 – ‘Invest to End
TB. Save Lives.’

March 25 The International Day of the Unborn Child

▪ (This year it falls on March 26) last Saturday of

March month
March 26 Earth Hour 2022
▪ The Earth Hour 2022 theme will focus on ‘Shape
Our Future.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The theme for this day has been the same over
March 27 World Theatre Day
the years, i.e., 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace.'
 HISTORY | 9

1.1 PROFILE OF STATES

Manipur: ▪ The Nagaland Assembly Secretariat has

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

attached a tablet or e-book on each table in
Manipur Meitei’s’ demand for ST Status the 60 members’ assembly amid the ongoing
Hangs Fire Budget session.
▪ A demand for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST)
status to the Meiteis has found no takers Kerala:
among the political parties in poll bound First state to introduce carbon-Neutral
Manipur.
Farming Methods:
▪ The Meitei’s are the dominant community in 40 ▪ Kerala is set to become the first state in the
of the 60 Assembly constituencies straddling country to introduce carbon-neutral farming
the Imphal and Jiribam Valleys. methods in selected locations, for which the
▪ A majority follow Hinduism, while a little Government has set aside Rs 6 crore in the
more than 8% are Muslims, known as Pangals 2022-23 Budget.
here. ▪ In the first phase, carbon-neutral farming
Nagaland: will be implemented in 13 farms under the
Agriculture Department and tribal areas, and
Nagaland became First Paperless steps are on to convert the State Seed Farm at
Assembly: Aluva to a carbon-neutral farm.
▪ Nagaland has created history by becoming the ▪ In the second phase, model carbon-neutral
first State Assembly in the country to implement farms will be developed in all the 140
the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) Assembly constituencies.
programme to become completely paperless.

1.2 LATEST JUDGEMENTS

Wearing Hijab is not Essential Part of
Religion: Karnataka HC
▪ The Karnataka High Court on March 15
upheld the ban on the wearing of hijab (head
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

scarf ) by students in schools and colleges in

the State.
▪ It held that wearing the hijab is not an
essential religious practice in Islam and
is not, therefore, protected under by the
right to freedom of religion guaranteed
by Article 25 of the Constitution.
▪ The court said it was a reasonable restriction
that was Constitutionally Permissible.
10 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.2 DEFENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND TERRORISM

Indian Navy Successfully Test-Fires India-Sri Lanka Maritime Exercise

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

advanced Version of Brahmos Missile: begins in Visakhapatnam:
▪ The Indian Navy on March 5 successfully ▪ THE NINTH edition of the India-Sri Lanka
test-fired an advanced version of the Brahmos bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX is
supersonic cruise missile demonstrating its underway at Visakhapatnam with an aim to
increasing strike capability. enhance interoperability and improve mutual
▪ The Navy said the missile hit its intended understanding between the navies of the two
target with pinpoint accuracy after traversing neighbouring countries in the strategically
an extended range trajectory and performing significant Indian Ocean Region.
complex manoeuvres. ▪ SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise)
▪ The Indian Navy successfully demonstrated is being conducted in two phases. The first
the accuracy of an extended-range land-attack one, the harbour phase at Visakhapatnam on
Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from the March 7 and 8, followed by the sea phase on
stealth destroyer INS Chennai in the Indian March 9 and 10 in the Bay of Bengal.
Ocean.
Dharma Guardian 2022:
▪ Both Brahmos missile and INS Chennai are
▪ India Japan bilateral Army exercise, Dharma
indigenously built and highlight the cutting-
Guardian, concluded at Belgaum on March 10
edge of Indian missile and ship-building
2022.
prowess. They reinforce the Indian Navy's
contribution towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat ▪ This Annual Military Exercise between the
and Make in India endeavors. armies of India and Japan commenced on 27th
February.
▪ BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint
venture, produces the supersonic cruise ▪ Dharma Guardian is an annual military
missiles that can be launched from submarines, exercise that is being conducted in India since
ships, aircraft, or land platforms. 2018.
▪ BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or ▪ Platoon level joint training on operations in
almost three times the speed of sound. semi-urban or urban terrain and the jungle is
covered in this exercise.
▪ The range of the advanced version of the
missile is learnt to have been extended to Other Joint Exercises with Japan:
around 350 km from the original 290 km. SHINYUU Maitri:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ This is a bilateral exercise conducted between

IAF decides to postpone Ex Vayu Shakti
the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF)
2022 and the Indian Air Force.
▪ The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to
JIMEX:
postpone its fire power demonstration, Ex
▪ It is a bilateral maritime exercise held between
Vayu Shakti, scheduled in the Pokhran ranges
Japan and India.
in Rajasthan on March 7 due to the developing
situation. Sahayog-Kaijin:
▪ A joint bilateral exercise between the Japan
▪ The Triennial Ex Vayu Shakti 2022, aimed
Coast Guard and the Indian Coast Guard.
at showcasing the capability of the IAF to
conduct full spectrum operations.
 HISTORY | 11

ICGS ‘Saksham’: ▪ The first missile hit a medium altitude long

▪ The Indian Coast Guard (ICR) has range target and the second a low altitude
commissioned ICGS ‘Saksham’, the fifth shortrange one.
Coast Guard Ship in the series of 105 M-Class

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▪ This MRSAM version is developed jointly
offshore patrol vessels. by the DRDO and the Israel Aerospace
▪ ICGS Saksham is the fifth and last Offshore Industries (IAI) for the Army.
Patrol Vessel designed and developed by Goa ▪ The system comprises multifunction radar,
Shipyard Limited (GSL) for Coast Guard. mobile launcher system and other vehicles.
▪ The vessel uses totally indigenous steering
gear and gearbox, which was being imported
earlier.

‘EX-DUSTLIK’:
▪ The third edition of the joint training exercise
between India’s and Uzbekistan’s armies
named ‘EX-DUSTLIK’ began in Uzbekistan’s
Yangiarik.
▪ The last edition of DUSTLIK was held in
Uttarakhand’s Ranikhet.
▪ The joint exercise will focus on Counter
Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain.

‘LAMITIYE-2022’:
▪ The 9th edition of the Joint Military Exercise
‘LAMITIYE-2022’ between the Indian Army
and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) was
held from March 22 to 31, 2022 at Seychelles
Defence Academy (SDA), Seychelles.
▪ The Indian Army contingent will be
represented by the 2/3 GORKHA RIFLES
group (PIRKANTHI Battalion).
▪ Exercise LAMITIYE is a biennial training
event, been conducted in Seychelles since 2001.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

India Test Fires Two Surface to Air

Missiles:
▪ India on March 27 successfully test fired two
Army version Medium Range Surface-to-Air
Missiles (MRSAMs) from the Integrated Test
Range at Chandipur in Odisha.
▪ The flight tests were carried out as part of live
firing trials against highspeed aerial targets,
sources in the Defence Research Development
Organisation (DRDO) said, adding that the
missiles intercepted the targets and destroyed
them completely, registering direct hits at both
the ranges.
12 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.3 WORLD ORGANISATIONS – PACTS AND SUMMITS

UNSC holds meet to discuss ▪ The WFP assists 88 countries, and has assisted

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Zaporizhzhia Fire: 97 million people (in 2019) which is the largest
▪ The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, built number since 2012.
between 1984 and 1995, is the largest nuclear UN World Happiness Report 2022:
power plant in Europe and the ninth largest ▪ India has improved its rank by three spots to
in the world. acquire 136th position in the United Nations’
▪ United Nations Security Council (UNSC) World Happiness Report for the year 2022,
members expressed alarm at the prospect of a which ranked 146 countries.
nuclear incident in Ukraine, at an Emergency ▪ The World Happiness Report is being
Meeting, convened hours after a training published by United Nations Sustainable
building at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear Development Solutions Network, since 2012,
power plant caught fire, as Russians moved in to rank countries by how happy their citizens
on the facility and seized control of it. perceive themselves to be.
▪ The International Atomic Energy (IAEA) chief ▪ Finland has topped the 2022 World Happiness
told the Council that no reactors had been Report, for the fifth continuous year.
damaged.
▪ Lebanon, which is facing economic meltdown,
WFP says war has Hit its Food fell to second from last on the index of 146
Programme: countries, just below Zimbabwe.
▪ A World Food Programme (WFP) official ▪ Afghanistan has been ranked as the
said on March 18 that food supply chains in unhappiest country in the world, at 146th
Ukraine were collapsing, with a portion of position.
infrastructure destroyed and many grocery ▪ Top 10 countries of the 2022 World Happiness
stores and warehouses Empty. Report:
About World Food Program:
Rank Country
▪ The World Food Programme (WFP) is the
leading humanitarian organization saving 1 Finland
lives and changing lives, delivering food
2 Denmark
assistance in emergencies and working with
communities to improve nutrition and build 3 Iceland
resilience.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

4 Switzerland
▪ It was founded in 1961 by the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United 5 The Netherlands
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with its
Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Indian Economist Jayati Ghosh named
▪ It is also a member of the United Nations as member of UN’s Advisory Board:
Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG),
▪ United Nations (UN) Secretary-General,
a coalition of UN agencies and organizations
Antonio Guterres has announced the
aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development
appointment of Indian development
Goals (SDGs).
economist Jayati Ghosh as a member of the
▪ The International community has committed UN’s newly established Advisory Board on
to end hunger, achieve food security and Effective Multilateralism.
improve nutrition by 2030.
 HISTORY | 13

▪ The 12-member high-level advisory board on ▪ He said the antiquities had been taken
effective multilateralism will be co-chaired by illegally from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat,
former Liberian president and Nobel laureate Himachal Pradesh and other States.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Swedish

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Culture Ministry said the antiquities were
prime minister Stefan Lofven. divided into six broad categories: Shiva and
▪ The new advisory board will be asked to his disciples; worshipping Shakti; Lord Vishnu
build on the ideas in Our Common Agenda and his forms; Jain tradition; and portraits and
including the centrality of women and girls, decorative objects.
and the need to take into account the interests ▪ An official from Archaeological Survey of India
of young people and future generations to said with these antiquities from Australia, the
make concrete suggestions for more effective number of retrieved antiquities in India had
multilateral Arrangements across a range of reached 228.
key Global Issues. ▪ Three more antiquities — one each from Italy,
International Network for Women in the United Kingdom and Australia — would
soon be brought back to India as they had been
Cooperatives to be formed:
handed over to Indian High Commissions in
▪ The formation of an International Network
those countries.
for Women in Cooperatives has been initiated
with 1,000 members, said Nandini Azad, Modi moots Free Trade Agreement for
President, Working Women’s Forum (India) BIMSTEC:
(WWFI), Indian Cooperative Network for ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for
Women (ICNW). strengthening the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
▪ She was addressing the United Nation’s Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
66th edition of the Commission Status of Economic Cooperation), and welcomed the
Women (UNCSW 66) virtual parallel event unveiling of the Charter of the organisations
titled “COVID – Heroines Women micro that connects the littoral countries of the Bay
entrepreneurs warriors combat COVID 19 of Bengal.
Working Women’s Forum/Indian Cooperative ▪ The summit concluded in Colombo on March
Network for Women”. 30.
Nod to continue AIDS Control ▪ Addressing the meeting virtually, Mr. Modi
Programmes: said: “Today we have adopted the Charter of
▪ The Union Cabinet has approved the BIMSTEC. This is an important step towards
continuation of the National AIDS and STDs creating an institutional architecture of
BIMSTEC.”
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Control Programme, a scheme funded by

the Centre from April 1, 2021 to March 31, ▪ The Charter had given the BIMSTEC a new
2026 with an outlay of ₹15,471.94 crore by orientation and concrete goals.
approving Phase 5 of the programme. ▪ Under this Charter, the members were
▪ The Phase 4 (Extension) of National AIDS expected to meet once in every two years.
and STDs Control Programme concluded on ▪ The signing of the Charter was the main
March 31, 2021. outcome of this summit.
▪ With the Charter, the BIMSTEC now has an
29 Stolen Antiquities brought back to
international personality. It has an emblem, it
India from Australia: has a flag.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected 29
▪ It has a formally listed purpose and principles
stolen antiquities dating as far back as 9th
that it is going to adhere to. It represents
century that were brought back to India from
significant evolution of the grouping.
Australia about a week ago.
14 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Prime Minister called for a Free Trade ▪ Initially, it was formed with four Member
Agreement among the member countries. States with the acronym ‘BIST-EC’
▪ He mentioned the necessity for coastal (Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand
Economic Cooperation).

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shipping ecosystem and electricity grid
interconnectivity, as two of the necessary ▪ It became renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ in 1997,
components of the evolving shape of the following the inclusion of Myanmar.
BIMSTEC. ▪ With the admission of Nepal and Bhutan in
▪ India will be the “security pillar” of the 2004, the name of the grouping was changed
BIMSTEC. to ‘Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
▪ The summit saw the declaration of the Technical and Economic Cooperation’
Master Plan for Transport Connectivity that (BIMSTEC).
would provide a framework for regional and
domestic connectivity.
▪ In line with the development of the
organisation into a formal structure, the
leaders of the member countries had agreed to
divide the working of the grouping into seven
segments, with India providing leadership to
the security pillar.
▪ BIMSTEC is a multilateral regional cooperation
platform and the aim is to focus on economic
and development cooperation to do activities
that genuinely deliver value to people.
▪ Members on this platform are countries who
are geographically littoral to or dependent
upon the Bay of Bengal.
About BIMSTEC:
▪ The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-
Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) is a Regional Multilateral
Organization.
▪ Its members lie in the littoral and adjacent
areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

contiguous regional unity.

▪ Out of the 7 Members,
9 Five are from South Asia
9 Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri
Lanka
9 Two are from Southeast Asia
9 Myanmar & Thailand.
▪ BIMSTEC not only connects South and
Southeast Asia, but also the ecologies of the
Great Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal.
▪ This sub-regional organization came into being
in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
 HISTORY | 15

1.4 EMINENT PERSONS

G.D. Naidu - An Innovator for all ▪ According to the Sedition (Rowlatt)

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Seasons Committee Report, 1918, the protest
▪ Born on March 23, 1893, to a farmer named was marked by wholesale and deliberate
Gopalsamy at a village called Kalangal, destruction of government property in open
around 26 km from Coimbatore, G.D. Naidu defiance of the constituted authority.
did not show any interest in schooling. ▪ Every public building in Tinnevelly
▪ His biographical book, “Appa”, authored by [Tirunelveli] town, except the Sub-Registrar’s
Sivasankari and updated recently by Naidu’s office, was attacked.
son G.D. Gopal. ▪ VOC sought to destabilise the financial might
▪ In 1915, he joined the kitchen of British of the British by launching the Swadeshi Steam
entrepreneur Robert Stanes, who was staying Navigation Company.
in Coimbatore. There he managed to learn ▪ The district came under British control only
English. after the struggle, VOC and his navigation
▪ Impressed with Naidu’s work, Stanes sold company were crushed. March 13, 1908
one of his buses to him in 1921, which Naidu remains an indelible day in the freedom
operated between Pollachi and Palani, struggle.
according to the book. ▪ In Tuticorin, the entire workers of the Coral
▪ By 1933, he established the United Motor (Harvey) Mills, numbering more than 1,500,
Service that had a fleet of 280 buses. went on strike.
▪ Workers from other European establishments
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai such as Ralli Bros and Best and Co. also struck
▪ When Tirunelveli erupted like a volcano in work. More than a hundred persons were
March 1908 arrested following the uprising. Most of them
▪ There is a scene in Kappalotiya Tamilan, the were convicted. The Government fought the
film portraying the life of freedom figther cases hard, employing European lawyers from
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC), in which Chennai.
an advocate would refuse to engage a barber
Ramanathan, the leader of the
because he raised the slogan, Vande Mataram.
Karanthai Tamil Sangam, Passed Away:
▪ But in reality, it was the barber, who stopped
▪ He was the founder of various educational
the work in the middle and the pro-British
institutions, the President of the Karanthai
lawyer had to be escorted out of the district to
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Tamil Sangam from 1983 to 1997 and the

complete his shaving.
Secretary from 2000 to 2021.
▪ It happened [in Tirunelveli] 114 years ago in
▪ Later, he resumed his career as a leader from
March 1908 after VOC and Subramania Siva
2021 and was the recipient of the Karanthai
were arrested for eulogising freedom fighter
Tamil Chemmal, Ceyal Mamani, Chemmozhi
Bipin Chandra and calling upon people to
Velir etc. Awards.
boycott foreign goods.
▪ The incident exemplifies how society as a Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women
whole threw itself in the struggle against 2021 announced:
British rule. ▪ Fortune India released the list of most powerful
▪ It was a spontaneous uprising. People cutting women in India 2021 in which Union Minister,
across class, caste and religion plunged into it. Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Corporate
▪ Even, butchers stopped selling meat to their Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman ranked 1st.
European customers and they were forced to
import meat from Colombo.
16 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ She is followed by Reliance Foundation ▪

Chairperson and Goodwill Ambassador
Nita Ambani in 2nd position, and Soumya
Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health

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Organization (WHO) at 3rd.
▪ Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive
Chairperson, Biocon and Suchitra Ella,
Co-founder and Joint MD, Bharat Biotech
International Ltd are in 4th & 5th position
respectively.

Former CJI Lahoti passes away at 81:

▪ Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ramesh
Chandra Lahoti was appointed the 35th CJI on
June 1, 2004.
▪ He retired on November 1, 2005.
▪ He was a former independent director on the
board of directors of the Press Trust of India.
▪ He was appointed arbit rator by the
Government of India in the ₹20,000crore tax
dispute case with Vodafone.

Madeleine Albright Passes Away:

▪ Madeleine Albright, who fled the Nazis as a
child in her native Czechoslovakia during
Second World War but rose to become the first
woman Secretary of State and, in her later
years, a feminist icon, died on March 23 at the
age of 84.
▪ She served as America’s top diplomat from
1997 to 2001 in the last four years of Clinton
Administration.
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 HISTORY | 17

1.4 AWARDS & HONORS

Three T.N. Women awarded Nari Shakti function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi

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Puraskar on 08.03.2022.
▪ Three Women from Tamil Nadu were among ▪ Mine-I of Neyveli received the National Safety
those who received the Nari Shakti Puraskar Award (Mines) – Winner for the year 2018,
from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, 2019 and 2020 under the category “Lowest
on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Injury Frequency Rate (LIFR)” per Million
▪ Jaya Muthu and Tejamma, two Toda artisans, cubic metre of output, Mine-II of Neyveli was
were jointly awarded from Tamil Nadu for the awarded National Safety Award (Mines) –
year 2020, and R. Thara eminent psychiatrist, Winner under the category “Longest Accident-
was among the awardees for 2021. Free Period (LAFP)” for the year 2020.
▪ The artisans, who produce embroidered ▪ The Directorate General of Mines Safety,
shawls, are from Bettumund, known by the (DGMS) functioning under the Ministry is
Toda community as Innkity. enforcing the Safety practices and evaluating
the Mines for the National Awards from 1983
▪ The “mund”, or Toda hamlet, is home to
onwards. These awards are presented to the
around 30 people and is located between
eligible Mines Annually.
Kattabettu and Ralliah Dam.
▪ Both Ms. Muthu and Ms. Tejamma are expert Boltzmann Medal:
Toda artisans who have produced exquisite ▪ The prestigious Boltzmann Medal for the year
embroidery work that showcases the rich 2022 has been awarded to Professor Deepak
culture and heritage of the community. Dhar.
▪ R. Thara, cofounder and vice-chairman, ▪ He became the first Indian to win this award
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), and shared the award with American scientist
was among the 14 awardees selected for the John Hopfield.
year 2021. ▪ The chosen two scientists will be presented the
▪ A psychiatrist by training, Dr. Thara has medals at the StatPhys28 conference to be held
been a pioneer in raising awareness about in Tokyo in August, 2022.
mental health, and instrumental in forging ▪ The Commission on Statistical Physics of
collaborations with renowned institutions the the International Union of Pure and Applied
world over. Physics (IUPAP) presents this medal once in
▪ She had championed the use of mobile three years for contributions in the field of
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

telepsychiatry to reach out to rural statistical physics.

communities in Tamil Nadu for Schizophrenia
care. Miss World 2021 is Karolina Bielawska
▪ The IDEAS (Indian Disability Evaluation & from Poland:
Assessment Scale) tool, devised by her, is used ▪ Karolina Bielawska from Poland who has been
to assess Mental Disorders. crowned Miss World 2021 at the 70th edition
of the pageant at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
NLC india limited's Mines Recognized ▪ Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica
with coveted National Safety Awards: crowned her successor at the finale.
▪ The Neyveli Mine-I & II of NLC India Limited ▪ Shree Saini of USA and Olivia Yacé of Cote
has bagged four National Safety Awards for D’Ivoire emerged as the first and second
the year 2018,2019 and 2020, instituted by runners-up, respectively.
Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ▪ India’s Manasa Narayan couldn’t make it to
and the awards were presented by Hon’ble the top six.
Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav at a
18 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

President gives Away Padma Awards: ▪ Topology is a field of mathematics which was
▪ India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General born in the 19th century and has to do with
Bipin Rawat and the late Radheshyam properties of surfaces that do not change when
Khemka who headed the Gita Press that is they are deformed.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

well known for publishing Hindu religious
Manikandan to be Honoured with
literature, were given the Padma Vibhushan,
the second highest civilian award, Water Warrior Award for Restoring
posthumously. Vellalore Lake:
▪ Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Tata ▪ In recognition of his commendable work,
Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, former Manikandan has been chosen to be honoured
Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv with water warrior award by Union Jal Shakti
Mehrishi, Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at ‘Jal
Serum Institute of India (SII) that manufactures Prahari Samman-2022’ on the theme “Water
the Covishield vaccine, para-athelete and Self Reliant India Efforts and Challenges” at
javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia were New Delhi on March 30.
among the eight people who were honoured 1st Para-athlete to receive Padma
with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest
Bhushan:
civilian award.
▪ Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-
▪ Many of the Padma awardees were “unsung
athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan award.
heroes”, including the 125yearold yoga
practitioner Swami Sivananda. ▪ He has won many Paralympic medals,
including gold at the 2004 Paralympics in
▪ Announced on the eve of Republic Day and
Athens and 2016 Rio Games, and a silver
given by the President at ceremonial functions
medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, this year has 128
awards, including two duo cases (in a duo INS Valsura awarded President’s
case, the award is counted as one). The list of Colour:
awardees comprises four Padma Vibhushan, ▪ President Ram Nath Kovind on March 25
17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri presented the President’s Colour to INS
awards. Valsura, the Navy’s premier Technological
▪ While 34 of the awardees are women, the list training establishment.
includes 10 persons from the NRI, PIO and ▪ The President’s Colour is bestowed on a
OCI categories and 13 posthumous awardees. military unit in recognition of the exceptional
American mathematician Sullivan wins service rendered to the nation, both in peace
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

and in war.
Abel prize:
▪ The Norwegian Academy of Science and ▪ INS Valsura trains officers and men on
Letters has awarded the Abel prize for operation and maintenance of sophisticated
the year 2022 to American Mathematician and technologically advanced equipment on
Dennis Parnell Sullivan, who is with the board warships.
Graduate School and University Center of the ▪ The Navy was the first Indian armed force
City University of New York and the State to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr
University of New York at Stony Brook “For his Rajendra Prasad on May 27, 1951.
ground breaking contributions to topology ▪ INS Valsura, started on 30 acres of land as
in its broadest sense, and in particular its a torpedo school in 1942 under the British,
algebraic, geometric and dynamical aspects”. has today grown into one of the foremost
technological training institutions of the
country spread over 600 Acres.
 HISTORY | 19

National Water Awards: About Sahitya Akademi:

▪ Tamil Nadu bagged the third prize in ▪ The Sahitya Akademi was formally
water management awarded by the Union inaugurated by the Government of India on 12
Government. March 1954.

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▪ The Award was received by Water Resources ▪ Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy
Department Secretary Sandeep Saxena in New of Letters, is the central institution for literary
Delhi. dialogue, publication and promotion in
▪ Uttar Pradesh won the first place and the country and the only institution that
Rajasthan emerged second. undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian
languages, including English and Rajasthani.
▪ The National Water Awards was announced
by the Centre in 2018. ▪ Though set up by the Government, the Akademi
functions as an autonomous organisations. It
▪ Apart from the third place, Tamil Nadu also
was registered as a society on 7 January 1956,
bagged several other awards in South Zone
under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
category such as
▪ The Sahitya Akademi award is the second-
▪ Second prize for Vellapudur panchayat in
highest literary honour by the Government of
Chengalpattu district under best panchayat.
India, after the Jnanpith award.
▪ Third Prize for Madurai Corporation under
Urban Local body category. 94th Oscars in California:
▪ First place for Kaveripattinam Girls Higher ▪ The 94th Academy Awards returned to the
Secondary School in Krishnagiri for best Dolby Theater in Hollywood as the top films
school. from the last year were honoured by the
▪ Second place for Hyundai Motors in Tamil Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Nadu under industries sector. ▪ Indian documentary Writing With Fire is also
▪ Second place for Vivekananda Kendra in nominated for Best Documentary (Feature).
Kanniyakumari district under best NGO ▪ The movie "Dune" won six awards.
category. List of Winners:
9 Best Actor in a Leading Role: Will Smith,
Indira Parthasarathy conferred Sahitya “King Richard”
Akademi Fellowship:
9 Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica
▪ Noted playwright, writer, scholar and critic Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Indira Parthasarathy was conferred the
9 Best Picture: CODA
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship by the Sahitya
Akademi on March 29. 9 Best International Feature Film: Drive My
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Car
▪ The fellowship, which is India’s highest
literary honour, is presented to distinguished 9 Documentary Short Subject: The Queen of
scholars of outstanding literary merit. Basketball
▪ The number of Akademi fellows at a given 9 Best Directing: Jane Campion (The Power
time is restricted to only 21. of the Dog)
▪ A Padma Shri awardee, he has published 9 Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Ariana
16 novels, 10 plays and anthologies of short DeBose (West Side Story)’
stories and essays. 9 Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Troy
▪ He won the Sahitya Akademi Award in Kotsur (CODA)
1977 for his novel ‘Kuruthipunal’ and is the 9 Best Makeup & Hairstyling: The Eyes of
only Tamil writer to have received both the Tammy Faye
Sahitya Akademi Award and the Sangeet 9 Best Cinematography: Dune
Natak Akademi Award.
20 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

9 Best Original Score: Hans Zimmer (Dune) ▪ Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google
9 Best Visual Effects: Dune CEO Sundar Pichai were among those who
9 Best Animated Feature Film: Encanto were named for Padma Bhushan but they
were not present at the event.

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9 Best Animated Short Film: The Windshield
Wiper ▪ The Padma Shri awardees include the country’s
first individual Olympic gold medallist Neeraj
9 Best Costume Design: Cruella
Chopra and popular playback singer Sonu
9 Best Original Screenplay: Kenneth Nigam.
Branagh (Belfast)
▪ This year’s total list comprises four Padma
9 Best Adapted Screenplay: Sian Heder Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107
(Coda) Padma Shri awards.
9 Best Live Action Short Film: The Long
Goodbye
9 Best Sound: Dune
9 Best Documentary Feature: “Summer of
Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could
Not Be Televised)”
9 Best Original Song: “No Time To Die”
from “No Time to Die,” music and lyric by
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
9 Best Production Design: Dune
9 Best Film Editing: Dune

Padma Awards:
▪ Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan
Singh, actor Victor Banerjee, Olympic gold
medallist Neeraj Chopra were among the 65
persons who were given the Padma awards
by President Ram Nath Kovind on March 28.
▪ At the second investiture ceremony held at the
Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kalyan Singh was given
the Padma Vibhushan, posthumously.
▪ Rajveer Singh, Lok Sabha member from Uttar
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Pradesh and son of the former Chief Minister,

during whose tenure the Babri Masjid was
demolished in 1992, received the honour.
▪ Classical singer Prabha Atre was the other
recipient of the country’s second highest
civilian award.
▪ The Padma Bhushan recipients included
Krishna Murthy Ella and Suchitra Krishna
Ella of Bharat Biotech, the maker of
coronavirus vaccine Covaxin, apart from actor
Victor Banerjee.
 HISTORY | 21

1.6 SPORTS & GAMES

World Athletics Race Walking Team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022:

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Championship MUSCAT 2022: ▪ The 12 edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket
▪ India bagged their first-ever medal in World Cup is being held in New Zealand
the World Athletics Race Walking Team which has kicked off on March 4.
Championships 2022 on March 4, winning ▪ The opening match of the ICC Women’s
a bronze medal in the women's 20km race World Cup 2022 was held at the Bay Oval in
walking team competition. Mount Maunganui between West Indies and
▪ This is India's first medal in the 61-year history New Zealand.
of the World Athletics Race Walking Team ▪ The final match is scheduled to take place at
Championships. the Hagley Oval stadium on April 3.
▪ The Indian team of Bhawna Jat, Ravina and ▪ Total 8 teams are participating which includes,
Munita Prajapati finished third behind China New Zealand, Australia, England, South
and Greece to win the bronze medal. Lithuania Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and West
finished fourth in the standings. Indies.
World Table Tennis Contender Muscat First Woman to appear in World Cups:
2022: ▪ The Indian Women cricket team captain,
▪ The Indian mixed doubles pair of Manav Mithali Raj has become the first woman to
Thakkar and Archana Kamath clinched a appear in six World Cups.
silver medal after losing their final match to ▪ She is the only third cricketer overall to play
the Chinese pair of Wang Chuqin and Chen six world cup after Sachin Tendulkar and
Xintong in the mixed doubles, as did the Javed Miandad.
women's doubles duo of Sutirtha Mukherjee ▪ She has played in the ICC women’s cricket
and Ayhika Mukherjee lost to Zhang Rui and world cup events in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013,
Kuai Man, also from China in the women's 2017, and now in 2022.
doubles summit clash at the WTT Contender
tournament in Muscat on March 5. 23rd Woman Grandmaster of India:
▪ 19-year-old Priyanka Nutakki has secured
ISSF World Cup Rifle / Pistol Cairo, EGYPT: her final WGM-norm at MPL’s forty-seventh
▪ The first place in the Medal Standing was National Women Chess Championship.
taken by India with 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 1
▪ She became India’s twenty-third Woman
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bronze), the Second by Norway with 6 medals

Grandmaster.
(3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze), the third by
France with 3 Gold Medals. ▪ She is from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

India's Second-highest Wicket-taker: Mithali Raj breaks World Cup Captaincy

▪ Ravichandran Ashwin has become India's Record:
second-highest wicket-taker in Test crickets ▪ India’s ODI skipper Mithali Raj on March 12
after Anil Kumble by taking his 435th test broke the record for most matches captained
wicket in his 85-test match and 9th highest in in the ICC Women’s World Cup, surpassing
Test History. former Australian counterpart Belinda Clark.
▪ Ashwin achieved the feat when he dismissed ▪ Mithali, 39, led the country in 24 World Cup
Sri Lankan batsman Pathum Nissanka in the games, claiming 14 victories, 8 losses and one
Test between India and Sri Lanka at the PCA no result. Clark had captained her side in 23
Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh on March 6. matches.
22 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Highest Wicket Taker in Women’s WC Spanish Para Badminton

History: International-I:
▪ Veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami on ▪ Manasi G. Joshi and Nithya Sree claimed

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March 12 surpassed yet another milestone in a gold each, while Tokyo Paralympics
her illustrious 22-year-old career by becoming champion Pramod Bhagat secured two silvers
the all-time highest wicket-taker in the history and a bronze at the Spanish Para Badminton
of the ICC Women’s World Cup. International-I in Cartagena, Spain.
▪ With 40 scalps in her kitty, Goswami has ▪ In all, India tallied 21 medals, including six
surpassed Australia’s Lynette Fullston, who Golds, seven silvers and eight bronze medals.
took 39 wickets during her career spanning six
year from 1982 to 1988. Cristiano Ronaldo breaks World Record
in Football:
World Golf Hall of Fame: ▪ With 807 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo etched
▪ Famous Golfer, Tiger Woods was formally his name in the record books as professional
inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. football’s all-time leading scorer surpassing
▪ The 46-year-old Woods entered the storied Austro-Czech Josef Bican (805).
hall as part of the Class of 2022 along with ▪ Ronaldo, who scored the opener for
retired PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, Manchester United against Tottenham in the
U.S. Women’s Open champion Susie Maxwell Premier League on March 12.
Berning and Marion Hollins, a U.S. Women’s
Amateur champion and Golf course architect Indian Boxers Punch to Gold at Asian
who was recognised Posthumously. Youth & Junior Boxing Championships
2022 in Amman, Jordan:
Malappuram all set for Santosh Trophy
▪ The Indian junior team finished their
▪ Kerala Minister for Sports V. Abdurahiman campaign in second position at the prestigious
released the mascot of the Santosh Trophy continental tournament bagging eight gold,
Football Championship here on March 13. seven silver and six bronze medals.
▪ The mascot, designed by Pradeep Kumar ▪ Indian boxer Krrish Pal won gold by defeating
from Kechery, Thrissur, was chosen for the Tajikistan’s Anushervon Fazylov in 46kg
75th Santosh Trophy to be held in the district category event.
from April 16.
▪ In the 75kg category, Indian boxer Muskan
National Junior Chess Gurugram: produced an aggressive show against
▪ Neelash Saha (7.5 points) scored an expected Kazakhstan’s Aidasaribarova and won gold.
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victory over Aryan Arora to overtake fellow ▪ India's Shaheen Gill won gold in 60kg
overnight leader and Bengal teammate Utsab category event.
Chatterjee for the National junior chess title on ▪ Indian boxer Tamanna won gold by defeating
March 13. Uzbekistan’s Robiyankhon Bakhtiyorova in
▪ In the girls’ section, Andhra Pradesh’s the 50kg category event.
N. Priyanka justified her top seeding by ▪ India's Yashwardhan Singh (Men) registered
winning the title following a ninth-round impressive victory in the finals to clinch gold
draw with Tamil Nadu’s B. Sajitha. in 60kg category event.
▪ Priyanka had finished third in the National ▪ Ravina defeated Uzbekistan’s Sitora
women championship at Bhubaneswar. Bahodirova in the finals in the 63kg category
event.
▪ India's Nivedita Karki won gold in 48kg
category event.
 HISTORY | 23

▪ Six Indian juniors, including Vini, Yakshika Barty Announces Shock Retirement:
and Vidhi, registered contrasting wins to ▪ Top ranked Ashleigh Barty stunned the tennis
claim gold medals in their weight categories at world on March 23 by retiring from the sport
the 2022 ASBC Asian youth & junior boxing aged just 25, saying she had fulfilled her

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championships in Amman, Jordan, on March dreams and was “spent physically”.
13. ▪ Barty is just the fifth woman in WTA history
▪ Add this as last point in Indian Boxers Punch to finish three straight years at No. 1 (Evert,
to Gold at Asian Youth & Junior Boxing Navratilova, Graf and Serena).
Championships 2022 in Amman, Jordan: ▪ She’s one of six women in the Open Era to win
Asian Youth and Junior Boxing their first three Slam finals. (Seles-6, Osaka-4,
Wade, Davenport, Capriati-3).
Championships in Amman, Jordan:
▪ Vishwanath Suresh (48kg) and Vanshaj ▪ Barty is among nine women who have at
(63.5kg) clinched gold medals in the men’s least one singles Slam title on every surface
youth competition as the Indian contingent in the Open Era (Court, Serena, Graf, Evert,
concluded its campaign with a whopping 39 Navratilova, King, Goolagong, Sharapova).
medals, including 15 gold, at the Asian youth Pranav Sprints to 200m Gold:
and junior boxing championships in Amman,
▪ Sprinter Pranav Prashant Desai won India’s
Jordan.
first gold medal at the 2022 World Para
▪ The haul included 10 silver and 14 bronze. Athletics Grand Prix Dubai on March 23,
The Indian youth pugilists secured seven gold, claiming the top prize in the men's 200m T64
three silver and Eight Bronze medals while the final.
junior team finished with 21 medals, including
▪ Pranav’s gold was the only medal for India on
eight gold, seven Silver and Six Bronze.
a day when the throwers faltered.
Chennai to host 44th Chess Olympiad: WTT Contender Doha 2022:
▪ The International Chess Federation (FIDE)
▪ India’s table tennis players finished the WTT
Council had earlier decided to shift the event
Contender Doha with two medals, including
out of Moscow in Russia.
a singles bronze won by Achanta Sharath
▪ The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Kamal, as the seniors showed the way on the
said in a social media post: “Delighted that the concluding day of the competition.
Chess Capital of India is set to host the 44th
▪ G Sathiyan and Manika Batra settled for the
Chess Olympiad!
silver after losing the mixed doubles final
▪ In the previous 43 times that the official FIDE against the top-seeded Chinese Taipei pair of
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Chess Olympiad has been organised since Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching.
1927, India has not once been able to be the
▪ Sharath went down in the men’s singles
host nation.
semifinals against Yuan Licen of China.
All England Championships 2022: DGC Open 2022:
▪ Lakshya Sen, who won bronze at the World
▪ After a dramatic sequence of events over the
Championships, placed second at the 2022 All
last five holes leading to the playoff hole,
England Open Badminton Championships
Nitithorn Thippong won the inaugural
after losing to world number one Viktor
$500,000 DGC Open title for his maiden
Axelsen in the men’s singles final.
triumph on the Asian Tour.
24 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Swiss Open Super 300 Badminton

Tournament Basel:
▪ P.V. Sindhu clinched her Second women’s

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

title of the season with a win over Thailand’s
Busanan Ongbamrungphan, but H.S. Prannoy
lost in the men’s singles final at the Swiss
Open Super 300 badminton tournament
Basel on March 27.

19th Delhi International Open Chess

Tournament 2022:
▪ Arjun Erigaisi won the title in 19th Delhi
International Open chess tournament 2022.
▪ Following a three-way tie at 8.5 points from
10 rounds, involving D. Gukesh and Harsha
Bharathakoti, Arjun walked away with the
winner’s share of ₹4 lakh and a glittering
trophy.
▪ For the second time this month, 15-year-old
Gukesh finished runner up to Arjun.
▪ Harsha was rewarded for his gallant display
with the Third Prize.
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 HISTORY | 25

1.7 BOOKS & AUTHORS

'Thanikkai' Book: ▪ The book highlights the key role played

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga by Keshav Dev Malaviya, who was the
Rajan released a book Thanikkai, written by petroleum minister in the 1970s with a Degree
R. Thirupathy Venkatasamy, Indian Audit in Oil Technology.
and Accounts Service (IAAS), on March 4.
A great teacher who revived Ancient
Journalist Amitava Kumar's Book: Tamil literature:
▪ Indian writer and journalist, Amitava Kumar ▪ The book, "U Ve Sa, The man who revived
has released a new book titled ‘The Blue Book: ancient Tamil literature", was translated
A Writer’s Journal' and it has been published from Tamil to English by Prabha Sridevan, a
by HarperCollins India. retired judge, and Pradeep Chakravarthy.
▪ The Blue Book is the outcome of the diary- U Ve Sa:
keeping by the author during the time of ▪ The man who revived ancient Tamil literature,
lockdown due to pandemics. a great teacher, a liberal, a meticulous
documentation expert, a pragmatic
“Role of Labour in India’s philosopher.
Development” Book: ▪ This is how speakers described
▪ Minister of Labour and Employment and Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer
MoEFCC, Bhupender Yadav has launched Swaminatha Iyer (U Ve Sa), popularly known
a book titled “Role of Labour in India’s as ‘Tamil Thatha’, at a book discussion session
Development”. organised by Chennai International Centre.
▪ V V Giri National Labour Institute has
published the book.
▪ The publishing of the book is part of the ‘Iconic
Week’ celebrations of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav’.

Autobiography of Vishwanath:
▪ Former Indian cricket captain Gundappa
Ranganatha Vishwanath has penned his
autobiography titled “Wrist Assured: An
Autobiography”, co-authored by senior
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journalist R Kaushik.

Climate Hazards e-bookLaunched:

▪ The India Meteorological Department (IMD)
launched an ebook, “Climate Hazards and
Vulnerability Atlas of India- State: Tamil
Nadu”, in Chennai as part of the World
Meteorological Day celebrations.
▪ The atlas is available at mausam.imd.gov.in
for public access.

Book by Journalist Richa Mishra

▪ A book titled “Unfilled Barrels India’s oil
story” authored by Richa Mishra.
26 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.8 INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

NTPC, CEB to jointly set up Solar Power ▪ Much of Sri Lanka’s external borrowings are

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Plant: though sovereign bonds in the international
▪ The National Thermal Power Corporation money market.
(NTPC) of India on March 11 signed a deal Peace in Border areas key to
with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to
Normal ties, India tells China:
jointly set up a solar power plant in Sampur,
▪ There can be no normality in India-China
in Trincomalee district, a decade after a similar
ties unless the troops amassed at the Line of
joint, coal power project was signed and
Actual Control (LAC) are withdrawn, External
subsequently scrapped.
Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Chinese
India extends $1 Billion credit to Sri Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Delhi on March
Lanka: 25 during talks that ended without any joint
▪ India extended a $1 billion credit facility to statement or agreement on the way forward.
Sri Lanka to assist the island nation through ▪ China’s Foreign Ministry said Mr. Wang put
its worst foreign exchange crisis and enable it forward a “three-point approach” in his talks
to procure food, medicines and other essential with Mr. Doval, saying both sides needed to
items. view ties with a “long term vision”, see each
▪ An agreement to this effect was signed between other’s development as an opportunity, and
the State Bank of India and the government of cooperate on Multilateral Issues.
Sri Lanka on March 17. ▪ On the second point, he proposed reviving the
▪ In 2022, so far India has extended $1.4 billion “China-India plus” initiative for joint projects
support to Sri Lanka, through a $400million in South Asia, an outcome of the Wuhan
RBI currency swap, deferral of a $0.5 billion meeting between Prime Minister Narendra
loan and another half a billion as a line of Modi and President Xi Jinping in 2018.
credit for the country to sustain its essential ▪ He highlighted that China did not seek
fuel imports. a “unipolar Asia” and “respects India’s
▪ Sri Lanka is facing its worst financial crisis, traditional role in the region”.
and had declared an emergency in August Sri Lanka President Gotabaya
last in the face of a crippling foreign exchange
Rajapaksa thanks India for ‘Invaluable
crunch.
Assistance’:
▪ The nation is still facing significant fuel and
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ India's External Affairs Minister Mr.

gas shortages, and high inflation in essential
Jaishankar, who is in Colombo for the
goods as well as food items.
BIMSTEC summit that Sri Lanka is hosting this
▪ The situation has triggered a series of protests year, held a series of bilateral meetings, ahead
by the political Opposition and citizens’ of his engagement at the regional forum.
groups, who blame the Rajapaksa government
▪ Along with PM Mahinda, he launched the
for the crisis.
India–built Jaffna Cultural Centre virtually.
▪ Sri Lanka is due to repay foreign debt totalling
▪ Built with an Indian grant of $11 million, the
nearly $7 billion this year, amid a persisting
building with 11 floors and facilities including
shortage of dollars to import food, medicines
a 600–capacity auditorium, conference hall,
and other essentials.
amphitheatre and a digital library was
▪ It has already sought China’s help to completed in early 2020 to serve as a public
restructure its loans that amount to 10% of its space for sharing art and culture in the war–
total foreign debt. affected area and was awaiting inauguration
for two years.
 HISTORY | 27

Indian Power Projects Replace

Chinese Ventures in Sri Lanka:
▪ India will set up hybrid power projects in

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three islands off Jaffna, effectively replacing
the Chinese venture cleared by Colombo last
year.
▪ India will also help develop fisheries harbour
in Point Pedro, Pesalai and Gurunagar in the
Northern Province, and Balapitiya, south of
Colombo, apart from supporting schools in
the southern Galle district with computer
labs, extending a grant for Sri Lanka’s Unique
Digital Identity project.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

28 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.10 APPOINTMENTS- WHO - IS WHO

Buch named SEBI’s First Woman Chief About:

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▪ Former banker Madhabi Puri Buch has been ▪ Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone is on one of the
appointed as the new chairperson of the feeder routes of the Char Dham pariyojana.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) It stretches from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi,
— the first ever woman to head the capital covering an area of 4179.59 sqkm.
markets regulator.
Centre appoints Panda as IRDAI Chief:
▪ She replaces Ajay Tyagi whose tenure as SEBI ▪ The Centre on March 11 appointed former
chairman ends on March 7. financial services secretary Debasish Panda
CPO of Southern Railway: as chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and
▪ K. Harikrishnan has been appointed as the Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for
Principal Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) of a period of three years from the Assumption
Southern Railway. of charge.

New President of the Financial Action Tata Sons chief to chair Air India also:
▪ N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons,
Task Force:
has been appointed chairman of Air India by
▪ T Raja Kumar, a Singaporean, has been named
the airline’s board.
president of the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF). ▪ The Tata Group had on October 8 last year
won the bid to acquire debt laden state-run
▪ FATF is the world’s anti-money laundering
Air India by offering ₹18,000 crore.
and anti-terrorism financing agency.
▪ Though it had announced that former Turkish
▪ His appointment is for a set two-year term,
Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci would be the
which begins on July 1.
CEO and MD of Air India, on March 1, Mr.
▪ Mr. Raja’s nomination marks the first time Ayci declined Tata Sons.
Singapore has assumed the president of the
organisation. Tirumurti gets Extension, Govt. seeks
‘Continuity’ amid Conflict:
SC asks Sikri to head Char Dham Panel:
▪ Amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the
▪ The Supreme Court on March 11 asked Government has decided to extend the tenure
its former judge, Justice A.K. Sikri, to of India’s envoy to the United Nations T.S.
head the high-powered committee which Tirumurti for Three Months.
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independently monitors the environmental

impact of the Char Dham road project in the ▪ According to an announcement by the
Himalayas that extends up to the India-China appointments committee of the Cabinet, Mr.
border. Tirumurti, who was due to retire on March 31,
will now remain in the position at the rank of
▪ These highways would be developed in Secretary to the government from April 1 to
accordance with the Double Lane with Paved June 30, 2022.
Shoulder system.
▪ Justice Sikri is already chairing the oversight Forest Force gets New Chief:
committee set up by the apex court in a ▪ The State Government has posted Syed
judgment last December. Muzammil Abbas as Principal Chief
▪ This panel is tasked with ensuring that Conservator of Forests, the head of the forest
the Government implements the remedial force.
measures recommended by the high-powered
committee for the environment concerns and
other issues related to the Char Dham project.
 HISTORY | 29

▪ Ashok Upreti, who held the post of Principal Adityanath Sworn in as U.P:
Chief Conservator of Forests, Chennai, has ▪ Yogi Adityanath took oath as Chief Minister
been posted as Chairman of Tamil Nadu of Uttar Pradesh, the first Chief Minister to do
Forest Plantation Corporation Ltd. so for a second successive term after having

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Yogesh Dwivedi, who held the post of Tamil completed a full five year term in the State.
Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Ltd Chief
has been transferred and posted as Chairman First Woman Vice-Chancellor of TNAU:
of Arasu Rubber Corporation Ltd. ▪ Professor V. Geethalakshmi has been
▪ Shekhar Kumar Niraj, the Chief Wildlife appointed Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu
Warden, has been transferred and posted as Agricultural University (TNAU) by Governor
Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Biodiversity R.N. Ravi.
Board. ▪ The Governor had appointed her for a term of
three years from the date of assuming office.
Woman Dubashi:
▪ For the first time, a woman named Rajalakshmi Member of Transgender Council:
has been appointed as the person (Dubashi) to ▪ N. Ramamurthy (60), the photographer
walk in front of the Speaker of the Legislature of the 'Dinamani' Villupuram edition, has
of Tamil Nadu. been appointed as a member of the National
▪ During the British period, Dubashi was also a Transgender Council.
translator and interpreter to the Speaker. ▪ The Council, headed by Union Minister
for Social Justice and Empowerment
Chief Minister of Manipur: Veerendra Kumar, has four members
▪ Senior BJP leader N Biren Singh took the oath from different parts of the country.
as Chief Minister of Manipur for a second
consecutive five-year term on March 21, 2022. ▪ Ramamurthy has been appointed as one of
▪ The ruling BJP party contested all 60 seats in them. The first meeting of this council is to be
the Manipur Assembly election in 2022 and held on April 2 in Delhi.
won 32 seats. About National Transgender Council:
▪ Nongthombam (N) Biren Singh started ▪ The Ministry of Social Justice and
his career as a footballer, then turned to Empowerment has constituted the National
journalism, before Joining Politics. Council for Transgender Persons, under the
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights)
Dhami takes oath as Uttarakhand CM: Act, 2019.
▪ Pushkar Singh Dhami on March 23 took oath
Aim:
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as the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, beginning

▪ To mainstream the transgender community’s
his second term, at a ceremony attended by
concerns, focusing on livelihood issues as
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several
well as to raise awareness about the trans
top BJP leaders in Dehradun.
community, so that transpersons are accepted
New MD & CEO for Maruti Suzuki India: within families and in the larger society.
▪ Maruti Suzuki India Limited's Board of ▪ To ensure that transgender welfare boards are
Directors has appointed Hisashi Takeuchi as set up in all States and essential needs of the
the Managing Director and Chief Executive transgender community, like housing, food,
Officer with effect from April 1. healthcare and education are met.
▪ The new appointment comes upon the Functions:
completion of the term of Kenichi Ayukawa ▪ Advising the Central government on the
on March 31. formulation of policies, programmes,
legislation and projects with respect to
transgender persons.
30 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Monitoring and evaluating the impact of

policies and programmes.
▪ Reviewing and coordinating the activities of

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all the departments.
▪ Redressing grievances of transgender persons.
Performing such other functions as prescribed
by the Centre.
Composition:
▪ Its chairperson will be the Union Minister of the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
▪ It will also consists of:
9 Representatives from five states or Union
Territories (one each from the north, south,
east, west and northeast regions), on a
rotational basis.
9 Five members of the trangender community
(one each from the north, south, east, west
and northeast regions).
▪ The tenure of the community members shall
be three years.
▪ Representatives from 10 central departments.

J. Kumar, New V-C of MKU:

▪ J. Kumar, a professor of Anna University,
Guindy, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor
of Madurai Kamaraj University.
▪ He will have a three-year tenure from the date
of his assuming office.
▪ Governor-Chancellor R.N. Ravi handed over
the appointment order to him on March 29.

Sanjay Ghosh given Additional charge

as CBFC:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Sanjay Ghosh, Deputy Director, DPD, Chennai

have been given additional charge as Regional
Officer, Central Board of Film Certification
(CBFC), Chennai.
▪ He will hold this charge additionally along
with the post he is already holding as Deputy
Director, DPD.
 2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
2.1 LATEST COURT VERDICTS
SC clears 50% seats for in-­service ▪ A Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
Candidates: held, “We find no constitutional infirmity
▪ The Judgment had empowered State in the OROP principle as defined in the
Legislatures to provide reservation for government’s communication of November
in-service candidates in admissions to 7, 2015, on the implementation of the pension
postgraduate degree/diploma medical Scheme”.
courses. ▪ The Koshiyari Committee's
▪ Justice Gavai, who authored the verdict, recommendations of 10th December
applied the logic used by the Constitution 2011 for OROP was endorsed.
Bench to extend to the State legislature ▪ The OROP scheme stipulated that benefits
the power to provide quota for in­ -service would be effective for pensioners from the cut-
candidates. off date of July 1, 2014.
▪ “Tamil Nadu would be at liberty to continue ▪ Pensions of past pensioners would be re-
the counselling for 2021­ -22, taking into fixed on the basis of pensions of retirees in the
consideration the reservation provided as calendar year 2013.
per the Government Order [of November 7, ▪ The scheme mandated the re-fixation of
2020],” the court said. pension every five years.
▪ The court went on to direct the Union
Supreme Court upholds One Rank, One
Government to conduct the “re-fixation
Pension Scheme for Armed Forces: exercise” from July 1, 2019 — the date on
▪ The Supreme Court on March 16 upheld the which the first five-year period from July 1,
Centre’s One Rank, One Pension (OROP) 2014, expired.
scheme for the armed forces.
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32 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

2.2 GOVT.WELFARE ORIENTED GOVT. SCHEMES THEIR UTILITY

Labour Ministry launches ‘Donate a Minimum Assured Pension:

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Pension’ Scheme: ▪ Each subscriber shall receive a minimum
▪ The Union Labour and Employment Ministry assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after
on March 7 launched the “Donate a Pension” attaining the age of 60 years.
scheme allowing any citizen to pay the Family Pension:
premium amount on behalf of an unorganised ▪ During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber
worker under the Pradhan Mantri Shram dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be
Yogi MaanDhan Scheme. entitled to receive 50% of the pension received
▪ The pension scheme, which was launched by the beneficiary as family pension. Family
in 2019, allows unorganised sector workers pension is applicable only to spouses.
between the age of 18 and 40, who earn up ▪ If a beneficiary has given regular contribution
to ₹15,000 a month, to enroll by paying a and died due to any cause (before age of 60
premium amount between ₹55 and ₹200, years), his/her spouse will be entitled to
depending on the age, that would be matched join and continue the scheme subsequently
by the government. by payment of regular contribution or exit
▪ On reaching the age of 60, the beneficiaries the scheme as per provisions of exit and
would get a ₹3000 monthly pension. As withdrawal.
of March 3, the scheme had 46.34 lakh Contribution:
enrollments. ▪ The subscriber’s contributions shall be made
▪ The donor can pay the contribution for a through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her
minimum of one year, with the amount savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account.
ranging from ₹660 to ₹2400 a year, depending ▪ PM-SYM functions on a 50:50 basis where
on the age of the beneficiary. prescribed age-specific contribution shall be
▪ The premium amount can be paid through made by the beneficiary and the matching
maandhan. in or by visiting a Common Service contribution by the Central Government.
Centre anywhere in the country. Plan to bring 4 Lakh Girls Back to
About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi School:
MaanDhan Scheme (PM - SYM): ▪ The Centre is launching a back-to-school
▪ PM- SYM which was recently announced in campaign to bring at least four lakh young
the Interim Budget-2019 implemented from girls who are out of school into the formal
February 15, 2019 by the Ministry of Labour
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

education system.
and Employment.
▪ Under the new Saksham Anganwadi scheme
▪ PM-SYM is a Central Sector Scheme of the Women and Child Development
administered by the Ministry of Labour and Ministry, these girls in the 11-14 age group
Employment and implemented through will no longer receive anganwadi support, as
Life Insurance Corporation of India and the focus shifts to 14 to 18 year olds.
Community Service Centers (CSCs).
▪ The campaign to enrol them in schools will be
LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and
driven by anganwadi workers in collaboration
responsible for Pension pay out.
with district education officers, supported
▪ This scheme seeks to benefit around 42 crore by tracking systems used by the WCD and
workers from the unorganized sector of the Education Ministries.
country.
▪ A UNICEF survey of 50,000 Indian adolescents
during the COVID19 pandemic, also released
at the same event, reported that while 90% of
respondents were currently enrolled in school,
 POLITICAL SCIENCE | 33

a third of them knew of at least one girl who ▪ He said the scheme is now available in 35
had dropped out. states and union territories covering 77 crore
▪ The dropouts were either engaged in domestic beneficiaries.

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work or had got married, said UNICEF India ▪ Through this facility, while a migrant
representative Yasumasa Kimura. beneficiary is able to get ration at the
▪ In 2018-19, there were 11.88 lakh girls aged destination he or she is working in, his or her
11-14 years who were part of the Scheme for family back home is also allowed to get their
Adolescent Girls (SAG) in anganwadis, but part of the entitled ration to support itself.
this had dropped to 5.03 lakh by 2021. ▪ The scheme is being implemented without any
▪ With the new Saksham Anganwadis set to discrimination and seven crore people have so
pivot their focus to 14 to 18 year olds from far taken the benefits of portability, he said.
this year, it becomes imperative to ensure that
Sujalam 2.0 Campaign:
the four lakh remaining 11 to 14 year olds are
absorbed by the school system. ▪ On 23rd March 2022, the Sujalam 2.0 campaign
was launched by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,
About Anganwadi: the Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
▪ Anganwadis or a type of rural child care centre
▪ This campaign has been launched for
were started by the Indian government in 1975
Greywater Management.
as part of the Integrated Child Development
Services program to combat child hunger and ▪ The launch event was held virtually by
malnutrition. the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of
Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS).
▪ These are focal point for implementation of
all the health, nutrition and early learning ▪ ‘Groundwater: making the Invisible Visible’
initiatives under ICDS. is the theme for this campaign.
DD India is now on OTT Platform: ▪ The Sujlam 2.0 campaign was launched with
▪ India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has the objective of managing greywater through
signed a memorandum of understanding with the participation of the people.
Yupp TV, an over-the-top (OTT) platform, in ▪ Under this campaign, there are plans to
order to expand the reach of DD India channel, mobilize communities such as schools,
which puts forth the country’s perspective on panchayats, and Anganwadis to help in
various international developments on Global greywater management.
Platforms.
Housing scheme set to be
77 crore people covered under 'One completed soon, says Puri:
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Nation One Ration Card' Scheme: ▪ Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on March
▪ As many as 77 crore people in the country 28 told the Rajya Sabha that the Pradhan
have been covered under the 'One Nation Mantri Awas Yojana (housing scheme) for
One Ration Card' scheme through which urban areas would be completed within a
beneficiaries can take their share of food short foreseeable future and if there was more
grains from anywhere in the country, demand from the States then even the private
Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public sector was also coming up with affordable
Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal said. housing.
▪ Goyal said that the technology driven ▪ Mr. Puri said that so far more than one crore
initiative was conceptualised by Prime houses had been constructed under the scheme
Minister Narendra Modi, taking into account and by the time final update for this financial
the problems being faced by migrant workers year was received this number would stand at
in getting government benefits. 1.15 crores.
34 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ With that, the entire objective of the Pradhan

Mantri Awas Yojana Urban would be
completed.

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About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban
(PMAY-U):
▪ It is a flagship Mission of Government of India
being implemented by Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), was launched
on 25th June 2015.
▪ The Mission addresses urban housing shortage
among the EWS/LIG and MIG categories
including the slum dwellers by ensuring a
pucca house to all eligible urban households
by the year 2022, when Nation completes 75
years of its Independence.
▪ All houses under PMAY(U) have basic
amenities like toilet, water supply, electricity
and kitchen.
▪ The Mission promotes women empowerment
by providing the ownership of houses in name
of female member or in joint name.
▪ Preference is also given to differently abled
persons, senior citizens, SCs, STs, OBCs,
Minority, single women, transgender and other
weaker & vulnerable sections of the society.
A PMAY(U) house ensures dignified living
along with sense of security and pride of
ownership to the beneficiaries.
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 POLITICAL SCIENCE | 35

2.3. PUBLIC AWARENESS & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Urdu can be Second Language: Cabinet nod for Centre for Traditional

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▪ The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet meeting chaired Medicine:
by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on ▪ The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister
March 7 gave its nod for making a legislative Narendra Modi, approved the establishment
amendment to enable students to select Urdu of the WHO (World Health Organization)
as a second language alongside Telugu. Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO
GCTM) at Jamnagar in Gujarat.
Cabinet approves Amendment in
▪ An agreement was signed by the Government
MMDR Act to fix Royalty Rates of certain
of India with the world body in this regard.
Minerals:
▪ The WHO GCTM, to be established under
▪ The Union Cabinet on March 9 approved a
the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga,
proposal to amend the Second Schedule to
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and
the MMDR Act to specify the royalty rates of
Homoeopathy), will be the first global centre
certain minerals, including potash, emerald
for Traditional Medicine.
and platinum group of metals.
▪ The approval would ensure auction of mineral
blocks in respect of glauconite, potash,
emerald, platinum group of metals, andalusite,
and molybdenum thereby reducing imports of
these minerals.

Cabinet nod for New Firm to Monetize

Land Assets:
▪ The Union Cabinet approved the setting up
of a new Government owned firm for pooling
and monetising sovereign and public sector
land assets.
▪ The National Land Monetisation Corporation
(NLMC) is being formed with an initial
Authorised share capital of ₹5000 crore and
paid-up capital of ₹150 crore.
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▪ The Government will appoint a chairman

to head the NLMC through a “merit-based
selection process” and hire private sector
professionals with expertise.
▪ The NLMC will undertake monetisation of
surplus land and building assets of Central
public sector enterprises (CPSEs) as well as
Government Agencies.
▪ The proposal is in pursuance of the Budget
announcements for 2021-22, which included
an ambitious National Monetisation Pipeline
to garner revenues from public assets.
 3. GEOGRAPHY
3.1 ENVIRONMENT ECOLOGY
IPCC warns of Multiple Climate (WBA).
Hazards: ▪ The Spotted Royal lives close to its host plant,
▪ The world faces unavoidable multiple climate which are the native Loranthus species.
hazards over the next two decades with global ▪ The WynterBlyth Association has been
warming of 1.5°C, and even temporarily recording butterflies since2015.
exceeding this warming level would mean
additional, severe impacts, some of which will Great Barrier Reef suffers Severe Coral
be irreversible, according to a report by the Bleaching:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ▪ Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering
(IPCC). widespread and severe coral bleaching due
to high ocean temperatures two years after a
Indonesia’s Merapi volcano Unleashes mass bleaching event, a government agency
lava: said.
▪ Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano spewed ▪ In July last year, Australia garnered enough
avalanches of hot clouds in eruptions international support to defer an attempt
overnight on March 10. by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural
▪ Mount Merapi is the most active of more than organisation, to downgrade the reef ’s World
120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Heritage status to “in danger“ because of
▪ The 2,968m peak Mount Merapi is near damage caused by climate change.
Yogyakarta, an ancient city and a center of
Islands Brace for Cyclone, Ship Services
Javanese culture.
suspended:
Acetabularia Jalakanyakae: ▪ People living in coastal areas of Andaman and
▪ It is the new marine algae species discovered Nicobar Islands were evacuated to safety as
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

in India. the archipelago experienced heavy rain and

▪ It was discovered by Indian scientists from the strong winds due to Cyclone Asani.
Central University of Punjab in the Andaman ▪ The system is expected to move towards the
archipelago. Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts.
▪ The scientists sighted the species in 2019
Gahirmatha’s Beach Witnesses an
during their trip to Andaman.
Arribada:
Rare Butterfly Recorded in the ▪ About 2.45 lakh Olive Ridley Sea turtles
Nilgiris after over a century crawled ashore on the Nasi-II beach of the
▪ A rare butterfly species — the Spotted Royal Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary along the
(Tajuria maculata), which has not been Odisha coast for laying eggs, marking one of
recorded in the Nilgiris for over a century the largest opening day arrivals of turtles at
— was rediscovered again in the district by the site.
members of the Wynter Blyth Association
 GEOGRAPHY | 37

▪ Gahirmatha is the world’s largest rookery for

the endangered Olive Ridley Sea turtles.

Fewer Olive Ridleys reach Godavari

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

site:
▪ Once known as a safe nesting ground on
India’s east coast, a nearly 30km coastline in
the Godavari estuary has recorded a sharp
fall in the arrival of Olive Ridley turtles
(Lepidochelys olivacea) during the breeding
season as large numbers of the endangered
animals are trapped by high-speed fishing
boats.
▪ The entire rookery, including the Coringa
Wildlife Sanctuary, is part of the rare and
ecologically sensitive Godavari mangrove
System.

Rhino population up by 200 in

Kaziranga:
▪ The population of the greater one-horned or
Indian rhinoceros in the Kaziranga National
Park and Tiger Reserve has increased by 200
in four years, the latest census of the World
Heritage Site’s flagship Animal has revealed.
▪ The last rhino census conducted in 2018 had
put the Number at 2,413.
▪ A similar census was conducted in two more
of Assam’s rhino habitats earlier in March.
▪ The Orang National Park recorded an increase
of 24 rhinos over the figure of 101 in 2018.
▪ The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary recorded five
more rhinos than in 2018. Of the 107 rhinos, 50
were females, 30 males and 27 Calves.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle
 4. ECONOMICS

4.1 CURRENT TRENDS IN INDIAN ECONOMY

GDP to grow at 8.9% in 2021-22 Three-fold jump in Foreign Investment
instead of 9.2% in Real Estate:
▪ India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is ▪ Foreign capital flows into the Indian real estate
estimated to grow at 8.9% in 2021-22 instead jumped more than threefold to nearly $24
of the 9.2% estimated earlier, with year-on- billion in five years to 2021 as compared to the
year growth during October-December 2021 previous five years, said Colliers-Ficci report
slipping to 5.4% from 8.5% in the previous suggesting greater transparency has boosted
quarter, as per the second advance national overseas investors' confidence in Indian real
income estimates. estate.
▪ Gross Value-added (GVA) in the economy ▪ Foreign investors, who had previously
is expected to grow by 8.3% this financial refrained from investing in the Indian real
year, from a 4.8% contraction in 2020-21, the estate market due to the lack of transparency,
National Statistical Office (NSO) said. started investing in the country with greater
optimism from 2017.
Core Sector Growth at 3%
▪ The share of foreign investments in Indian real
▪ India’s output from all eight core infrastructure estate has grown to 82 per cent during 2017-
sectors surpassed pre-pandemic production 2021, compared to 37 per cent in the preceding
levels this January, even as the pace of growth five-year period, data produced by the study
slowed marginally to 3.7% from a 4.1% uptick showed.
in December 2021.
▪ During 2017-21, the Office sector was at the
ISMA Revises Upwards Sugar Output forefront of foreign investments with a 43
Estimate: per cent share in total overseas investments
coming into that.
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▪ Sugar production this sugar season (October

2021­September 2022) is estimated at 333 lakh ▪ But foreign investors remained cautious about
tonnes against 312 lakh tonnes in the previous the residential sector after the NBFC crisis.
season. ▪ The Investments in the Industrial and Logistics
▪ The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) sector surpassed the residential sector.
said between October 2021 and February
Industrial output grows 1.3% in
2022, as many as 516 mills crushed sugarcane,
producing 252.87 lakh tonnes of sugar against January:
503 mills producing 234.83 lakh tonnes during ▪ India’s industrial output grew 1.3% in January
the same period last season. 2022, recovering marginally from a revised
growth rate of 0.7% for December 2021, but
▪ Production is higher than previous estimates
was still only 0.7% above the pre-pandemic
in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
levels, as per data from the National Statistical
Office.
 ECONOMICS | 39

▪ Manufacturing output rose 1.1%, while measure wholesale and retail-level price
mining production grew 2.8% and electricity changes, respectively.
Generation went up by 0.9% year-on-year.
Consumer Price Index:

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▪ Production of consumer durables slumped for
the fifth month in a row in January, contracting ▪ It measures price changes from the perspective
3.3% compared with a 0.1% shrinkage a year of a retail buyer.
ago. Four types of CPI are as follows:
9 CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).
India's Merchandise Exports likely to be 9 CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).
at USD 111.3 bn in Q4 FY22: 9 CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).
▪ The country's merchandise exports are likely
9 CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined).
to be at USD 111.3 billion in the fourth quarter
of the current fiscal, according to a forecast by ▪ Of these, the first three are compiled by the
India Exim Bank. Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour
and Employment. Fourth is compiled by the
▪ Non-oil exports are expected to be at USD 95.2
National Statistical Office (NSO) in the Ministry
billion in Q4 FY22, with total merchandise
of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
outbound shipment exceeding USD 414 billion
for FY 2022. ▪ Base Year for CPI is 2012.
About Exim Bank: ▪ The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) uses
▪ On June 18, 1980, the then Finance Minister, CPI data to inflation.
Shri R. Venkataraman, in the budget speech, Moody’s cuts India’s 2022 Growth to
announced the decision to establish an Exim
9.1% :
Bank.
▪ Moody’s Investors Service cut India’s Growth
▪ The Export-Import Bank of India Act was forecast for 2022 to 9.1% from the earlier
passed in September 1981 and the Bank estimated 9.5%, cautioning that high global
commenced its operations in March 1982. fuel and commodity prices on Account of
▪ Headquarters: Mumbai. the Russia-Ukraine war could weigh on the
Government’s capital spending ability.
Retail Inflation Climbs to 6.07%
▪ India’s retail inflation inched up to an eight- Fitch cuts India growth forecast for
month high of 6.07% in February from 6.01% 2022-23 to 8.5% from 10.3%:
in January, with rural India experiencing a ▪ Fitch Ratings downgraded its 2022-23 growth
sharper price rise at 6.38%. forecast for India from 10.3% to 8.5%, citing
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ For urban consumers, the inflation rate, in sharply higher energy prices which it believes
fact, fell from 5.91% in January to 5.75% in will spur inflation beyond 7% as oil companies
February. eventually pass on price hikes to retail
▪ The RBI has projected an average retail consumers. The rating firm also scaled up its
inflation of 4.5% for the coming year. inflation forecast for India.
About Inflation: ▪ “Local fuel prices have been flat over the past
▪ Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer weeks, but we assume that oil companies will
Price Index (CPI). eventually pass on higher oil prices to retail
▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most fuel prices (with some offset from a reduction
goods and services of daily or common use, in the excise duty by the government),” it
such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, noted.
transport, consumer staples, etc. ▪ "We expect inflation to remain elevated
▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by throughout the forecast horizon, at 6.1%
two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price annual average in 2021 and 5% in 2022,” the
Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) which agency said.
40 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Exports cross $400bn Annual Target as

Goods Shipments Jump:
▪ India’s annual goods exports crossed the $400

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billion mark for the first time ever, buoyed
by an increase in shipments of merchandise,
including engineering products, apparel and
garments, gems and jewellery and petroleum
products.
▪ Noting that the agriculture sector too had
recorded its highest ever export during 2021-
22 with the help of export of “rice, marine
products, wheat, spices and sugar”, Mr.
Goyal termed the development a “Made in
India blockbuster” and a “collective show of
strength”.
▪ Marking the “first time ever” development,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated
the manufacturers, farmers and weavers for
achieving this target.

India's FDI inflow 65% more under PM

Modi Regime:
▪ Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on
March 29 said that Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) into the country was $500.5 billion
(65 per cent more) during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's regime as opposed to the
amount received in 10 years of the previous
UPA Government.
▪ The minister also said that India continues
to stay among the top five FDI recipient
countries in the world, according to an
United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) report.
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About FDI:
▪ FDI is the process whereby residents of one
country (the home country) acquire ownership
of assets for the purpose of controlling the
production, distribution and other activities of
a firm in another country (the host country).
Routes through which India gets FDI:
▪ Automatic Route: In this, the foreign entity
does not require the prior approval of the
Government or the RBI.
▪ Government Route: In this, the foreign entity
has to take the approval of the Government.
 ECONOMICS | 41

4.2 PUBLIC FINANCE: BUDGETING

LIC’s Mega Share Sale gets Sebi Govt., working on Classification of

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Approval: Cryptocurrency under GST Law:
▪ India’s markets regulator has cleared the share ▪ The Centre is considering on classification
sale proposal of state-run Life Insurance Corp. of cryptocurrency under the GST law so that
of India, or LIC (which was filed on February tax can be levied on the entire value of the
13), paving the way for the Government to transaction.
launch India’s largest initial public offering. ▪ At present, 18% Goods and Services Tax
▪ The Government was expected to sell 5 per (GST) is levied only on services provided
cent stake in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) by crypto exchanges and is categorized as
this month, which could fetch over Rs 63,000 financial services.
crore to the exchequer. ▪ GST officers told that cryptocurrencies are
▪ The Approval was granted within 22 days of similar to casinos, gambling, betting, which
filing Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP). have 28% of the GST on the entire value.
About SEBI: ▪ The GST has not clearly made a classification
▪ The Securities and Exchange Board of India of cryptocurrency.
(SEBI) is the regulatory body for securities ▪ In the absence of a law regulating such virtual
and commodity market in India under the digital currencies, the classification has to take
ownership of Ministry of Finance , Government into account whether the law classifies it as an
of India. actionable claim.
▪ It was established on 12 April 1988 and given ▪ The provisions related to 1% TDS will come
Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through into effect from July 1, 2022, while the gains
the SEBI Act, 1992. will be taxed effective April 1.

4.3 PUBLIC FINANCE: TAX STRUCTURE

States Requested extension of the About GST:
GST Compensation: Finance Minister ▪ The tax came into effect from 1 July 2017 through
Nirmala Sitharaman: the implementation of the One Hundred and
First Amendment of the Constitution of India
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▪ Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law,

by the Indian government.
states were guaranteed to be compensated bi-
monthly for any loss of revenue in the first ▪ Goods and services are divided into five
five years of GST implementation from July 1, different tax slabs for collection of tax: 0%, 5%,
2017. 12%, 18% and 28%.
▪ The shortfall is calculated assuming a 14 per ▪ The tax rates, rules and regulations are
cent annual growth in GST collections by governed by the GST Council which consists
states over the base year of 2015-16. The 5-year of the finance ministers of the central
period ends in June 2022. Government and all the states.
▪ The compensation amount to be paid from the
compensation fund is arrived at by levying
cess on top of the highest tax slab on luxury,
demerit and sin goods.
42 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

4.4 MONEY & BANKING

RBI opens up UPI for Feature Phones, ▪ Christened UPI123Pay, the new payments

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No Internet Needed: system for feature phone users involves four
▪ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March 8 different technologies.
launched unified payments interface (UPI) for ▪ The First One is through use of Interactive
feature phones, bringing about 400 million Voice Response (IVR) numbers. One can dial
users of such phones under the ambit of a number and initiate a secured call from
India’s homegrown payments network. feature phone, and after getting registered can
▪ India has a mobile phone consumer base start financial transactions without internet
of about 118 crore, of which about 74 crore connectivity.
have smartphones, indicating that there is a ▪ The Second Module is through apps on
significant number of feature phone users in feature phones. Majority of UPI functions
the country. will be available on apps that are available
▪ UPI was available on feature phones on feature phones and one can do almost all
since 2016, when UPI was launched for kinds of UPI transactions except scan and pay,
smartphones, albeit through a complicated which is still a work in progress.
USSD or Unstructured Supplementary Service ▪ The Third Method of feature phone UPI
Data mode. Under this, a feature phone user involves proximity sound-based payments.
had to dial *99#, get a set of menus and initiate This technology uses sound waves to enable
transactions. But the process was cumbersome, networking and therefore helps carry out
involving multiple chargeable messages. contactless offline and proximity data
▪ This is one reason that the products introduced communication on any device.
on March 8 will fill in this gap and take UPI to ▪ The Last Method is a quintessential Indian
the next level. way -- missed call approach -- where users
receive a callback from a standard number to
authenticate and carry out transactions.

4.5 INDICES
Export Preparedness Index by NITI ▪ The Export Preparedness Index for 2021
is based on States’ ratings on four major
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Aayog:
▪ Gujarat has been named India’s top State in parameters pertaining to exports promotion
terms of export preparedness for the second and facilitation, including policy support,
year in a row as per an index released by the business and export ecosystem and the actual
NITI Aayog. performance in outbound shipments.
▪ Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu were
ranked second, third and fourth in the index,
as coastal States with higher industrial activity
and access to sea ports account for a majority
of India’s exports.
 5. SCIENCE

5.1 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INVENTIONS

Locally made Trainer Aircraft Finishes ▪ Due to this missile’s size, it is being speculated
Sea Trials: that the Hwasong-17 can carry multiple decoys
▪ A first-of-its kind indigenous aircraft trainer, and warheads so as to efficiently penetrate a
HANSANG, developed by the CSIR National Country’s Missile Defense System.
Aerospace Laboratories (CSIRNAL), has
completed sea-level trials in Puducherry, a
necessary condition before evaluation by the
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
▪ HANSA New Generation (HANSANG) is
reportedly one of the most advanced flying
trainers, powered by a Rotax digital control
engine with features such as a composite
lightweight airframe, a glass cockpit, a bubble
canopy with a wide panoramic view, and
electrically operated flaps.
▪ It is an ideal aircraft for commercial pilot
licensing due to its low cost and low fuel
consumption.
▪ For the sea trials, the aircraft was flown from
Bengaluru to Puducherry covering 140 nautical
miles in an hour and a half at a cruising speed
of 155 kmph on February 19.
▪ The two-seater HansaNG, a revamped
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version of the original Hansa developed three

decades ago, had a successful maiden flight on
September 4 when it took off from the HAL
airport in Bengaluru and flew for about 20
minutes.

Monster Missile Hwasong-17:

▪ North Korea has test-fired an intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM) named Hwasong-17.
▪ This missile is the biggest ICBM ever
developed.
▪ This missile can potentially deliver a nuclear
warhead to any United States location.
44 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

5.2 LATEST DISCOVERIES IN HEALTH SCIENCE

WHO’s Chief Scientist Expresses concern Indigenous COVID drug completes

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

over Malnutrition, Growing Anemia Clinical Trials:
Levels ▪ The First Indigenous drug to treat COVID19
▪ Putting money into nutrition or health was is likely to be made available to the public
not a cost for Governments but an investment, soon with the completion of clinical trials,
an Investment in building human capital that which showed “excellent results”, informed
would pay off many, many more times in the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)
future, World Health Organization’s chief director Rakesh Mishra.
scientist Soumya Swaminathan said. ▪ The product ‘Vincov19’ is a collaborative
▪ The recent Global Hunger Index 2020 ranked effort of CSIR-Centre for Cellular & Molecular
India 94th out of 107 countries, way behind Biology (CCMB), University of Hyderabad
some of the other developing countries. new (UoH) and city based VINS Bioproducts.
data from National Family Health Survey
Man, who received pig’s heart dies
(NFHS) suggest that while less children are
dying — a lot of progress has been made in after 2 months:
reducing maternal mortality and under-5 ▪ The first-person David Bennett to receive
mortality — but those who survive are a heart transplant from a pig has died, two
becoming malnourished and anemic. months after the groundbreaking experiment,
▪ “NFHS-5 showed worsening of nutritional the Maryland hospital that performed the
indicators especially in children under5 and surgery.
increase in both stunting and wasting in about ▪ Mr. Bennett survived significantly longer than
half of the States. one of the last milestones — when Baby Fae,
a dying infant, lived 21 days with a baboon’s
heart in 1984.

5.3 SPACE
The Artemis Programme, NASA’s New ▪ Artemis is also the goddess of the moon.
Moon Mission: ▪ Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ On March 17, the National Aeronautics and Exploration Systems.

Space Administration (NASA) rolled out its ▪ It is an uncrewed space mission where the
Artemis I moon mission to the launchpad for spacecraft will launch on SLS — the most
testing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, powerful rocket in the world — and travel
United States. 2,80,000 miles from the earth for over four to
▪ The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and six weeks during the course of the mission.
Orion capsule of the mission were hurled The Orion spacecraft is going to remain in
out to the launchpad by NASA’s Crawler- space without docking to a space station,
Transporter 2 vehicle. longer than any ship for astronauts has ever
done before.
What is the Artemis Mission?
▪ NASA’s Artemis mission is touted as the next ▪ With the Artemis programme, NASA aims to
generation of lunar exploration, and is named land humans on the moon by 2024, and it also
after the twin sister of Apollo from Greek plans to land the first woman and first person
mythology. of colour on the Moon.
 SCIENCE | 45

GSLV mission may have failed due to a

Valve Leak:
▪ The GSLVF10/ EOS03 mission, which lifted

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

off from Sriharikota on August 12 2021, failed
due to ‘deviation in the performance’ of the
cryogenic upper stage (CUS) of the launch
vehicle, a national level Failure Analysis
Committee (FAC) has found.
▪ Although the Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) had a normal lift off
after a 26hour countdown, the mission had to
be aborted much to the dismay of the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

India to launch 7 Satellites this Year:

▪ The Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) is likely to launch seven satellites this
year, said the Deputy Minister at Indian Prime
Minister's Office Jitendra Singh.
▪ He said ISRO has successfully launched the
earth observation satellite EOS-4 onboard
PSLV-C52 on Feb. 14 from the Satish Dhawan
Space Center along with INS-2TD and
INSPIRESat-1 as co-passengers.
▪ "EOS-4 is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
imaging satellite for earth observation,
operating in C-band at 5.4 GHz frequency,
for applications in the domains of agriculture,
disaster management, water resources and
Forestry."
Vetrii IAS Study Circle
 6. NATIONAL –
DIARY OF EVENT
Adopt Gati Shakti, Modi Tells States, Meet on challenges in implementation
Private Sector: of Jal Jeevan Mission to be held:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged State ▪ A day-long conference will be held at the
governments as well as private sector to adopt Vidhana Soudha at Bengaluru on March 5
the Gati Shakti portal to plan infrastructure for discussing specific issues and challenges
projects and develop special economic zones. in the states/union territories, regarding the
▪ In October last year, the government implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and
announced PM Gati Shakti programme the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen with
under which a portal would be set up to bring ministers from six states and two UTs.
16 Ministries together for integrated planning ▪ Prime Minister accords highest priority to
and implementation of infrastructure women empowerment and healthcare as
connectivity projects. he has launched two flagship programmes
▪ The portal is expected to be ready by March which focus on water and sanitation thereby
end. ensuring 'ease of living' especially for women
and young girls.
A Transformational Budget for ▪ 'Har Ghar Jal' is a flagship programme of the
Transitional Energy Economy: government, being implemented by the Jal
▪ India today is the world's fourth largest Jeevan Mission (JJM) under the Ministry of
renewable energy (RE) country and fifth Jal Shakti. The JJM aims to provide tap water
largest in terms of installed Solar Capacity. connection to every rural household in the
▪ In early February, solar installations crossed country by 2024.
the 50 GW milestone, making India only the ▪ Telangana and Puducherry achieved 100 per
fifth country to achieve this. cent coverage in 2021. Madhya Pradesh plans
▪ In August 2021, India achieved 100 GW of to provide tap water connection to all rural
installed RE capacity and in December 2021 households by 2023 followed by Andhra
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

it became only the fourth country to have Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
150GW of RE (including large hydro). in 2024.
▪ Today, India is home to one of the world's ▪ The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen
largest energy transition programme. (SBM(G)) is another flagship programme being
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
announced that India is expanding its RE ▪ All the Gram Panchayats declared themselves
target to 500 GW by 2030. Open Defecation Free on October 2, 2019.
▪ With only nine years to go to meet the Operation Ganga:
ambitious target, the budget 2022 has given
▪ As part of the government’s ‘Operation
the much-needed impetus to place Indian RE
Ganga’, 14 civilian flights mounted by Indian
sector at an advantage.
airlines brought back 3,142 people and three
C­17 flights by the Indian Air Force brought
back 630 Indians from Romania, Hungary,
Slovakia and Poland.
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 47

Indigenous Train Collision Protection ▪ “If successful, this will be expanded to all
System: geothermal fields for space heating and
▪ On March 4 in Secunderabad, 'Kavach' was conversion into electrical energy without any
carbon footprint,” he said.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

tested successfully with two trains hurtled
towards each other at full speed, one with the ▪ The Minister pointed out that the spring-water
railway minister on board and the other with rejuvenation and river-water regeneration can
the Chairman of the Railway Board. contribute to the human settlement and agro-
▪ But the two trains didn't collide, thanks to economy of the country and exploitation of
'Kavach'. 'Kavach', which literally means available and abundant mineral resources in a
armour, is being promoted by the Railways as scientific manner is another domain of socio-
the world's cheapest automatic train collision economic development.
protection system. ▪ “We can think of innovation for converting
▪ The indigenously developed Automatic Train hazardous residues into usable products also,”
Protection (ATP) system has been built to he said.
help the Railways achieve the goal of "zero EC to Conduct Outreach Event on March
accidents".
7:
▪ Kavach is designed to bring a train to a halt
▪ The Election Commission will organise an
automatically when it notices another train on
international election visitors programme
the same line within a prescribed distance.
(IEVP) for foreign poll management bodies in
▪ Trains will also stop on their own when digital virtual mode on March 7, when Uttar Pradesh
system notices any manual error like "jumping" votes for the last phase of Assembly election.
of the red signal or any other malfunction.
▪ The programme constitutes an important part
Himalayan geo-resources yet to be of the EC’s international outreach and seeks
Fully Explored: to familiarise fellow Election Management
Bodies (EMBs) with the electoral system
▪ Speaking after inaugurating the Research
adopted by India.
Scholars’ and Transit Hostel at the Wadia
Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) in ▪ IEVP 2022 also provides an opportunity to the
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Union Earth Sciences EC to share best practices and experience of
Minister Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that the the conduct of the poll process along with the
Himalayan geo-resources are huge, and can steps taken to ensure compliance of COVID19
contribute to the socio-economic development protocols, an EC statement said.
of the region and the Country in many ways. ▪ More than 135 delegates from over 26
countries and four international organisations,
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ He emphasised that the main Himalayan

resources are its glaciers and snowfields which including International IDEA, International
feed billions of people through irrigation and Foundation of Electoral Systems, Association
drinking water, industry, and hydropower of World Election Bodies and Community of
generation, as well as tourism and religious Democracies, will participate in the event.
pilgrimage. Common people benefitted from 'Jan
▪ He noted that the WIHG has mapped 40 Aushadhi Kendras':
geothermal springs each in Uttarakhand
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while
and Himachal Pradesh Himalayas, and has
addressing an event on the occasion of 'Jan
been trying to generate five MW of electricity
Aushadhi Diwas' on March 7, said the poor
at initial stage by a binary power plant at
and the middle class have benefitted from
Tapovan.
the 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras', set up to provide
generic drugs at affordable prices.
48 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Prime Minister said Rs 13,000 crore were Buddha in the annual pageant of the famed
saved after the said stores were opened. Buddhist Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in
"Over 8,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been Kandy every August for 11 consecutive Years.
opened.

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Festival of Letters 2022:
▪ PM said his government has regulated the
price of more than 800 medicines required ▪ Sahityotsav, the Festival of Letters of Sahitya
for the treatment of diseases like cancer, Akademi, India’s most inclusive literature
tuberculosis, diabetes and heart ailment. festival will be held from 10th to 15th March
2022 in New Delhi.
▪ The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched ▪ Festival of Letters 2022 will be a part of the
by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to celebrations to commemorate 75th Anniversary
provide quality medicines at affordable prices of India’s Independence.
to the masses in 2008 under the name Jan ▪ The events will have one or the other theme
Aushadi Campaign. pertaining to Independence or Independence
▪ PMBJP stores have been set up to provide movement. At the festival, there will be a
generic drugs, which are available at cheaper special corner to display the books related
prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy to the India's freedom movement and other
as expensive branded drugs. materials relevant to the Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav.
▪ 'Jan Aushadhi Week' is being celebrated
across the country from March 1 to March 7 to ▪ The prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards will
generate awareness about the usage of generic be presented to the 24 Award winners on 11th
medicines and benefits of the Jan Aushadhi March 2022.
Pariyojana. About Sahitya Akademi:
▪ As an important step in ensuring the healthy ▪ The Sahitya Akademi, India's National
security for Indian women, Jan Aushadhi Academy of Letters, is an organisation
Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins dedicated to the promotion of literature in
were launched on 27th August 2019 to be the languages of India headquarterd in New
made available at Re.1 per pad. Delhi.
▪ In September 2015, the „Jan Aushadhi Scheme ▪ Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported
was revamped as „Pradhan Mantri Jan by, though independent of, the Indian
Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY). Government (Ministry of Culture).
▪ In November, 2016, to give further impetus to ▪ It initially functioned under executive order,
the scheme, it was again renamed as “Pradhan but was subsequently registered as a society
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” under the Indian Societies Registration Act,
(PMBJP). 1860.

Indian Elephant,the Largest in Asia Walmart and IIT-M to collaborate in

died: research, education, CSR:
▪ Sri Lanka is mourning the death of a 69-year- ▪ Walmart Global Tech (WGT) has entered into
old celebrated Indian elephant, considered to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
be the largest in Asia, after it died on March 7, the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructing (IIT-M), to accelerate research in new areas of
that the body of the tusker be preserved for technology.
future generations and naming it as a national ▪ IIT-M will also provide associates of the
treasure. global firm with continuing education and
▪ The tusker named Nadungamuwe Raja, who collaborate on projects for Corporate Social
was born in India’s Mysore, has been carrying Responsibility (CSR).
the main casket carrying the tooth relic of Lord
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 49

▪ The MoU was signed on March 9 in Chennai India’s First fully owned by Women
in the presence of Suresh Kumar, Global Industrial Park:
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief ▪ India‘s first fully owned by women industrial
Development Officer (CDO), Walmart Inc.,

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

park opened its doors in Hyderbad.
Prof Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean—Alumni
▪ The park, that is promoted by the FICCI
and Corporate Relations, IIT-M, and the US
Ladies Organization – FLO in collaboration
Consul General in Chennai, Judith Ravin.
with the State government, consists of 25
▪ Walmart Tech Global would also provide a units which represent 16 different sectors of
training program to the students of IIT Madras. green category, and all of them are owned and
▪ The training program would help students to controlled completely by women.
gain advanced Knowledge of technology in ▪ This park was built on 50 acres of land in
the retail and e-commerce sector. Sultanpur, which is near Patancheru.
India Global Forum Annual Summit: ▪ India good at managing finances but oil price
▪ India Global Forum’s (IGF) annual summit is hike worrying: IMF
being organized in Bengaluru, Karnataka. ▪ India has been very good at managing its
▪ The summit will bring together eminent faces finances but the surge in global energy prices
of tech-driven disruption and those who have after Russia’s military operations in Ukraine
joined the unicorn club along with Union is going to have a negative impact on its
ministers, policymakers,and global business economy as India is an importer, according to
leaders. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
▪ The previous editions were hosted in Dubai ▪ Gita Gopinath, the first deputy managing
and the UK. director of the IMF, observed that the war
has posed a challenge to global economies,
▪ This is the first-ever edition of IGF at
including India.
Bengaluru.
Supreme Court Committee to Submit
India’s largest reclining statue of Lord
Report on Prison Reforms in 6 Months:
Buddha:
▪ The Supreme Court granted six month's time
▪ India's largest reclining statue of Lord Buddha
to the Committee on Prison Reforms headed
is being built in Bodh Gaya.
by the former Supreme Court Judge, Justice
▪ Built by Buddha International Welfare Amitava Roy to submit its final report.
Mission, the statue will be 100 feet long and
▪ The Committee was constituted by the Apex
30 feet high.
Court vide order dated 25.09.2018 to examine
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Lord Buddha is in the sleeping posture in the the issues plaguing prisons that needed
statue. reform.
▪ The construction of the giant statue started in ▪ Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted
the year 2019. that the Court had earlier directed the
▪ It is being made with fibreglass and built by Committee to complete the collection of data
sculptors from Kolkata. and make suggestions over the issue within a
▪ The idol of this posture of Lord Buddha is in period of 12 months, however, almost 3 years
Uttar Pradesh`s Kushinagar where he attained have passed and the same was not done due
his Mahaparinirvana. to the prevailing situation since last few Years.
▪ The giant statue of Lord Buddha will be open
for devotees from February 2023.
50 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

The Central Board of Trustees of ▪ The decision to move out of Ukraine came after
the Employees’ Provident Fund the Russian attacks on the western Ukrainian
Organisation (EPFO): town of Lviv near the Polish border, where the
embassy had set up a camp office for the past

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Central Board of Trustees of the
few weeks to facilitate the movement of Indian
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
(EPFO), the country’s largest retirement fund, students fleeing the Country.
has recommended a return of 8.10 per cent for First Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal of
its over 6 crore active subscribers for financial Indian Railways commissioned:
year 2021-22. This is the lowest interest rate in
▪ The Asansol Division of Indian Railways has
at least four decades but remains higher than
successfully commissioned private siding
that of other small-savings instruments.
of Maithan Power Limited at Thaparnagar,
About EPFO: Jharkhand, in accordance with the Prime
▪ The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation Minister’s vision Gati Shakti and the Ministry
(EPFO) is the statutory body under the of Railways’ policy regarding the Gati Shakti
Government of India's Ministry of Labour and Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal or also known as
Employment. GCT, informed the Ministry of Railways.
▪ On 1 October 2014 the Government of India
launched a Universal Account Number 100 Days Countdown in run–up to 8th
for employees covered by EPFO to enable International Day of Yoga 2022 begins:
Provident Fund number portability. ▪ Union Minister of Ayush Sarbanand Sonowal
▪ The EPFO's top decision-making body is the inaugurated Yoga Mahotsav 2022, an event
Central Board of Trustees (CBT),a statutory to commemorate 100 days countdown in the
body established by the Employees' Provident run–up to the 8th International Day of Yoga
Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF&MP) (IDY) 2022 on March 13.
Act, 1952. ▪ The International Day of Yoga 2022 campaign
▪ Founded: 4 March 1952. will focus on the theme 100 days, 100 cities and
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi. 100 organisations till June 21 across the globe.
▪ For the first time to celebrate Azadi ka Amrut
Skoch State of Governance Ranking Mahotsav, it will demonstrate Yoga at 75
2021: Heritage Heritage/Iconic cultural sites on
▪ Andhra Pradesh has retained its number June 21.
one spot in the SKOCH State of Governance ▪ The Ministry will propagate the benefits of
rankings for the second consecutive year. using WHO mYoga App, Namastey App,
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The second rank was bagged by West Bengal Y-break App.

and Odisha was ranked 3, Gujarat was
ranked 4 and Maharashtra was ranked 5 and Co-operatives to play a Major Role in
Telangana was ranked 6. Rs 350 Lakh Crore Target:
▪ Union Home and Cooperatives Minister Amit
India Relocates Embassy in Ukraine to Shah has said that the co-operative sector will
Poland play a major role in achieving Prime Minister
▪ With the Russian forces stepping up their Narendra Modi’s economic target of Rs 350
attack on Ukrainian cities and closing in on trillion ($ 5 trillion).
capital Kyiv, the government has decided ▪ Only 5 will benefit if private milk companies
to temporarily relocate the Indian Embassy, grow stronger. If the co-operative sector
moving all officials across the border to becomes strong, many people in the country,
Poland. including farmers and livestock breeders, will
benefit.
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 51

▪ If the Sumul Sangam gains strength, the 2.5 ▪ The report on Demands for Grants (2022-23)
lakh members (milk producers) belonging to of the MHA by the parliamentary standing
this Sangam will also benefit. It will strengthen committee headed by Congress leader Anand
the country’s policy of self-determination. Sharma said the Ministry had demanded

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Sumul Sangam last produced 200 liters of ₹3637.92 crore for border infrastructure in the
milk per day in 1971. It is currently producing coming fiscal even though it was able to spend
20 lakh liters per day. The aim of this only 50% of the allocated budget till December
association is to increase this to 25 lakh liters. 2021.

Direct flight connecting Indore- Identification of 9.45 Lakh Water

Hyderabad route Flagged off on March Reservoirs in the Country:
13: ▪ According to the First Reservoir Census,
▪ The ministry of civil aviation has awarded 18,691 of the 9.45 million identified reservoirs
the route to Fly Big under the UDAN RCS-4.0 in 22 states and UTs have been violated
bidding process. said Minister of State for Water Resources
Bishweshwar Todo.
▪ With this, 409 routes would be operationalised
under the UDAN-RCS scheme. ▪ The highest number of encroachments is
8,366 from Tamil Nadu, followed by Andhra
▪ Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
Pradesh with 3,920 and Telangana with 3,032.
said the UDAN scheme is fulfilling the Prime
Minister's dream of providing air services to ▪ This is the sixth census that is being carried
the common man. out since 2017-2018. He said in a written reply
that for the first time under the first census of
▪ The Indore-Gondia-Hyderabad route will
aquifers, information on encroachments on
connect Indore with the two states Maharashtra
aquifers was being collected.
and Telangana.
▪ Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Scheme
▪ Scindia said 100 new airports will be built in
(PMKSY) – Irrigation, repair, renovation and
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which will give a boost
rehabilitation of water reservoirs under the
to the last-mile connectivity.
scheme for each field has a target of 1.89 lakh
▪ He said the Centre is going to bring a small hectares, of which 1.32 lakh hectares had been
aircraft scheme, which will strengthen rehabilitated by January.
connectivity in tier 2 and 3 cities.
About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee
▪ With this, Gondia will become their 14th Yojana:
UDAN destination and Fly Big is the first ▪ PMKSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
airline to connect Gondia with a scheduled (Core Scheme) launched in 2015.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

commercial flight to other metro cities.

▪ Centre- States will be 75:25 per cent.
▪ This is also the first flight route for Gondia
▪ In the case of the north-eastern region and
as prior to this it was not connected with any
hilly states, it will be 90:10.
airports in India.
No Decision yet on Country-wide NRC:
Government Sanctioned 32 New Roads
▪ The Minister said on the direction of the
along China Border:
Supreme Court, the supplementary list of
▪ Post-Galwan incident, the Government of inclusions and the list of exclusions for the
India sanctioned 32 roads along the China NRC in Assam have been published on August
border, of which work has started on eight 31, 2019.
roads.
▪ “Till now, the government has not taken any
▪ The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed decision to prepare the National Register of
a parliamentary panel that 32 helipads were Indian Citizens at the national level,” Union
being constructed and upgraded along the Minister Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha.
China border.
52 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

About NRC: growing from 6.9 crore to more than 10 crore.

▪ Nodal Agency: Registrar General and Census ▪ The growth of farmers’ debt burden is highest
Commissioner India. in Maharashtra, a whopping 116% increase in

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

What is National Register of Citizens (NRC)? the outstanding amounts due over the six year
▪ National Register of Citizens, 1951 is a register period. In absolute terms as well, Maharashtra
prepared after the conduct of the Census farmers owe the highest amount of ₹5.5 lakh
of 1951 in respect of each village, showing crore by way of Agricultural Loans.
the houses or holdings in a serial order and ▪ Incidentally, the State also consistently has the
indicating against each house or holding the largest number of farmer suicides, as recorded
number and names of persons staying therein. by the National Crime Records Bureau.
▪ The NRC was published only once in 1951. ▪ Other States which saw significant increase in
farmers’ debt burden include Odisha (76%),
Reservation Policy in India:
Tamil Nadu (68%), Andhra Pradesh (65%) and
▪ Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated Gujarat (64%).
16th November, 1992 in the Indra Sawhney
case of 1990, has decided that reservation under Chair of excellence in memory of Bipin
Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution Rawat:
should not exceed 50%. ▪ On the eve of the 65th birthday of late Chief
▪ The total reservation given to SC, ST and OBC of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat,
under these Articles does not exceed 50%. the Indian Army has instituted a Chair of
▪ The reservation given to the Economically Excellence in his memory at the United Service
Weaker Sections (EWS) has been provided by Institution of India (USI).
the Government under provisions of Articles ▪ The formal announcement was made by
15(6) and 16(6), which were inserted vide the Gen. Manoj Naravane, Chief of Army Staff
Constitution 103rd Amendment Act 2019. and Officiating Chairman, Chiefs of Staff
▪ Thus the 10% reservation given to EWS, does Committee.
not violate the 50% limit on reservations given
under Articles 15(4) and 16(4). Cabinet clears bill to allow use of
Latest tech to Collect more details of
▪ The 10% reservation give to EWS under the
provisions of Articles 15(6) and 16(6) are Criminals, Convicts:
distinct from the reservation given to SC, ST & ▪ The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared
OBC under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) and these a bill on March 16 to allow the use of latest
are legally protected. technology to maintain records of convicts
and those arrested for crimes.
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▪ This information was given by the Minister

of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, ▪ The proposed ‘Identification of Prisoners Bill’
Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in a written reply in seeks to replace the Identification of Prisoners
the Lok Sabha on March 15. Act, 1920, which would be repealed.
▪ They pointed out that the present British-era
Farmers’ debt rose 53% in 6 years, law allows limited “body measurements” of
Centre tells Rajya Sabha: convicts and those arrested for crimes which
▪ Farmers’ debts increased 53% over the past carry the provision of rigorous punishment for
six years, the Union Finance Ministry told the a term of one year or more.
Rajya Sabha on March 15. ▪ The draft bill, allows collection of various
▪ In 2020-21, outstanding agricultural loans for details of convicts and those arrested for
scheduled commercial banks amounted to various crimes, including finger and palm
more than ₹18.4 lakh crore, in comparison to prints, foot prints, photo, iris or retina scan
₹12 lakh crore in 2015-16, with the number and hand writing samples.
of farmers’ accounts holding such debts also
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 53

▪ Availability of greater details will help in ▪ The manuscripts were saved from being burnt
increasing conviction rate as it would give in the 12th and 13th centuries by Bakhtiyar
investigators more tools to nail criminals. Khilji’s Army and later brought back to India
from Tibet by traveller, freedom fighter and

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Mann sworn in as 17th Punjab CM: monk Rahul Sankrityayan.
▪ Breaking established traditions, Aam Aadmi ▪ Bihar, Art and Culture Minister Alok Ranjan
Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Singh Mann informed the Assembly that the process has
was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of been started by the Central Institute of Higher
Punjab on March 16 by Governor Banwarilal Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) at Sarnath.
Purohit at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village
of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, instead of the ST Panel in Stasis, Says Report:
Raj Bhavan. ▪ The National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes has been dysfunctional for the past four
House Panel flag’s Issues plaguing
years and has not delivered a single report to
MGNREGS: Parliament, a parliamentary committee has
▪ Fake job cards, widespread corruption, said in a recent report.
late uploading of muster rolls, and huge
▪ The pending reports include a study by the
pending payments for wages and materials
commission of the impact of the Indira Sagar
are among the issues hampering the
Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh on
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National
the tribal population and a special report on
Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme,
rehabilitation and resettlement of tribespeople
apart from insufficient funding, according to
displaced by the Rourkela steel plant.
a Parliamentary Standing Committee report
submitted to the Lok Sabha. About National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes (NCST):
India’s Defence Requirement has ▪ NCST was set up with effect from 19th
Increased: February, 2004 by amending Article 338
▪ With the changing Economic, Political and and by inserting a new article 338A in the
Strategic Equations increasingly placing world Constitution through the 89th Constitution
powers in a tussle, India’s defence requirement Amendment Act, 2003.
has increased and constant modernisation of ▪ NCST oversee the implementation of various
the country’s armed forces is need of the hour, safeguards provided to STs under the
said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Constitution or under any other law for time
▪ Inaugurating a seven-storeyed Flight being in force or under any other order to the
Control System (FCS) integration facility at Government and to evaluate the working of
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Aeronautical Development Establishment such safeguards.

(ADE), a laboratory of Defence Research Composition:
and Development Organisation (DRDO) ▪ It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson
in Bengaluru, the Minister said, “Keeping and 3 other Members who are appointed by
ourselves ready is our top priority and we are the President by warrant under his hand and
constantly working to enhance our strategic seal.
capabilities. Be it technology or products, ▪ At least one member should be a woman.
services or facilities, their advanced and faster ▪ The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and
development is critical.” the other Members hold office for a term of 3
‘Original manuscripts from years.
Nalanda to be Translated’: ▪ The members are not eligible for appointment
▪ Steps are being taken to translate and publish for more than two terms.
hundreds of original Buddhist manuscripts
from Nalanda and Vikramshila.
54 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Chairperson has been given the rank of India hopes to put down roots in Arctic:
Union Cabinet Ministers, the Vice Chairperson ▪ India aspires to have a permanent presence
has the rank of a Minister of State and other with more research and satellite ground
Members have the rank of a Secretary to the stations in the Arctic region, suggests a

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Government of India. perusal of its Arctic Policy document officially
▪ Current Chairperson: Shri Harsh Chouhan. unveiled last week.
▪ India now has a single station, Himadri,
India, Japan set target for $42 bn
in NyAlesund, Svalbard, a Norwegian
Investment: archipelago, where research personnel are
▪ India and Japan set an investment target of usually present for 180 days.
“five trillion yen” ($42 billion) in the next five
▪ India is in the process of procuring an
years, the leaders announced after a meeting
icebreaker research vessel that can navigate
in New Delhi for the 14th annual summit.
the region.
▪ The two sides also exchanged six agreements
▪ Eight nations — Canada, Denmark, Finland,
on cybersecurity, economic partnerships,
Norway, Iceland, Russia, Sweden and the
wastewater management, urban development,
United States — make up the Arctic Council.
a clean energy partnership and an agreement
on promoting bamboo-based products from ▪ India has had a research base in the region
the northeast region. since 2008 and also has two observatories.

Covishield second dose eight weeks Toll Plazas Within 60 Km of Each Other
after First: on Highways to be Closed in 3 Months:
▪ The National Technical Advisory Group on ▪ Union Minister of Road Transport and
Immunization (NTAGI) has recommended Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that the
that the second dose of Covishield can be government will provide passes to locals
administered from eight to 16 weeks after the having Aadhaar cards who reside near toll
first dose. plazas.
▪ Currently, the second dose is being given 12 to ▪ Additionally, he also said that there will be
16 weeks after the First. only one toll plaza within 60 km and if there’s
a 2nd toll plaza, then it will be shut in the next
Diesel price for bulk users raised by 3 months.
nearly ₹25 a litre:
MSP for raw Jute Increased to Rs 4750
▪ The price of diesel sold to bulk users has been
per Quintal:
hiked by about ₹25 a litre in line with a near
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

40% rise in international oil prices, but retail ▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs,
rates at petrol pumps remain unchanged. chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
approved a proposal to increase Minimum
▪ Price of diesel sold to bulk users has been
Support Price (MSP) for raw jute to Rs 4750
hiked to ₹122.05 a litre in Mumbai from ₹94.14
per quintal for 2022-23 season, which is Rs 250
a litre sold at petrol pumps.
per quintal higher over the previous year.
▪ In Delhi, diesel costs ₹86.67 a litre at the petrol
▪ This would ensure a return of 60.53 per
pump, but for bulk or industrial users, it is
cent over all India weighted average cost of
priced at about ₹115.
production.
▪ PSU oil companies have not raised retail prices
▪ The announced MSP of raw jute for 2022-23
of petrol and diesel since November 4, 2021
season is in line with the principle of fixing
despite a surge in global oil and fuel prices.
the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all
India weighted average cost of production as
announced by the Government in the Budget
2018-19.
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 55

▪ The approval is based on recommendations ▪ The MCD was trifurcated in 2012 when the
of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Congress government of Sheila Dikshit
Prices. controlled Delhi. It was done to decentralise
Governance.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The new MSP price would assure a minimum
of 50 per cent as a margin of profit.
Union Cabinet approves release of
▪ The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will
those in Jail for Petty Crimes:
continue as Central Government Nodal
▪ The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared
Agency to undertake Price Support
a proposal to release certain category of
Operations and the losses incurred, if any, in
prisoners incarcerated in jails as part of the
such operations, will be fully reimbursed by
‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative of the
the Central Government.
Central Government.
Govt extends applicability of New ▪ Sources aware of the decision said identified
Investment Policy-2012 for HURL's 3 prisoners will be released on this Independence
Fertiliser Plants: Day, the next Republic Day and August 15
▪ The Government approved the extension next year.
of applicability of the 'New Investment ▪ Those convicted of heinous crimes and facing
Policy-2012' for three upcoming units of death sentence will not come in the ambit of
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) the programme, the sources said.
at Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni. ▪ ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is an initiative
▪ The government had announced the New of the Central Government to celebrate and
Investment Policy (NIP) - 2012 in January, commemorate 75 years of Independence.
2013 and its amendment in October, 2014 to ▪ The programme commenced on March 21,
facilitate fresh investment in the urea sector 2021 which started a 75-week countdown to
and to make India self-sufficient. country’s 75th Anniversary of independence
▪ HURL, incorporated in June, 2016, is a joint and will end on August 15, 2023.
venture of Coal India Ltd, NTPC and Indian
Export Policy of Hydrofluorocarbons
Oil Corporation.
revised to Restricted’ Category:
▪ It is reviving the erstwhile Gorakhpur and
Sindri Units of FCIL and Barauni Unit of ▪ Hydrofluorocarbons hydrofluorocarbon
GFCL by setting up new gas based urea plants exports have been banned.
with an installed capacity of 12.7 lakh tonnes ▪ This step has been taken to increase its
per annum each. availability in the domestic market.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The cost of the three HURL urea projects is Rs ▪ This chemical is used for refrigeration
25,120 crore. (Refrigeration) and air-conditioning (Air-
▪ GAIL is supplying natural gas to these three Conditioning) occurs in the region.
units. ▪ Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
said, the export policy for hydrofluorocarbons
Cabinet Approves Merger of Delhi’s has been revised from free to curb category
Three Civic Bodies: with immediate effect.
▪ The Union Cabinet gave its to The Delhi ▪ No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of
Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, Environment, Forest and Climate Change for
2022, which aims to merge the Capital’s three its export (NOC) will need to be taken.
municipal corporations — South, North and
East — ten years after the trifurcation of the
civic body.
56 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Justice, Development now Reaching greywater management, soak pits, and

J&K: treatment of faecal sludge — has not been
▪ Parliament approved a ₹1.42 lakh crore able to meet targets, with the pandemic also
slowing down progress.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and
Kashmir for 2022-23. 9 New Judges Appointed to 5 High
▪ Ms. Sitharaman, in her speech, asserted that Courts:
after the dilution of Article 370, the people of
▪ The Law Ministry has notified the appointment
J&K have been benefited by implementation
of nine judges to five High Courts (HCs).
of 890 Central laws.
▪ A statement issued by the Department of
▪ “You see justice reaching, democracy
Justice in the Law Ministry said six of the new
reaching, economic development reaching”
judges were advocates while the remaining
the residents of the Union Territory of Jammu
three were judicial officers.
and Kashmir” said Sitharaman.
▪ Two advocates, Nidumolo Mala and
6 States Favour Castes S. Sounthar, have been appointed additional
Re-categorisation: judges of the Madras High Court.
▪ Only six of the 20 States that have responded ▪ The Prseident appoints the judges in exercise
to the recommendation of re-categorisation of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article
of sub-castes have favoured this sub- 224 of the Indian Constitution.
categorisation, the government informed the
Study to Setup National Data Centre in
Rajya Sabha on March 23.
the South:
▪ Minister of State for Social Justice and
Empowerment A. Narayanaswamy said these ▪ Union Home Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar
six States are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, has told the Lok Sabha that the Center is
Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana examining the policy for setting up a national
and Punjab. data center based on consultations with
various IT companies.
Few villages Received Waste ▪ Data centers are an integral part of the overall
Disposal Infrastructure: 'Digital India' infrastructure. Currently there
▪ Only 12% of the villages that were supposed to is an increase in services based on global
get infrastructure for liquid waste management network servers called public cloud, cloud.
this year have achieved their goal under the ▪ Thus the demand for data centers has also
second phase of the Swacch Bharat Mission, increased. Based on this, the National Data
according to the parliamentary standing Center Policy is under study.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

committee report on water resources. ▪ We need to make India the premier destination
▪ The implementation of solid waste for global network and data centers.
management infrastructure also lagged ▪ Steps are being taken to make India a global
behind, with only 22% of target villages hub for green data center and cloud services.
covered during 2021-22 until February 7.
▪ There will be a National Data Center Policy
▪ In its first phase, the Swacch Bharat Mission to promote solutions for secure and reliable
aimed to provide a toilet in every rural infrastructure, especially in information
household and claimed to have achieved its technology.
goal in 2019.
▪ A public consultation and consultation
▪ However, the second phase, which involves program on National Data Center Policy was
more complex communityl evel infrastructure held on 25th February in Chennai.
— including facilities for collection and
▪ It was attended by more than 65 corporations
segregation of solid waste, compost pits
and central and state government officials.
and biogas plants for biodegradable waste,
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 57

▪ More than 295 people also participated via Report 2022 released.
video and submitted suggestions. ▪ On World Tuberculosis Day on March
▪ The Minister said that the policy of the 24, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

National Data Center is being examined on the reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
basis of the suggestions received. making India tuberculosis–free by 2025 and
said this will be achieved by ensuring access
India Imposes Import ban on 107 to quality healthcare and advanced treatment.
Equipment in push for self-reliance in
Defence: Competition Commission of India:
▪ The defence ministry announced a fresh list ▪ Competition Commission of India (CCI) is
of 107 sub-systems and components that will a statutory body of the Government of India
not be allowed to import under a staggered responsible for enforcing the Competition Act,
timeline of six years beginning December with 2002, it was duly constituted in March 2009.
a primary aim to promote indigenisation. ▪ The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade
▪ The list comprises components required in Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed
the production of helicopters, submarines, and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002, on
warships, tanks, missiles, radars and the recommendations of Raghavan committee.
Communication systems many of which are ▪ The Competition Act was passed in 2002
currently procured from Russia. and has been amended by the Competition
▪ In December last year, the defence ministry (Amendment) Act, 2007.
released a list of 2851 sub-systems and ▪ It follows the philosophy of
components which will come under import modern competition laws.
embargo under a specific timeline. ▪ The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements,
▪ The list released by the Defence Ministry abuse of dominant position by enterprises and
comprised 22 items that will be taken up for regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring
indigenisation by the state-run aerospace of control and M&A), which causes or likely
major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to cause an appreciable adverse effect on
while Bharat Electronics Ltd will indigenise competition within India.
21 sub-systems. ▪ In accordance with the provisions of
▪ The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders will take the Amendment Act, the Competition
up indigenisation of six components and Commission of India and the Competition
subsystems used for construction of ships and Appellate Tribunal have been established.
submarines, Bharat Dynamics Ltd has been ▪ Government replaced Competition Appellate
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

entrusted with indigenisation of four items for Tribunal (COMPAT) with the National
Astra missiles, while BEML Ltd got 12. Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
▪ Other defence public sector undertakings in 2017.
(DPSU) being involved in the process are Composition of CCI:
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, ▪ The Commission consists of one Chairperson
Goa Shipyard Ltd, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, and six Members as per the Competition
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd and Munitions Act who shall be appointed by the Central
India Limited (MIL). Government.
India to be TB-free by 2025: ▪ The commission is a quasi-judicial body which
gives opinions to statutory authorities and also
▪ A 19% increase was witnessed in 2021 from
deals with other cases. The Chairperson and
the previous year in TB patients’ notifications.
other Members shall be whole-time Members.
▪ The number of incident TB patients (new and
relapse) notified during 2021 was 19,33,381
against the 16,28,161 in 2020, noted India TB
58 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

India, WHO sign pact to set up Global ▪ Union Minister of Coal, Mines and
Centre for Traditional Medicine: Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi on March
▪ India, World Health Organisation (WHO) 26 inaugurated the resumption of the mining
operations at the Tikok opencast project

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

has signed a host country agreement for
establishing a global centre for traditional (OCP) of the North Eastern Coalfields (NEC),
medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. a unit of Coal India Limited.
▪ Conveying India’s happiness, Prime Minister ▪ The national park is part of the 937 sq. km
Narendra Modi said, “India is honoured to Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes
be home to a state-of-the-art @WHO Global the Britishera collieries and oil refinery town
Centre for Traditional Medicine. This Centre Digboi.
will contribute towards making a healthier India to Start Building 10 Nuclear
planet and leveraging our rich traditional
Power Plants:
practices for global good."
▪ With the first pour of concrete for a 700 MW
▪ The Ministry of Ayush on March 25 signed
atomic power plant in Karnataka’s Kaiga
the pact. The onsite launch of the new WHO
scheduled in 2023, India is set to put in motion
global centre will take place on April 21, 2022.
construction activities for 10 ’fleet mode’
▪ The global knowledge centre for traditional nuclear reactors over the next three years.
medicine has been supported by an
▪ The first pour of concrete (FPC) signals the
investment of USD 250 million from the
beginning of construction of nuclear power
Indian government with the aim to harness
reactors from the pre-project stage which
the potential of traditional medicine from
includes excavation activities at the project
across the world through modern science and
site.
technology to improve the health of people
and the planet. ▪ The FPC of Kaiga units 5&6 is expected in
2023; FPC of Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut
Tribes oppose Narmada link Praiyonjan units 3 & 4 and Mahi Banswara
Project proposed by the Centre: Rajasthan Atomic Power Projects units 1 to 4 is
▪ More than 5,000 tribal people in Gujarat expected in 2024; and that of Chutka Madhya
gathered in Gandhinagar to oppose the Pradesh Atomic Power Project units 1 & 2 in
proposed Par-Tapi-Narmada River link 2025, officials of the Department of Atomic
project, which the local communities fear Energy (DAE) told the Parliamentary panel on
will displace residents of the region in south science and technology.
Gujarat. ▪ The Centre had approved construction of 10
indigenously developed pressurised heavy
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ According to the National Water Development

Agency, 6,065 hectares will be submerged by water reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW each in
the seven reservoirs proposed to be built in June 2017.
Maharashtra and Gujarat. ▪ The ten PHWRs will be built at a cost of Rs 1.05
lakh crore.
Coal mining Operations Resume in ▪ It was for the first time that the government
Assam Reserve: had approved Building 10 nuclear power
▪ Coal mining operations have resumed in a part reactors in one go with an aim to reduce costs
of eastern Assam’s Dehing Patkai Elephant and speed up construction time.
Reserve almost two years after they were
suspended following reports of illegal mining Congress Demands Imposition of Article
in forestlands and protests over its ecological 355 in West Bengal:
impact. ▪ West Bengal Congress president renewed his
calls to invoke Article 355 in the state given the
violence that broke out in the Birbhum district.
 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 59

About Article 355: ▪ Mr. Modi said that during the last one year
▪ It deals with Duty of the Union to protect through the government’s GeM portal, the
States against external aggression and internal Government had purchased items worth more
disturbance. than ₹1 lakh crore.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ It shall be the duty of the Union to protect ▪ “There was a time when only big companies
every State against external aggression could sell goods to the government. Now even
and internal disturbance and to ensure that the smallest of shopkeepers can sell one’s goods
the Government of every State is carried on to the government on the GeM Portal — this is
in accordance with the provisions of this the New India, in which all of us together will
Constitution. fulfill the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, a
self-reliant India,” he said.
Modi pitches for ‘Local for Global’:
▪ After his ‘vocal for local’ pitch, Prime Minister ‘India, UAE Trade pact likely from May
Narendra Modi, in his 87th edition of the Mann 1’:
ki Baat radio broadcast on March 27, made ▪ The free trade agreement between India and
a call for ‘local for global’ while lauding the the UAE is likely to come into effect from May
quantum jump in exports of Indian products. 1 this year, under which domestic exporters
▪ Praising India for achieving the export target of as many as 6,090 goods from sectors such
of $400 billion, Mr. Modi said that at first as textiles, agriculture, dry fruits, gem and
instance, it might come across as a matter jewellery would get duty-free access to
related to the economy, but more than that, the UAE market, Commerce and Industry
it was related to the capability of India, the Minister Piyush Goyal said.
potential of India. ▪ The Comprehensive Economic Partnership
▪ The supply chain of India is getting stronger Agreement (CEPA) was signed by India and
by the day. The nation takes great strides the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February
when resolutions are bigger than dreams. which aims to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion
▪ Today new products from all corners of the in the next five years from current $60 billion.
country were reaching foreign shores, let they
be leather goods from Hailakandi in Assam ▪ The two countries have agreed to set up
or handloom products from Osmanabad, or a technical council on Investment, Trade
fruits and vegetables from Bijapur. Promotion and Facilitation, as part of the
▪ He attributed the success of “Make in India” agreement signed.
drive to farmers, artisans, weavers, engineers,
Thakur launches skilling project at
small entrepreneurs and MSME sector, among
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

others, and pitched for making the local

Dubai Expo:
‘global’ and augment the prestige of Indian ▪ Union Minister for Information and
products further. Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on March 27
launched the “Training for Emirates Jobs And
▪ The Prime Minister also spoke about the need
Skills (Tejas)” project at the Dubai Expo.
for yoga and cleanliness and urged children
to take up water conservation issues on a war ▪ The project is expected to create a 10,000 strong
footing. Indian workforce in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) during its initial phase.
▪ He urged the entrepreneurs in Ayush
related startups to propagate their products ▪ It is aimed at skilling, certification and overseas
in languages for audiences in non-English employment of Indians.
speaking foreign countries. ▪ Tejas is aimed at creating pathways to enable
Indian workforce to get equipped for skill and
market requirements in UAE.
60 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Muslim Woman makes History in ▪ The Charter and the BIMSTEC Master Plan for
Odisha: Transport Connectivity is expected to boost
▪ The recently concluded civic body polls was trade among the members.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

a turning point for the minority community DA Hiked by 3% for Central Govt. Staff:
in Odisha’s poll history with voters directly
▪ The Union Cabinet on March 30 approved the
electing a woman from the Muslim
release of an additional instalment of dearness
community as chairperson of a urban local
allowance (DA) to Central government
body for the first time.
employees and dearness relief (DR) to
▪ Gulmaki Dalawzi Habib, 31, an independent pensioners, effectively giving an increase
candidate, won the election to the post of of 3% over the existing rate of 31% of basic
chairperson of the Bhadrak Municipality. pay or pension with effect from January 1, to
Paddy Procurement in India: compensate for price rise.
▪ 741.62 In lakh tonnes, the paddy procured by Centre Approves Procurement of 15
the Union government in the ongoing 2021-22 Indigenous light Combat Choppers:
marketing year at the minimum support price
▪ The Centre approved the procurement of 15
(MSP).
indigenous light combat helicopters from the
▪ As of March 27, out of the total procurement Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian
undertaken so far, a maximum of 187.28 Air Force.
lakh tonne of paddy has been procured
▪ The light combat helicopter Limited Series
from Punjab, followed by 92.01 lakh tonne
Production is an indigenously designed,
from Chhattisgarh, 70.22 lakh tonne from
developed and manufactured modern combat
Telangana, 55.30 lakh tonne from Haryana
helicopter.
and 66.53 lakh tonne from Uttar Pradesh.
▪ The production cost incurred is ₹3,887 crore
LokSabha nod to include Two Tribes on along with infrastructure sanctions to the tune
Tripura ST list: of ₹377 crore.
▪ The Lok Sabha on March 28 passed a Bill to ▪ The manufacturing of the LCH by the HAL
include the Darlong community as a subtribe will give a further push to Atmanirbhar Bharat
of the Kuki tribe on the list of Scheduled initiative and boost indigenization of defence
Tribes of Tripura even as Opposition members production and the defence industry in the
called for a more comprehensive law on Country.
including communities on the Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe lists rather than in
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

a Piecemeal Allocation.

India seeks closer BIMSTEC Partnership:

▪ Addressing the ministerial of the BIMSTEC
(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation), he
urged closer cooperation and connectivity
among the Members.
▪ The BIMSTEC summit scheduled for March
30 has drawn global attention because of
participation from Myanmar which was
isolated internationally following the military
takeover in February 2021.
 7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Mobile World Congress 2022: Ukraine war could cut 1% off
▪ The Global System for Mobile Communications Global Growth: OECD
Association has organized the 2022 Mobile ▪ The Ukraine crisis could knock more than a
World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. percentage point off global growth this year
▪ The Global Mobile Economy Report expects and add two and a half percentage points to
5G connections globally to reach 1 billion in inflation, the OECD estimated.
2022 by 5G adoption. ▪ Well-targeted increases in government
▪ An increase in the 5G network connection spending by OECD countries of the order of
will increase the global GDP by 5% up to $5 0.5% of GDP could reduce the war’s economic
Trillion in 2025. impact by about half without significantly
adding to inflation.
World’s First Airlines to Use Solar
About OECD:
Aviation Fuel: ▪ The Organisation for Economic Co-
▪ Swiss International Air Lines AG (SWISS operation and Development (OECD) is an
or Swiss Air Lines) and its parent company, intergovernmental economic organisation
Lufthansa Group have partnered with with 38 member countries.
Switzerland based solar fuels start-up,
▪ It was founded in 1961 to stimulate economic
Synhelion SA (Synhelion) to use its solar
progress and world trade.
aviation fuel.
▪ Headquarters: Paris, France.
▪ Swiss International Airlines will become the
first airline to use solar aviation fuel (“sun-to- Global House Price Index Q4 2021:
liquid” fuel) to help power its flights. ▪ India has improved its rank by five spots to
▪ SWISS will become the first customer of solar be placed at 51st position in the ‘Global House
kerosene in 2023. Price Index Q4 2021’ released by property
consultant Knight Frank.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ India was placed at 56th position in Q4 of 2020.

 8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
DMK Government Reconstitutes State ▪ Psychological counsellors and medical doctors
Commission of Child Rights will offer guidance on nutrition, physical
▪ After it reconstituted the State Commission fitness and overall development of the
for Women, replacing the panel appointed student’s personality.
by the AIADMK government before the end ▪ A sense of Tamil culture and tradition too will
of its tenure, the DMK government has also be inculcated in the students.
withdrawn the State Commission for the ▪ Training will be offered through both in
Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) appointed person and virtual sessions, and a guidance
by the previous regime. bureau will be created in every school.
▪ Protection of Child Rights Act was enacted on ▪ A separate curriculum will be created and
2005. continuous classes will be offered for students
▪ The usual tenure of the SCPCR is Three years. in Classes IX to XII.
▪ A mentoring system will also be introduced
Start Removing invasive Plant Species with the help of alumni.
immediately, says HC ▪ Depending on the demand, classes on foreign
▪ The Madras High Court on asked the State languages will be offered to students to equip
Government to immediately commence a them in Finding Employment Abroad.
pilot project for the eradication of invasive
▪ “For Tamil Nadu to realize its ambitious target
alien plant species such as eucalyptus, wattle
of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, the
and prosopis juliflora, and carry out proper
State needed 2 million skilled youth in the
Ecological restoration of natural habitats.
State by 2026”, Mr. Stalin said, adding that
CM Launches Naan Mudhalvan Scheme Naan Mudhalvan was his “dream scheme.”
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Committee for Dravida Kalanchiam
inaugurated the Naan Mudhalvan scheme,
constituted
which aims to equip about 10 lakh youth
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

across the State annually with skills that will ▪ Tamil Nadu Government has allotted ₹20 lakh
help them realize their talents for the benefit for publishing Sangam literature with simple
of the country. and accessible commentaries and granted
permission for compilation of Dravida
▪ He also launched a new portal for this scheme.
Kalanchiam.
▪ The scheme aims to identify, train and offer
▪ An order issued by Tamil Development and
career and academic guidance to talented
Information Department said the Dravida
students in Government run and State aided
Kalanchiam would cover the works of scholars
educational institutions.
and thinkers of the Dravidian movement and
▪ It also aims at offering spoken English lessons publish them at an affordable price.
to enable students to face interview panels
▪ A committee has been constituted under the
successfully.
chairmanship of Thangam Thennarasu, the
▪ The scheme will offer training capsules Minister for Tamil Official Language and
in coding and robotics to keep pace with Tamil Culture.
Technological Advancements.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 63

▪ The members of the committee include ▪ Another entrepreneurship model is the

M.Rajendran, former Vice-chancellor, Producer Collective (PC). Under this, a large
Tamil University, V. Arasu, former head of number of producers come together for
Tamil Department, Madras University K. aggregation, value addition, marketing and

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Thirunavukkarasu, historian of the Dravidian service provisioning for economies of scale,
movement and others. and membership is usually between 300 and
3,000 producers.
Enterprises to Transform Rural Areas
▪ There is also Mahalir Vazhvaadhara Sevai
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has undertaken Maiyam, a one stop small business facilitation
a rural transformation project in partnership cumincubation centre at the block level.
with the World Bank to promote rural
▪ It provides business development support
enterprises in the farm, off farm and non-farm
services to individual and collective
sectors.
enterprises, besides channelizing the Matching
▪ While the World Bank provides 70% of the Grant Programme.
funding, the rest is borne by the State.
▪ Under the Programme, community
▪ The Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation skill schools provide training through
Project (TNRTP) now has an official brand locally available master craftsmen/expert
name, Vazhndhu Kattuvom (We shall practitioners on traditional arts and crafts and
live and show), and looks beyond poverty highly remunerative trades.
alleviation to develop a business ecosystem
▪ The Migrant Support Centre, a collaborative
that nurtures skills and fosters entrepreneurial
effort between TNRTP and Deen Dayal
capabilities among self-help groups (SHGs)
Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, is
and their households.
aimed at providing services to migrants within
▪ The project is operational in 3994 village the State.
panchayats in 120 blocks across 31 districts.
▪ M.K. Stalin’s vision of making Tamil Nadu a NUGGETS OF HISTORY
trillion-dollar economy by 2030 would require
Tamil Nadu in Focus:
expansion of enterprise groups along with a
business-driven ecosystem at various levels. First woman Mayor:
▪ With the completion of the urban local bodies
▪ The project looks at turning women into a
elections, Chennai is set to get a woman Mayor.
critical partner in the growth trajectory. It
focuses on enterprise promotion under various ▪ She will be the third woman Mayor since the
subsets at the individual and collective levels. Corporation was inaugurated in 1688 and
Nathaniel Higginson became its first Mayor.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ One subset is the Enterprise Group (EG) —

a group having joint ownership of business ▪ Tara Cherian was the first woman Mayor.
activities, with a shared profit and loss and Kamakshi Jayaraman was the second.
with the aim of reducing production costs, Last Congress CM:
improving quality and increasing revenues. ▪ National parties have been unable to come
Each EG will have 1030 members at the village to power in Tamil Nadu since the DMK
level. dislodged the Congress in 1967.
▪ In the Producer Group (PG) model, producers ▪ M. Bhaktavatsalam was the last Congress
of a particular commodity in a village come Chief Minister. He and former Chief Minister
together for aggregation, productivity K. Kamaraj, also of the Congress, lost in their
enhancement and collective actions to increase constituencies to the DMK candidates in 1967.
income. About 30-150 members are mobilized Women’s Association:
to form a PG. Each PG is provided a startup ▪ The Women’s Indian Association (WIA), one
grant of up to ₹75,000, based on their business of the first organisations formed by women in
plans. the country that was at the forefront of the fight
64 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

for women’s rights, was formed in Madras in ▪ Andhra Pradesh has replicated it as
1917, with Annie Besant as its president. Podupulakshmi Indira Kranti Patham, Bihar
▪ Stri Dharma was a magazine brought out by as Jeevika, Odisha as Mission Shakti Targeted
Rural Initiatives for Poverty Termination and

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

the WIA.
Bharat Ratnas from T.N.
Infrastructure. In Kerala, it is Kudumbashree.
▪ All the three recipients of Bharat Ratna in ▪ The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development
1954, the first year the award was instituted, of Women (TNCDW) is a significant player
were from Tamil Nadu. dispherding the movement.
▪ They were C. Rajagopalachari, C.V. Raman ▪ More than the economic dimension is the
and S. Radhakrishnan. impact that the SHGs made on women with
▪ Eight persons from the State have received the regard to enhancing their self-esteem.
award so far. ▪ The movement has proved that women can do
▪ The last to receive it were M.S. Subbulakshmi as much as men.
and C. Subramaniam. SHGs Defined:
First cinema in Chennai:
▪ A group of 12-20 poor women aged 18-60
▪ Electric Theatre, established by Warwick residing in an area is organized into a self-help
Major on Anna Salai in Madras in 1913, was group (SHG).
the first permanent, purpose-built cinema to ▪ To ensure the economic and social
come up in south India. empowerment of women, SHGs are trained
▪ Gaiety Theatre, built by Raghupathi Venkayya in effectively following the “pancha sutras”
in 1914, was the first cinema to be built in the – regular meetings, regular savings regular
city by an Indian. interval lending, regular maintenance of books
of accounts.
The Foot Soldiers in the Fight against ▪ A brief history during the DMK government,
Poverty: headed by M. Karunanidhi, the SHG movement
▪ When the concept of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was launched in 1989 in Dharmapuri district on
was launched 33 years ago in an obscure a pilot basis with the assistance of International
village of the backward Dharmapuri district Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to
with the assistance of International Fund improve the Economic and Social conditions
for Agricultural Development, the idea was of women.
to improve the overall socioeconomic and
political status of women. Present status of SHGs*:
▪ But, over the years, the SHGs have transformed No. of SHGs 7.22 lakhs
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

into a movement that has not only served as a

link between the conventional banking system Members 1.07 crore
and those who were left out but also emerged
Rural SHGs 4.8
as tools of Poverty Reduction.
▪ The SHGs, apart from being front runners in Members 70.97 lakhs
the Bank Linkage Programme (BLP), constitute Urban SHGs 2.42 lakhs
an important element in the implementation
of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and Members 35.71 lakhs
the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihoods Mission.
Source: State Rural Development and
▪ Today, Tamil Nadu’s ‘Mahilar Thittam’, Panchayat Raj Department’s Policy Note for
and its subsequent variants, is studied by 2021-22
development experts globally.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 65

R. Priya Elected Unopposed to the post existing SRDF was constituted under Section
of Chennai Mayor: 48 (1)(a) of the Act.
▪ R. Priya, 28, was elected unopposed in the ▪ SDMF is expected to support mitigation

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

indirect election to the post of Chennai Mayor projects that are identified in the State Disaster
on March 4. Management Plan or for implementing
▪ She belongs to the DMK. Greater Chennai mitigation projects that emerge out of a
Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep situation.
Singh Bedi administered the oath of office to ▪ Even before the Disaster Management Act,
Ms. Priya, who is the 49th person to assume 2005 was enacted, the Tamil Nadu government
Mayoral office in the city. in July 2003, constituted the State Disaster
Management Authority with Chief Secretary
₹1,470 Crore Sanctioned for Water as its chairperson to ensure coordinated
Supply Schemes: steps towards mitigation, preparedness and
▪ Nine hundred and eighteen habitations, spread coordinated response.
over five districts, are going to have combined ▪ After the Union Government enacted the
water supply schemes at a cost of about ₹1473 Disaster Management Act, 2005, in December,
crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission. which mandated the Chief Minister of the State
▪ Of them, 667 are in Tiruvarur district; 109 in as the Chairperson of the respective SDMA, it
Tiruchi; 88 habitations and Sembedu village was reconstituted in September 2008.
panchayat in Ranipet; 32 in Mayiladuthurai; ▪ According to the Revenue and Disaster
and 22 in Tirunelveli. Management Department, floods were
▪ The Central Government’s share of the cost will reported in various parts of the State in 1977,
be about ₹581.5 crore; the State Government’s 1985, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010,
₹884.3 crore; and the community contribution 2011 and 2015.
₹7.4 crore. ▪ Cyclones hit parts of the State in 1977, 1991,
▪ The State’s share includes ₹112.57 crore to be 1992, 1993, 2000, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018
paid to the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and and 2020. Tsunami hit coastal districts in 2004.
Drainage (TWAD) Board towards centage. Several incidents of major landslides were
About TWAD: reported in the Nilgiris district.
▪ The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage New Mayors of New Corporation:
Board (TWAD Board) is a statutory body
▪ Sundari elected first Mayor of Cuddalore.
corporate constituted under TWAD Board
Act, 1970 on 14.04.1971. ▪ S K. Vasanthakumari and M. Mahalakshmi
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Yuvaraj won the indirect elections to become

▪ TWAD Board is entrusted with the
the first Mayors of the Tambaram and
development of Water Supply and Sewerage
Kancheepuram Corporations respectively.
facilities in the State of Tamil Nadu, except
Chennai Metropolitan Development Areas. ▪ G. Udaya Kumar became the First Mayor of
the Avadi Municipal Corporation.
T.N. Government sets up State
Centenary International Symposium on
Disaster Mitigation Fund:
Mahakavi Bharathiar Memorial at
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has set up the
State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) for Tamil University:
undertaking projects that are exclusively for ▪ To commemorate the centenary of the birth
the purpose of disaster mitigation. of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiar, the
Department of Overseas Tamil Education
▪ This fund is different from the State Disaster
of the University of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur,
Response Fund (SDRF). The SDMF has been
the Department of Tamil at the University
constituted under Section 48 (1) (c) of the
of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and the Vanavil
Disaster Management Act, 2005, while the
66 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Cultural Center will jointly hold a two- The Urban Quest:

day international seminar on "Mahakavi ▪ September 29, 1688, Madras became the first
Bharathiar's Prose Works" on March 30 and 31. city corporation to come into existence in
India. That day, Nathaniel Higginson took the

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The statue of Mahakavi Bharathiar will also be
unveiled at the seminar to be held at the Tamil oath as the first Mayor of Madras, along with
University. those nominated.
▪ Chennai did not have a Mayor from 1973 to
Two years on, PENN Continues Working
1996, after the post was suspended because of
to Tackle Sexual Violence: a scam, known as the ‘Muster Roll Scandal’.
▪ From teaching them self-defense techniques
to helping them tackle cyber bullying, PENN, Date Number of
a non-Governmental Organisation, has been Corporation
Inaugurated Voters*
reaching out to school and college students in
the fight against sexual violence. Chennai 29 Sep, 1688 61.73 Lakh
Madurai 1 May 1971 13.44 Lakh
T.N. sets up Cyber-Crime
Investigation Centre Coimbatore 1 May 1981 15.65 Lakh
▪ The Cyber Crime Wing of Tamil Nadu Police is Tiruchi 1 April 1994 7.8 Lakh
setting up a first of its kind State Cyber Crime
Investigation Centre at its headquarters, to deal Salem 1 June 1994 7.31 Lakh
exclusively with cases like organized cyber- Tirunelveli 1 June 1994 4.21 lakh
crimes that have international ramifications
and require intra-country investigation, Erode 1 Jan 2008 4.49 lakh
ransomware attacks, cryptocurrency frauds. Tiruppur 1 Jan 2008 7.23 lakh
▪ The Cyber Crime Investigation Centre will
Vellore 1 Aug 2008 4.15 lakh
handle those cases where the complainant and
suspect jurisdictions cannot be defined and Thoothukudi 5 Aug 2008 3.26 Lakh
also cases pertaining to victims belonging to
Dindigul 19 Feb 2014 1.84 Lakh
more than one jurisdiction.
▪ It will also handle social media abuses that Thanjavur 19 Feb 2014 1.99 lakh
target important Constitutional functionaries, Hosur 1 March 2019 2.2 lakh
disturbs the integrity of the State, indulges
in antinational activities, spreads false news Nagercoil 1 March 2019 2.47 lakh
on sensitive issues, posts pictures and videos Avadi 17 June 2019 3.13 lakh
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India

and disturbs public order. Sivakasi 21 Oct 2021 1.11 Lakh
▪ The centre will handle organized crimes Karur 21 Oct. 2021 1.88 Lakh
committed in the cyber space, which requires
Cuddalore 21 Oct 2021 1.44 Lakh
an international level investigation; organized
crimes of interstate nature, which requires Kanchepuram 21 Oct 2021 2.23 Lakh
regular coordination from other States, and
Tambaram 3 Nov 2021 7.78 Lakh
highly specialized cases like ransomware and
cryptocurrency, where it is difficult to create Kumbakonam 20 Dec 2021 1.29 Lakh
expertise at the station level.
▪ In the last six months, the State has already
set up 47 cyber-crime police stations in all
districts, cities and special units of police.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 67

Approval to begin 11 research centers ▪ The key areas that will be discussed under
at Anna University: research and development and innovation
▪ In Tamil Nadu, the Board of Governors of and digital governance include energy and
net zero; education; healthcare and assistive

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Anna University has approved the setting
up of new research centers in 11 departments technologies; water; infrastructure and
to give priority to research and to conduct communication; transport and mobility;
research at the Anna University similar to urbanization and housing; rural development
those conducted at Central Government and agriculture; fintech and inclusion; and
Educational Institutions. Information Security and defence.

M. Karunanidhi’s statue and an Eco- G.O. on Reconstituted Welfare board for

Park Inaugurated: Persons with Disabilities put on Hold:
▪ Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin unveiled the ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has temporarily
bronze life-sized statue of ‘Kalaignar’ M. withdrawn its recent order announcing the
Karunanidhi at the party office in Thoothukudi reconstituted welfare board for persons with
in the presence of Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi disabilities.
Karunanidhi. ▪ Minister for Social Welfare and Women Rights
▪ He said he had the opportunity to unveil Geetha Jeevan made the announcement on
the statue of Kalaignar in Chennai, Erode, March 6.
Kancheepuram, Murasoli office in Chennai, ▪ The initial proposal to reconstitute the board,
but he was feeling elated to unveil the statue as outlined in the G.O., lacked representation
here in Thoothukudi as this was the first city of 21 categories of disabilities, as outlined in
where he addressed the party workers after the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act,
the mega victory of the DMK in the Civic Polls. 2016. No representatives were named from
▪ Mr. Stalin also inaugurated an Eco Park set different districts.
up by Ramco Cements on 72 acres of unused ▪ The order had said the board, chaired by
quarry site at Pandalgudi in Virudhunagar the Chief Minister, would have four official
district on March 2 2022. members, including him, one specialist
▪ This park is part of an ambitious plan to plant or expert in the field of disability and six
1 million trees on 800 acres of land by 2027. representatives of NGOs and associations.
▪ In 2007, the DMK government had constituted
Bureaucrats, Academics, Entrepreneurs to the board.
ideate on Research and Innovation:
▪ The “Imagining India @2047 through Stalin Inaugurates India’s Maiden
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

innovation” being held from March 7 to 9 will Floating power plant in Thoothukudi:
have young academicians from the Indian ▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin on March 7
Institute of Technology Madras and young inaugurated the first and largest floating
entrepreneurs from the institute’s incubation solar power plant in India, which is expected
cell interacting with young bureaucrats. to generate 42 million units of electricity per
▪ The Department of Administrative Reforms annum at a cost of Rs. 150 crores and 40 lakhs.
and Public Grievances along with the IITM ▪ The plant is established on the large
and IITM Research Park is organizing the water reservoir at the factory premises of
event. SPIC (Southern Petrochemical Industries
▪ Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Corporation) firm in Thoothukudi.
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, is
expected to inaugurate the event on
March 8.
68 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The new 25.3 MW DC / 22 MW AC floating ▪ Addressing the Women’s Day celebration by

solar power plant is set up with SPIC’s ESG the Women’s Wing of the DMK, Mr. Stalin said
strategy to enable state-of-the-art green, he had taken a cue from the ‘Samathuvapurams’
sustainable technology and self-sufficient created by the government headed by

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

energy production. Kalaignar (Karunanidhi).
▪ Floating solar projects provide higher yields ▪ The houses in the Samathuvapuram were
than traditional land-based solar plants, allotted to women heads of family.
improving energy production and saving
precious water from Evaporation. CM Distributes various Awards in
recognition of Services
Every District in T.N. will see Industrial ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented the
Growth: Avvaiyar Award for 2022 to social worker
▪ The ultimate goal of the Tamil Nadu Girija Kumarbabu, in recognition of her service
Government is to ensure growth in all districts, towards the welfare of women and children.
said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Thoothukudi ▪ The Avvaiyar Award includes an eight-gram
on March 7. gold medal, a cheque for ₹1 lakh, a shawl and
▪ Laying the foundation for establishing a World a citation.
Class Furniture Park on a sprawling 1,156 acres ▪ Mr. Stalin also handed over the ‘Bharat
of land at an estimated cost of ₹1000 crore, Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Traditional Rice Variety
situated close to the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Conservator Award’ for 2020-21 to S. Moorthy
Mr. Stalin said he was confident that not only from Namakkal district, K. Ponnu Puthiyavan
Thoothukudi, but every district in Tamil Nadu from Tirunelveli district and P. Lakshmi Devi
would witness industrial Growth. from Tirunelveli district, along with the cash
▪ The furniture park, a first of its kind in the prize.
country, was the need of the hour for the State. ▪ Mr. Stalin handed over awards to those
who could not take part in the Republic Day
Disaster management conclave
celebration this year to collect these.
Launched
▪ V. Muthukrishnan from Sivaganga, S. Logith
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu
from Tiruchi, K. Asokan from Coimbatore
inaugurated the first Regional Conclave
and C. Sudha alias Pechiammal from
on Disaster Management organized by the
Tiruppur received the Anna Gallantry
National Disaster Management Authority
Award, each comprising a cash prize of
in coordination with the Tamil Nadu State
₹1 lakh, a citation and a medal.
Disaster Management Authority in the city.
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▪ While farmer S. Ramasamy from Salem

▪ A total of 10 coastal States and Union Territories
district received the C. Narayanasamy Naidu
are participating in the two-day event, which
paddy intensification Award for obtaining the
will provide a platform for sharing the
highest yield of paddy through the System of
challenges faced by the participants in disaster
Rice Intensification method, which included a
management and learning best practices from
cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a medal, Inspector
each other.
of Police (Intelligence) M. Kumar from
‘TNUHDB to Allot Houses in the Name Vellore Zone, and Sub Inspector of Police
of Women Heads of Family’ S. Chidambaram, attached to Musiri Police
Station, received the Gandhi Adigal Police
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the allotment
Medals, each of which includes a cheque for
of houses by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat
₹40,000.
Development Board (formerly the Slum
Clearance Board) will henceforth be made in
the name of women heads of family.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 69

Initiative launched to revamp school social inclusion; upgrade infrastructure and

management panels: facilitate industrial development; provide
▪ The School Education Department launched skill development and entrepreneurship
development; facilitate institutional credit;

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

the ‘Nam Palli Nam Perumai’ (Our School,
Our Pride) initiative on March 8. protect heritage and culture; achieve ecological
balance and enhance data governance.
▪ It is aimed at restructuring school management
committees in government schools. ▪ The role of the selected Fellows will be to
identify and monitor issues, and aid data-
▪ The revamped committee will aim to
driven decision making in the assigned
understand and assess the needs of a school,
programmes to address the gaps and optimise
ensure community participation and chalk out
the service delivery.
steps to be taken to ensure quality education is
accessible to students. ▪ They have to undertake visits to districts to
assess ground situation, elicit feedbacks and
▪ The committee will have 20 members, and
assist in appropriate follow up actions.
a parent will head it. Fifty per cent of the
committee should be women, and a parent of ▪ They will get a monthly remuneration of
a child with special needs should be part of the ₹50,000 each and an additional allowance of
committee as an office-bearer. ₹10,000 each to meet their incidental Expenses.
▪ Increasing enrolment, ensuring that students ▪ Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM)
continue attending school, creating a in Tiruchi, which is functioning as a not-for-
conducive environment for learning and profit society, registered under the Societies
improving infrastructure are among the areas Registration Act, has been proposed to be the
that the committees will focus on and collect academic partner for the Fellowships.
information about. ▪ The selection process would have three stages–
preliminary assessment (internet-based test),
T.N. Budget on March 18: comprehensive examination (written test) and
▪ The Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan a personal interview.
will present an e-Budget for 2022-23 on March
18, Assembly Speaker M. Appavu said. Conference with Collectors, Police and
Forest Officials:
State rolls out CM’s Fellowship ▪ The three-day conference with Collectors and
Programme: officials of the Departments of Police and
▪ The State Government has issued orders for Forest begins in Chennai (March 10 to March
implementing the Chief Minister’s Fellowship 12). Forest Department officials will take part
Programme (TNCMFP) during 2022-24 at an at the conference for the first time.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

estimated cost of ₹5.66 crore.

▪ While 24 persons would get the fellowship
Tambaram to get five ration shops with
for researching in 12 identified thematic areas MLACDS funds
(two fellows for each area) for synergies in ▪ Five ration shops will come up in
implementation, monitoring and evaluation Tambaram Corporation limits under the
by grouping the various departments MLA Constituency Development Scheme
and schemes, another six would be in the (MLACDS) of S.R. Raja.
Monitoring Cell of the Special Programme ▪ The shops would be constructed at a cost of
Implementation Department. ₹53.30 lakh.
▪ Twelve areas identified for research are– ▪ About MLACDS:
augment water resources; increase agricultural ▪ The MLACDS is being implemented in Tamil
production and create marketing linkages; Nadu in order to identify and execute the
provide housing for all; improve educational essential infrastructure works in the assembly
standards; boost health indicators; achieve constituencies.
70 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The MLAs identify infrastructure gaps in the ▪ Forty-two Dalit-run Tamil magazines that
constituencies and propose the works to be came out between 1869 to 1943 have been
executed under the scheme. documented.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The scheme is being implemented both rural
First Padma Shri Awardee:
and urban areas.
▪ Mary Club Wala Jadhav, a pioneer in social
▪ From 2011 – 12 onwards, the fund allocation
work, was the first from Tamil Nadu to receive
per constituency under the scheme had been
the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian
increased from Rs. 1.75 Crore to Rs.2.00 crore.
award, in 1955.
NUGGETS OF HISTORY: ▪ She has the distinction of being honored with
Tamil Nadu in Focus Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan as
well in 1965 and 1978.
Record Majority:
▪ The DMK holds the record for the highest Tamil Nadu needs a ‘tech’tonic shift:
number of seats won by a party in the Tamil ▪ What is the ‘tech’tonic shift needed for Tamil
Nadu Assembly elections. Nadu to reclaim that momentum?
▪ In 1971, it won 184 of the 203 seats it ▪ Here’s what the State can do to accelerate high
contested. This was the first election faced value growth along with social inclusion.
by M. Karunanidhi after he became the Chief ▪ First, the State should attract companies
Minister in 1969 following the death of C.N. investing big in digital technologies such as
Annadurai. cloud, data and analytics, artificial intelligence
and IoT, as well as deep technologies such as
A Peek into History: quantum computing, photonics and advanced
▪ Madura Vijayam, a collection of Sanskrit material science.
poems, written by Ganga Devi in the 14th
▪ Second, the State should draw global capability
century, gives a valuable account of the
centres (GCCs) of multinational companies.
conquest of Madurai by the Vijayanagara
Empire, which brought the Madurai Sultanate ▪ Today, India has over 1,400 GCCs employing
to an end. more than a million people. Despite being
home to the GCCs of large players such as
▪ The Text was discovered in the early 20th
Wal-Mart, Astra Zeneca, Fidelity, TransUnion,
century in Thiruvananthapuram.
Wells Fargo, Shell and BNP Paribas, Tamil
Treaty to cede Madras: Nadu enjoys only a single digit share of the
▪ The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, signed to end overall opportunity.
▪ Third, the State, among India’s most urbanized,
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

the War of Austrian Succession between

European powers in the 18th century, had should incentivize expansion across its large
ramifications for Madras. number of tier2 cities.
▪ Through this treaty, the French gave Madras ▪ The COVID19 pandemic has mainstreamed
back to the British in 1749 in return for a colony work-from-anywhere models, turning the
in North America. spotlight on tier2 and tier3 cities.
▪ The French had taken over Madras in 1746. ▪ Some of the largest IT services players such as
Accenture, Tech Mahindra, Mindtree and L&T
First Dalit-run Magazine: Infotech have entered Coimbatore in the last
▪ Sooriyodayam, a magazine started by few months alone, joining companies such as
Thiruvenkitasamy Pandithar in 1869, is the HCL, Omega Healthcare and Zoho, who have
first Tamil magazine run by a Dalit. a presence in Madurai, Tiruchi and Tenkasi as
▪ While no copies have survived, colonial well.
records show it was published from Pudupet ▪ Fourth, the State should galvanise the startup
in Madras. and innovation ecosystem. With private equity,
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 71

venture capital and angel investors looking of Gandhi, who came to Kanniyakumari and
to invest in techfocused newage companies, lived in Vazhavilai.
Tamil Nadu has a golden opportunity to ▪ Local people knew him as Konti swami
extend its head start in SaaS (Zoho, Freshworks

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

because he wore a vaishna vite mark on his
and Chargebee) and FinTech (CredAvenue, forehead.
Credit Mantri, and KaleidoFin) to ManuTech, ▪ He was among the 100 Brahmins, who heeded
HealthTech and deep tech. Gandhi’s call and lived in Dalit villages. He
▪ Finally, the State should market itself better started a night school for Dalits and inculcated
both within India and globally. Humility may nationalistic fervor in people through
well be a virtue, but marketing is not a vice! education.
A Platform that helps raise Capital About Poona Pact:
▪ Tamil Nadu may be home to thousands of ▪ The Poona Pact was an agreement between
small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar
when it comes to raising funds through bank on behalf of depressed classes and upper
loans, firms continue to face a challenge. caste Hindu leaders on the reservation of
electoral seats for the depressed classes in the
▪ To address this, the Tamil Nadu government
legislature of British India in 1932. It was made
is looking at pushing such firms to raise
on 24 September 1932 at Yerwada Central Jail
funds through listing their shares on the SME
in Poona, India.
platform of the BSE (formerly Bombay Stock
Exchange) and the National Stock Exchange ▪ It was signed by Ambedkar on behalf of the
(NSE). depressed classes and by Madan Mohan
Malviya on behalf of Hindus and Gandhi.
▪ This platform, available on the BSE since
March 2012, is seen as an alternative to raising ▪ The pact was signed to end the fast that
bank loans, which poses many hurdles. Gandhi was undertaking in jail as a protest
against the decision made by British prime
▪ The government has been providing assistance
minister Ramsay MacDonald to give separate
for listing and raising money in SME stock
electorates to depressed classes for the election
exchanges with a maximum subsidy of ₹30
of members of provincial legislative assemblies
lakh towards total expenditure incurred on
in British India.
SME initial public offering. In the current year,
₹1 crore has been allocated for the scheme. The Architects from Tamil Nadu who led
▪ NSE SME platform ‘Emerge’, too, has criteria the Turnaround:
such as companies should have a positive net ▪ The late 1950s and early 1960s marked the
worth and an operating profit for at least any
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

period when agriculture scientists, just as

two out of the three financial years. policymakers, were seriously engaged in
▪ Chennai based Thejo Engineering Ltd. was efforts to develop high yielding crop varieties.
the first company to raise capital of ₹19 crore The reason was not far to seek.
through the Emerge platform in 2012. ▪ India had been meeting the bulk of its grain
requirements through imports, especially
A Messenger from Gandhi:
from the U.S. under the Public Law (PL)480
▪ There stands an old building housing a temple agreements since 1954.
at Vazhavilai near the Padmanabhapuram
▪ M.S. Swaminathan, also from Tamil Nadu,
palace in Kanniyakumari district.
who had a postgraduate degree in cytogenetics
▪ It stands testimony to Mahatma Gandhi’s call and Ph.D. from Cambridge, joined the Indian
to caste Hindus to work among Dalits in every Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New
village after the Poona Pact in 1932. Delhi, as assistant cytogeneticist in October
▪ The building once housed a night school started 1954. In 1959, he approached American
by Babu Ramanuja Das, one of the followers agriculture scientist plant pathologist Norman
72 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Borlaug to get some of his semidwarf wheat ▪ Dr. Swaminathan occupied other positions,
breeding material. including the Director-general of the Indian
▪ In March 1963, Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Nobel Prize for Peace for his role in combating ▪ Though CS ceased to be the Food and
world hunger, visited different parts of north Agriculture Minister after his defeat in the
India, along with Dr. Swaminathan, before 1967 Lok Sabha election, the seeds sown
supplying the suitable material. by him and his team helped India achieve a
▪ After successful trials of the material, Dr. quantum jump in wheat production by 1968.
Swaminathan and other scientists were ▪ He was honored with Bharat Ratna, the
convinced that the country could achieve a country’s highest civilian award, in 1998.
breakthrough in wheat production. ▪ The country, which had approached the U.S.
▪ It was at this juncture that CS teamed up literally with a “begging bowl” in the 1960s,
with Dr. Swaminathan and both went on to unilaterally declared the termination of the
have an admirable policymaker technocrat PL480 arrangements on December 31, 1971, on
relationship. the ground that it had become self-sufficient in
▪ There was one more Tamilian who joined the grain production.
duo — B. Sivaraman, who, as the Agriculture ▪ During 2021-22, it produced a record 127.93
Secretary, provided critical support to all the million tonnes of rice and 111.32 million tonnes
new initiatives. of wheat during 2021-22, according to the data
▪ Citing the tight situation in foreign exchange released last month by the Union Ministry of
reserves, the then Finance Minister, T.T. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Krishnamachari, had opposed importing ▪ There are areas in agricultural production
tonnes of high yielding varieties of grain. where the country is still lagging. For example,
▪ A section of scientists even contended that the pulses and edible oil continue to be imported.
introduction of the Mexican seeds might bring A vibrant collaboration for positive outcomes
in new diseases. is the need of the hour.
▪ But, in due course, all hurdles were overcome. ▪ The country is only to follow the model shown
Of course, the CS Swaminathan team received by CS and Dr. Swaminathan, and improve
enormous support from Shastri initially and upon it.
his successor Indira Gandhi.
Organic Farming & Product Export in
▪ The diplomatic skills of CS also helped when
Tamil Nadu:
he had tough negotiations with representatives
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has announced
of the U.S., including the then President,
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

that prizes will be given to farmers who excel

Lyndon B. Johnson, during the back-to-back
in organic farming and product exports.
drought in the mid-1960s that led to the “ship-
to-mouth” situation in the availability of food ▪ In this regard, the Secretary of the Department
grains. of Agriculture, C Samaya Moorthy said, A
prize of Rs 2 lakh is to be given to farmers
▪ Dr. Swaminathan’s stint, as the director of the
who discover agricultural technologies and
IARI, which commenced in July 1966, saw
equipment’s. Similarly, a total of Rs. 2 lakhs
the growth of the institute in a huge way,
will be given to farmers who excel in organic
contributing to the enhanced agricultural
farming and agricultural exports.
production.
▪ The farmer who wants to participate in this
▪ The institute went on to have 23 divisions
competition must first register his name
against the original strength of six.
through the Uzhavan Mobile application.
▪ Directorates dealing with wheat, pulses,
▪ Farmers who cultivate in leasing land can also
nuclear research in agriculture, and water
participate in this competition.
technology came up.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 73

Shields to Best Performing Districts in ▪ The president of the Association of Indian

various sections: Universities (AIU), G. Thiruvasagam,
▪ The Conference of District Collectors and spoke on the theme: ‘Realising Sustainable
Development Goals through higher education

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Superintendents of Police began in Chennai
on March 10. institutions for ensuring inclusive and quality
education’.
▪ The Chief Minister presented shields on
the first day of the conference to the police ▪ AIU secretary-general Pankaj Mittal said India
personnel who have excelled under various ranked 120th in the Sustainable Development
sections in the districts. Goals and had only eight years to reach the
target.
They are:
9 Namakkal for raising awareness on India’s First Furniture Park:
cybercrimes. ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the
9 Thoothukudi district for special anti-drug foundation stone for India’s first international
operation. furniture park at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.
9 Madurai for taking special action against ▪ The park seeks to create a better ecosystem
those involved in crime. to meet 70-80 percent of the raw material
9 Vellore District for fitting a greater number demand.
of surveillance cameras.
Prioritise inclusive Growth, CM tells
9 Coimbatore district for handling the office
Collectors:
management online.
▪ During his concluding remarks on the
A Workshop for Journalists on second day of the three day conference of
Tuberculosis Eradication: Collectors and senior officials, Mr. Stalin
▪ Tamil Nadu Tuberculosis Prevention said, “You should prioritise the requirements
Programme Additional Director Dr Asha of the marginalised sections, minorities, the
Frederick has said awareness about TB needs Scheduled Castes and Tribes and differently
to be created at school and college level abled persons.”
and the TB Prevention Programme is being ▪ Citing a study, the Chief Minister said
implemented with the aim of creating a deficiency of nutrients among children in
Tuberculosis-free India by 2025. Dharmapuri district was 36% and advised
▪ She said testing centres were being set up to officials to focus on the implementation of
diagnose tuberculosis. She also said everyone the Integrated Child Development Services
should be aware of tuberculosis like corona (ICDS). “Though Tamil Nadu stood second
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

and that our goal is to create a Tuberculosis- in the economy, I regret to say that the State
free India by 2025. stands 19th [in nutrition among children]. It is
our duty to set it right,” he said.
▪ Consultant, Tuberculosis Prevention Unit,
World Health Organisation, Dr Prabhu ▪ Mr. Stalin referred to Anaithu Grama Anna
Ravanan said 37 per lakh people in India die Marumalarchi Thittam and Kalaignarin
of tuberculosis. Anaithu Grama Orunginaintha Velan Valarchi
Thittam, and said these schemes could benefit
▪ He also said mobile testing centers were being
lakhs of people and urged the Collectors to
set up at village level to diagnose tuberculosis
focus on implementing them, coordinating
and the number is set to increase.
with multiple departments.
▪ He said the Government was providing
financial assistance to TB patients through
direct Bank Transfers.

South Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Meet in

Coimbatore:
74 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

International Seminar in Chennai: India.

Organized by the Department of ▪ The country has been witnessing a progressive
Archeology reduction in MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The Department of Archeology, Government in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-18, and to 103 in 2017-
of Tamil Nadu and the Roja Muthiah Research 19.
Library launched an international seminar ▪ India is on the verge of achieving National
on 'Ancient Tamil Culture and Tradition' Health Policy (NHP) target of 100/lakh live
in memory of the late sculptor Iravatham births by 2020 and certainly on track to achieve
Mahadevan at the Anna Centenary Library in the SDG target of 70/ lakh live births by 2030.
Chennai. ▪ The number of states which have achieved the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target
CM opens all-India builders’ has now risen from 5 to 7 viz. Kerala (30),
Convention Maharashtra (38), Telangana (56), Tamil Nadu
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 12 (58), Andhra Pradesh (58), Jharkhand (61), and
inaugurated the 30th All India Builders’ Gujarat (70).
Convention. ▪ There are now nine (9) States that have
▪ The Builders’ Association of India handed over achieved the target of MMR set by the NHP
a copy of the resolution adopted in its meeting which include the above 7 and the States of
to the Chief Minister for implementation of Karnataka (83) and Haryana (96).
Construction Labourers Welfare Insurance ▪ Encouraging achievement has been reported
Scheme. by Uttar Pradesh [which has shown the
Airport gets IPbased Navigation maximum decline of 30 points.
Services System ▪ Remarkably, three states (Kerala, Maharashtra
▪ The IPbased Automatic Message Switching and Uttar Pradesh) have shown more than
System (AMSS) has been commissioned at 15% decline in MMR.
Chennai airport. What is MMR?
▪ Nearly 120 hours before the departure of an ▪ The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is defined
international flight, a flight plan is prepared, as the number of maternal deaths during
sent to the origin, destination and airports a given time period per 100,000 live births
enroute. during the same time period.
▪ From aeronautical to meteorological ▪ India's MMR - 99 for 2020.
information, several crucial operational Walkathon organized in City ahead of
messages are shared among several
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

World Sleep Day

departments to transport a passenger safely.
This new software does all of this seamlessly. ▪ A walkathon to create awareness on the
importance of proper sleep was organized
▪ AMSS is available at other major airports jointly by the Dr. V.S. Natarajan Geriatric
in the country, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Foundation, the Indian Medical Association
Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru.” (Ayanavaram–Villivakkam Chapter) and
MGM Hospital.
▪ The Event was organised a head of World
India on verge of achieving SDG target Sleep Day, which, according to the World
of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of Sleep Society, Falls on March 18 this year.
70/ lakh live births by 2030
▪ In a significant achievement, Maternal
Over 60 Innovative Tech Projects
Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined featured at IIT Madras CFI open house:
by 10 points as per the Special Bulletin on ▪ IIT Madras Centre for Innovation (CFI)'s
MMR released by the Registrar General of annual Open House' 2022 on March 13
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 75

featured over 60 innovative tech projects made ▪ The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational
by the students. Services Corporation and the Hyderabad Book
▪ The event returned to a physical mode after a Trust jointly published these books under the
Thisaithorum Dravidam Project.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

gap of two years and showcased autonomous
vehicles, rockets besides the first-ever electric
Awards to Tamil Scholars and
formula car from the institute made completely
by the Student Team 'Raftar.' Tamil Organizations:
▪ MK Stalin will present various awards of
▪ Some of the new initiatives at CFI include:
the Government of Tamil Nadu to scholars
creating the chennaiwaterlogging.org,
and organizations who have worked for
a platform enabling public participation
the development of Tamil in Chennai on
in Chennai region to improve disaster
March 15.
preparedness.
▪ MK Stalin will address the function and
2022-23 will be declared 'Year of will present awards to Tamil scholars and
Millets': Tamil organizations who are proud to have
▪ The upcoming year will be declared the 'Year volunteered for the development of the Tamil
of Millets', said Agriculture and Farmers language and literature and the life of the
Welfare Minister MRK Panneerselvam in Tamil community.
Thanjavur on March 13. ▪ A total of 21 awards including the awards
▪ Talking to mediapersons after chairing a in the names of Thiruvalluvar, Kamarajar,
pre-agriculture budget meeting with farmers Ambedkar, Bharathiyar, Bharathidasan, K.A.P
of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Viswanatham, Kambar, G.U. Pope, Anna,
Mayiladuthurai, and Ariyalur districts the Periyar, Umaru Pulavar, Illango Adigal,
minister said to reduce dependence on other Devaneya Pavanar, Singaravelar, Maraimalai
States for millets and pulses, the cultivation of Adigal, Vallalar, Iyotheethasa Pandithar
the same would be promoted. and Mudhalvar Kanini Tamil award, C P
Adithanar monthly magazine award, and
India’s First Ambulance for Street Tamil Thaai award will be presented.
Animals Launched:
Project in VOC port under Gati Shakti:
▪ India’s first ambulance for street animals has
been launched in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. ▪ VO Chidambaranar Port Authority Chairman
TV Ramachandran said the Union government
▪ It has been started by the Blue Cross of India
has proposed to implement the outer harbour
in collaboration with the international animal
development project at the port under the Gati
welfare organization “Four Paw”.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Shakti scheme, at a total estimated cost of Rs

Cognizant to create technical 7,500 crore.
Infrastructure in Govt. Schools ▪ The Gati Shakti plan also envisages a
▪ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was centralised portal comprising all existing and
signed between the Tamil Nadu government’s planned infrastructure initiatives of 16 Union
School Education Department and Cognizant ministries and departments, so as to provide
towards creating technical infrastructure in every department a visibility of each other's
government schools, resources to simplify activities and to share critical data while
technical education and train teachers. planning and executing projects.
▪ Mr. Stalin also released the Telugu translation ▪ The outer harbour development project for
of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s VOC port was first announced in the Union
Thirukkural Urai by Professor Jayaprakash Budget 2013.
and the Telugu translation of novelist Sundara
Ramaswamy’s Oru Puliyamarathin Kathai by
Gowri Kirubanandan.
76 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

About Gati Shakti scheme or 9 Kumari Ananthan - Perunthalaivar

National Master Plan for Kamarajar Award.
multi-modal connectivity plan: 9 Bharathi Krishnakumar -

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Aim: To ensure integrated planning and Mahakavi Bharathiar Award.
implementation of infrastructure projects in 9 Senthalai N. Gowthaman - Paventhar
the next four years, with focus on expediting Bharathidasan Award.
works on the ground, saving costs and creating 9 M. Rajendran - Muthamizh Kaavalar
jobs. K.A.P. Viswanatham Award.
▪ The Gati Shakti scheme will subsume the Rs 9 Bharathi Bhaskar - Kambar Award.
110 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline 9 Surya Xavier - Sollin Selvar Award.
that was launched in 2019.
9 Senior journalist and the former
▪ Besides cutting logistics costs, the scheme Readers’ Editor of The Hindu, A.S.
is also aimed at increasing cargo handling Panneerselvan - G.U. Pope Award.
capacity and reducing the turnaround time at
9 N. Mamad - Umaruppulavar Award.
ports to boost trade.
9 Nellai Kannan - Ilango Adigal Award.
▪ It also aims to have 11 industrial corridors
and two new defence corridors - one in Tamil 9 K. Arasendhiran - Devaneya
Nadu and other in Uttar Pradesh. Extending Paavanar Award.
4G connectivity to all villages is another aim. 9 Madhukkur Ramalingam -
Adding 17,000 kms to the gas pipeline network Singaravelar Award.
is being planned. 9 Sugi. Sivam - Maraimalai Adigalar Award.
▪ It will help in fulfilling the ambitious targets 9 R. Sanjeevirayar - Arutperunjothi
set by the government for 2024-25, including Vallalar Award and
expanding the length of the national highway 9 Gnana. Aloysius - Iyothee
network to 2 lakh kms, creation of more Das Pandithar Award.
than 200 new airports, heliports and water
9 S.P. Adithanar Award on Uyirmai, a
Aerodromes.
magazine. Its editor S. Abdul Hameed,
Book Park to be set up soon: CM alias Manushya Puthiran, received it.
▪ A book park (‘Puthaga Poonga’) will be 9 The Tamil Thai Award was conferred
established in Tamil Nadu in consultation with on Malaysia Tamil Ezhuthalar
the Book Sellers and Publishers Association of Sangam. Its officebearers P. Rajendran,
South India (BAPASI), and it could be a one Simon Gnanamuthu and Muniyandi
Maruthan received the award.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

stop solution for booklovers, Chief Minister

M.K. Stalin said.
TANGEDCO enters into
▪ The Thiruvalluvar Award for 2022 was
Agreements for Procuring 2,900 MW of
conferred on late scholar M. Meenakshi
Sundaram, and it was received by his wife Power:
Vasantha. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution
Corporation (Tangedco) Limited has entered
▪ The Chief Minister Kanini Thamizh Award
into agreements with three firms for procuring
was conferred on V. Dhanalakshmi.
2,900 MW of power.
Awards for 2021:
▪ The agreement with NLC India Limited was
9 Historian K. Thirunavukkarasu
for procuring 1,500 MW, the agreements with
- Thanthai Periyar Award.
Solar Energy Corporation of India and M/s
9 The retired Madras High Court judge, K. Power Trading Corporation of India Limited
Chandru, - Annal Ambedkar Award. were for procuring 1,000 MW and 400 MW
9 Nanjil Sampath - Perarignar Anna Award. respectively.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 77

Govt. formulates Tamil Nadu Data ▪ The committee, led by retired IAS officer N.
Policy, 2022: Sunderadevan, was constituted in July last
▪ Aiming at harnessing data for effective year to look into the challenges faced by the
sector and suggest immediate, medium term

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

decision making, the State government has
formulated the Tamil Nadu Data Policy, 2022. and long-term measures.
▪ It is expected to support policymaking, ▪ Mr. Stalin also released “The Molluscs of
improve implementation of schemes, Gulf of Mannar, India and Adjacent Waters:
encourage value-added services and improve A Fully Illustrated Guide”, which documents
the quality of services. over 1,000 species found in this geographical
location.
▪ A State-level empowered data governance
committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, Paddy Procurement Records a Marginal
would provide strategic guidance for Rise:
the data policy framework, while a data
▪ The State has witnessed a marginal rise in
interdepartmental committee, headed by
the procurement of paddy this year when
the Chief Executive Officer of Tamil Nadu
compared to last year.
e-Governance Agency (TNeGA), would make
the operational level decisions. The CEO of ▪ Till now (March 14), about 25.07 lakh tonnes
the TNeGA would be the State’s Chief Data have been procured during the current Kharif
Officer. Marketing Season (KMS), which commenced
on October 1, 2021.
▪ The policy would apply to all data and
information created, generated, collected ▪ During the corresponding period of the
and archived using public funds of the previous KMS, the quantity procured was
government of Tamil Nadu directly or through about 23.86 lakh tonnes.
authorised agencies by various departments/ ▪ As in the past, the Delta region, comprising
organizations and autonomous bodies. the districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur,
▪ It will also apply to data that are recurring and Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruchi,
generated owing to automation, and to legacy Karur, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, Perambalur
data in non-machine-readable form. and Ariyalur, accounted for a majority of the
procured quantity. Its share of the overall
MoU signed for developing Credit figure was 81% .
Guarantee Scheme Portal: Procurement – then and now
▪ The Tamil Nadu government’s Department
of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises This Year’s
Procurement* Last Year
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

signed an agreement with the Credit

Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Region (in tonnes) Procurement
Enterprises (CGTMSE) for developing a portal Procurement* (in tonnes)
for implementing the Tamil Nadu Credit (in tonnes)
Guarantee Scheme (TNCGS). Delta 20,36,927 18,70,169
▪ TNCGS is expected to benefit micro, small and
Non –
medium companies. 4,12,470 4,20,972
Delta
▪ The Government has earmarked ₹100 crore
for this Scheme. Others 57,766 95,298
▪ An electronic platform will be developed for Total 25,07,163 23,86,439
its rollout in the next six months.
*As on March 14, as per Procurement done by the
▪ Meanwhile, a committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.
Government for suggesting measures to
revive micro, small and medium enterprises
submitted its report to Mr. Stalin.
78 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Jurisprudence since the Second Century ▪ Though there was no excess rainfall (as defined
in Tamil Nadu: by the Meteorological Department) during
▪ Supreme Court Judge V. Ramasubramanian the southwest monsoon, the State had 39 cm
against the normal of about 34 cm.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

spoke on the topic "Law and Justice in
Silappathikaram" ▪ Totally, the State received about 138 cm of
▪ Silappathikaram is the story of a woman rainfall during 2021 as against the average of
(Kannaki)'s struggle against injustice. 94 cm.
Everyone thinks that silappathikaram is Nuggets of History - Tamil Nadu in
related to one case.
Focus:
▪ But it involved three cases.
9 One is the theft case against Kovalan; Net State Domestic Product of TN:
9 The other is the case against the Pandya ▪ ₹2,25,106 is the per capita Net State Domestic
king by Kannaki; Product of Tamil Nadu (at current prices),
according to the Economic Survey for the year
9 The third case is the case of appealing to
2021-2022.
Kannaki by the deity Madurapathi not
to destroy Madurai saying that this has Village Panchayats in TN:
happened due to prenatal corruption. ▪ 12,525 village panchayats are there in Tamil
▪ Silapathikaram was written as a law book in Nadu, according to the Union Ministry of
2nd Century A.D. Panchayati Raj. The State has the eighth
▪ Silappathikaram is a book that shows that highest number of village panchayats.
there is an excellent and wonderful judiciary
in Tamil Nadu that we can never imagine. Pioneering Novelist:
▪ Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki Ammal, born in
▪ Criminal law is more commonly spoken of in
1901, was a pioneering woman novelist from
ancient literature than patent law.
Tamil Nadu, who wrote more than 100 novels
T.N.’s paddy coverage hits a between 1924 and 1950.
15 Year High: ▪ Some of her novels were made into movies.
▪ Tamil Nadu has achieved a record coverage of ▪ She edited Jaganmohini, a monthly magazine,
paddy this financial year (2021-22) as the total for more than three decades.
area stands at 21.65 lakh hectares.
First Woman in Cabinet:
▪ This marks the highest coverage of paddy in
the last 15 years. The previous high was 20 ▪ Maragatham Chandrasekhar, a prominent
Congress leader from Tamil Nadu, was the first
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

lakh hectares in 2015-16. Then, rice production

was about 74 lakh tonnes. woman from the State since Independence to
be part of the Union government.
▪ Compared with the previous year (2020-21),
paddy has been raised on nearly two lakh ▪ She was appointed Deputy Minister in the
more hectares this year. Health and Family Welfare Department in
1952.
▪ The Cauvery delta’s share is around 7.4
lakh hectares and the non-delta 14.223 lakh Taking Tirukkural abroad:
hectares. ▪ Constantine Joseph Beschi, the Italy-born
▪ One of the main reasons for improved Jesuit priest, known by his Tamil name
performance was that both southwest ( June- Veeramamunivar, was the first person
September) and northeast monsoons were to translate Tirukkural into a European
favourable to the State. language.
▪ He translated Arathupal and Porutpal of
Tirukkural into Latin in the early 18th Century.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 79

The Great Indian Survey: ▪ In 1971, it submitted its report suggesting

▪ The Great Trigonometrical Survey, carried out the three cadre systems — Tamil Nadu State
in the 19th Century to survey the subcontinent Police Service, Police executive service and
in full, began in Madras. police constabulary service.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Lieutenant-Colonel William Lambton began ▪ It recommended that the basic pay scales
the work on April 10, 1802. and dearness allowance be fixed for different
▪ A nearly eight-mile-long plain near St. Thomas categories on the principles of common
Mount was measured as a baseline. applicability to all public services and
separately compensated in the form of
Example of Cooperative promotions.
Federalism: ▪ Among its other recommendations were
▪ The Krishna water supply scheme, which sanctioning of a provident fund scheme for
has been catering to Chennai’s drinking the police force and the target of 80% housing.
water requirements for over 25 years, may be ▪ The Commission also recommended that
regarded as unique in the country. lockups at police stations be re-modelled
▪ A few days before the launch of the scheme in with better ventilation and sanitation.
September 1996, Duraimurugan, now Water
Resources Minister and then handling a bigger ▪ The next commission, headed by the former
portfolio of Public Works, emphasised that Chief Secretary, P. Sabanayagam and
“for the first time in the country”, a scheme, including the former DGP, K.R. Shenai, and
envisaging inter-State and inter-basin water four other members, was set up in May 1989
transfer exclusively for the drinking water by the Karunanidhi government to suggest
requirements of a city, had been executed. measures to improve the police department,
▪ On September 29, 1996, at an event at given its increasing demand and growth.
Tamaraipakkam, a little known village on ▪ It made a thorough study of the modules of
the border between Andhra Pradesh and other States and countries and presented its
Tamil Nadu, a manually operated shutter was report in August 1990.
lifted to let the water into Tamil Nadu in the ▪ It recommended measures to improve the
presence of the then Chief Ministers of the two quality of subordinate ranks by creating more
States, M. Karunanidhi and N. Chandrababu posts of head constables and sub-inspectors,
Naidu. and to carry out “scientific investigations”.
A Pioneer in Police Service ▪ The third commission, too, was formed when
Reforms: Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister in August
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

2006, with the former Home Secretary, R.

▪ When it comes to initiating reforms in the
Poornalingam, as chairman.
service conditions of the police force, Tamil
Nadu could boast of being a pioneer with the ▪ It dealt with the conditions of service,
establishment of the First Police Commission welfare, the powers and duties of the police
as early as November 1969 by the DMK force; crime detection and traffic regulation;
Government, headed by M. Karunanidhi. and modernisation of the organisation and
methods and investigation facilities.
▪ Currently, a Police Commission, headed by
C.T. Selvam, a retired judge of the Madras ▪ The only police commission established during
High Court. the AIADMK regime was in 2014, which was
headed by the former IAS officer, Sheela Priya.
▪ The first Commission, with the retired
Chief Secretary, R.A. Gopalaswamy, as its ▪ However, the Madras High Court (Madurai
chairperson. Bench) directed that it be reconstituted with
a retired judge as chairman. Accordingly, the
M.K. Stalin government has set up the Selvam
Commission.
80 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Incidentally, during the AIADMK government, ▪ Acknowledging that the enrolment ratio of girl
the Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Act, 2013, students from government schools in higher
was enacted. education was very low, Finance Minister said
the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ It entailed formation of a State Security
Commission (SSC), headed by the Home Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme
Minister, which among other things, was to had been transformed as the Moovalur
examine the functioning of the police force Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education
and submit Annual Reports. Assurance Scheme.
▪ The enactment came against the backdrop of ▪ The students will be eligible for this in addition
the Supreme Court’s directives in the Prakash to other scholarships.
Singh vs Union of India case to bring about
‘Perasiriyar Anbazhagan School
police reforms.
Development Scheme’:
▪ While the enactment is yet to trigger action on
▪ Under a new scheme titled ‘Perasiriyar
the ground, the Madras High Court recently
Anbazhagan School Development Scheme’
called for reconstitution of the SSC in line with
(named after former Education Minister and
the Supreme Court guidelines.
DMK stalwart K. Anbazhagan) to modernise
Tamil Nadu Budget 2022-23: government schools over the next five years,
▪ Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel 18,000 new classrooms will be built.
Thiaga Rajan on March 18 presented the State ▪ A sum of ₹7000 crore will be allocated for the
Budget for 2022-23, which focused on a fiscal phased implementation of the scheme over
consolidation path, without any populist the next five years, and ₹1300 crore will be
measures. allocated for the coming financial year.
▪ For the first time in seven years, the revenue ▪ Model schools will be established in 15 more
deficit (which implies the revenue expenditure districts in the coming financial year, and ₹125
exceeds revenue receipts) will be brought crore has been allocated for the purpose.
down by over ₹7000 crore (from 59,000 crore)
in 2021-22 and is expected to further reduce in Illam Thedi Kalvi:
the next Financial Year. ▪ Illam Thedi Kalvi, the flagship remedial
education programme to bridge the learning
Girls from Government Schools to get loss among children due to the closure of
₹1000 in Monthly Aid: schools during the pandemic, will continue
▪ The TN government made two major into the next year with a Budgetary allocation
announcements benefiting government school of ₹200 crore.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

students —it will provide a monthly assistance

‘Knowledge City’:
of ₹1000 to all girl students, who studied from
Class VI to XII in Government schools, till the ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will develop
completion of their Graduation or diploma; a ‘Knowledge City’ through international
and it will also bear the education expenses collaboration. It will have branches of world
of both boys and girls from these schools renowned universities with research and
if they secure admission to undergraduate development hubs, skill training centres and
programmes in premier institutions like IIT, knowledge based enterprises.
AIIMS and IISc. ▪ Over the next five years, a special scheme
▪ The monthly sum of ₹1000 will be remitted will be implemented by the Higher Education
into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts till Department to create new classrooms, hostels,
the uninterrupted completion of their laboratories and smart classrooms at a total
undergraduate degree, diploma and ITI cost of ₹1000 crore.
courses.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 81

▪ An amount of ₹204 crore had been ▪ For the manufacture of electronic products, two
allocated towards the reimbursement of clusters would be established at Pillaipakkam
fees to government school students who and Manallur with the financial assistance of
joined professional courses under the 7.5% the Union government.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

preferential allotment. ▪ An amount of ₹300 crore had been provided
▪ An allocation of ₹5668 crore had been made as capital subsidy for the micro, small and
to the Higher Education Department in the medium units in the next Fiscal as against
Budget. ₹280 crore allocated for the current Fiscal.
▪ Reserving 5% of all government divisible
48% jump in allocation for MSMEs:
procurements for the Scheduled Caste and
▪ The Tamil Nadu Budget for 2022-2023, Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs was another
presented, has hiked the allocation for the significant initiative.
Department of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises by almost 48%. Tech, startup hubs to be
▪ To help micro enterprise clusters, the Established:
government would launch a micro cluster ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will set up an
development Programme. iTamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) hub at a
▪ The Budget has proposed an allocation of ₹50 cost of ₹54.61 crore in Chennai.
crore for the development of 20 micro clusters, ▪ This centre will coordinate efforts to use
including one for artificial jewellery making technology to solve complex challenges in the
by Narikuruvars in Kancheepuram district, a State.
toy cluster in Madurai, a cookware cluster in ▪ The Government has formulated a
Tirunelveli and a cashew processing cluster in comprehensive strategy to develop a
Cuddalore. conducive startup ecosystem in the State, he
▪ Tamil Nadu Coir Business Development said.
Corporation will be set up in Coimbatore for ▪ The Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation
developing the coir sector to popularise value Mission (TANSIM) would set up Regional
added products made in Tamil Nadu, such as Startup Hubs in Erode, Madurai and
Geo Textiles and coir pith, in the domestic and Tirunelveli to ensure the development of the
export markets, and develop the coir industry startup ecosystem.
across the State.
▪ An iconic State Startup Hub Centre will be
▪ A special fund of ₹100 crore will be created established by the Tamil Nadu Industrial
to build the required public infrastructure for Development Corporation (TIDCO) at
export organisations. This fund will be used
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Nandambakkam, Chennai at an estimated

to set up skill centres, testing centres, export cost of ₹75 crore.
warehouses and inland container depots, with
contribution from industries and industry Botanical garden to be raised in
associations. Partnership with Kew Gardens:
▪ The Minister said a new footwear and leather ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will set up a
industry development policy would be botanical garden at a cost of ₹300 crore near
released. Chennai in partnership with Kew Gardens
▪ The government would open new industrial of London.
parks in Coimbatore, Perambalur, Madurai, ▪ The Government had decided to set up a
Vellore and Tiruvallur districts to promote Children’s Nature Park at an estimated
industrial development across the State. cost of ₹20 crore, which would house birds,
▪ Through these industrial parks, investments butterflies and animals by re-modelling the
worth ₹50,000 crore would be attracted. Guindy Children’s Park to generate awareness
about forests and wildlife among children.
82 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The government will set up a Forest State to form Human Resources Reforms
Commission to recommend policy changes Panel:
needed in forest conservation, expansion of ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government will constitute
green cover, involvement of tribal people in

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

a human resources reforms committee, which
forest management, prevention of will propose a road map for reforms in human
man-animal conflict, capacity building and resource management within six months,
modernisation initiatives in the Forest Minister for Finance and Human Resource
Department. Management Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said in
Green Fund: the Assembly.
▪ The State Government will set up a ‘Tamil ▪ To account for all movable and immovable
Nadu Green Climate Change Fund’ to fund assets of the government and monitor their
climate change initiatives, mitigation and utilisation, a new asset management system
greening projects. would be introduced and integrated with the
Integrated Financial and Human Resources
▪ The fund would mobilise necessary resources
Management System from the coming year.
from various sources, including development
finance institutions and international climate Rules to be Amended for 5% buy from
funds. SC/ST Units:
▪ For the conservation of Tamil Nadu’s State ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will amend the
animal, expansion of its habitat and to spread Transparency in Tenders Rules to implement
awareness among the public, the Government its decision (announced in the budget) to
will implement Project Nilgiri Tahr with an reserve 5% of all divisible procurement by
initial allocation of ₹10 crore. the government and its agencies for Tamil
Nadu based entrepreneurs belonging to the
Eco-tourism Sites:
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
▪ Eco-tourism sites would be developed
at Sethumadai in Coimbatore district, ▪ Indicating this, officials said that the decision
Manavanur and Thadiyan Kudisai in Dindigul would cover only “manufactured products”
district and and Yelagiri in Tirupattur district and not “trading products”.
in the public-private partnership mode.
▪ A sum of ₹849.21 crore has been allocated to
the Environment, Climate Change and Forests
Department in this Budget.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 83

Single-window system for Building Plan ▪ SMC is a 20-member body comprising

Approval: parents, teachers, local body representatives,
▪ A single window system will be implemented and educationalists.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

this year to expedite the issue of planning ▪ A parent should be the leader of the committee.
permissions and approvals for construction ▪ The panel has to meet once a month to discuss
of buildings by the Chennai Metropolitan various matters like student attendance,
Development Authority (CMDA), the potable water and toilet facilities, and
Directorate of Town and Country Planning, availability of other basic amenities.
the Greater Chennai Corporation, local
planning authorities and other local bodies. Science Centre opened at Govt. school
in PALLAVARAM:
Empowerment of Women Key to ▪ School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh
progress: Poyyamozhi inaugurated the Young Kalam
▪ The ‘Thaliku Thangam’ Scheme has been Discovery Science Center at the Maraimalai
changed to a Financial assistance scheme for Adigal Government Higher Secondary School
girls for the development of society through in Pallavaram.
Women Empowerment. ▪ The centre has been established by HCL
▪ Explaining the scheme, the finance minister Foundation (HCLF), the CSR arm of HCL
said, over the past four years, there has been Technologies, in partnership with Socio-
a major backlog in the ‘Thalliku Thangam’ Economic Development Trust.
scheme and thus, they had revamped the
structure to increase the percentage of girls Govt.’s Aim is to provide suitable Jobs
pursuing higher education in the State. for all: CM
▪ The government will create a new scheme ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said providing
to boost employment and entrepreneurial everyone a job that suits their qualification was
opportunities for women who have completed his government’s aim and his Government
their higher education. was improving school and college Education
towards achieving it.
Illam Thedi Kalvi vital to fill ▪ He also inaugurated the programme telecast
Learning Gap: by Kalvi TV for the benefit of candidates,
▪ Justifying the allocation of Rs 200 crore in the preparing for various Competitive Exams.
State Budget for ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’, School
Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram Bags
said the continuity of the education programme GI tag:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

is important considering the need for filling ▪ Nagaswaram made in Narasinghapettai

the learning gap of nearly two years brought in Thanjavur district has been granted the
about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Geographical Indication (GI) tag on the
▪ Taking part in a School Management application filed by the Thanjavur Musical
Committee (SMC) meeting the minister said, Instruments Workers Cooperative Cottage
“Learning gap is still a concern as per the Industrial Society Ltd.
reports as there were two years of Disruption ▪ Narasinghapettai, a village near
in Education.” Thiruvidaimarudur, has an inseparable place
▪ Distributing pamphlets on SMC’s role to in the world of Carnatic Music.
parents, he said, “Parents’ duties do not end ▪ It was N.G.N. Ranganatha Achari, who
once they send their wards to school. They designed the ‘pari’ nagaswaram, now used
need to know the functioning of the SMC. by nagaswaram players, at the request of
Parents should play an active role in the nagaswaram wizard Thiruvavaduthurai T.N.
committee. Rajarathinam Pillai.
84 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Nagaswaram players used the short ‘timiri’ of the National Institute of Mental Health and
nagaswaram before the ‘pari’ nagaswaram Neuro Science, and J. Kumutha of Saveetha
was made. Medical College Hospital.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The centre would be headed by Mohanasankar
TN treats over 33,000 Accident
Sivaprakasam of IIT Madras.
Victims under New Scheme in Three
Months: CM lays Foundation for
▪ Over 33,000 people who met with road Multispecialty Hospital:
accidents across the state have been treated ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 21 laid
under the Tamil Nadu Government’s Innuyir the foundation for a Multi Super Speciality
Nammai Kaakum 48 (Emergency care scheme) Hospital at the King Institute for Preventive
in the first three months of its implementation. Medicine and Research Centre, in Guindy.
▪ Chief Minister M K Stalin told the Assembly ▪ Mr. Stalin had announced on June 3 last
that 29,142 accident victims received treatment year, on the occasion of the birth anniversary
in government hospitals, while 4,105 people of former CM Karunanidhi, that a 500 bed
got admitted in various private hospitals multi-specialty hospital would come up in the
empaneled with the scheme. institute at an estimated cost of ₹250 crore.
▪ In all, 33,247 people have received treatment ▪ The six-storey structure is being built by the
under the scheme between December 18, 2021, Public Works Department on 4.89 acres, with
and March 18, 2022. a built up area of 51,429 square feet.
▪ The Chief Minister said the state has so far
‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ Revives
spent Rs 29.56 crore on this scheme and will
work with vigour to bring about a situation Hopes of Folk Artistes:
where there is no casualty due to road ▪ ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ helped to revive
accidents in the state. the hopes of hundreds of artistes like them.
▪ The ambitious scheme provides for free ▪ Several performances of folk art forms, such as
treatment up to Rs 1 lakh for the first 48 hours ‘karagam’ and ‘silambam’, were staged as part
after an accident in 609 hospitals of which 408 of the event organised by the Departments of
are from the private sector in the state. The Art and Culture and Tourism.
scheme also covers those from other states and
Traditional rice, Czech Oil and Honey
abroad.
will be available in Khadi Board:
▪ The scheme will be implemented for 12
▪ Traditional rice, Czech oil and honey are
months and will be integrated with the Chief
produced by the Khadi Board. All of these
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance

new items were unveiled on March 23.
scheme.
▪ Traditional rice varieties of Tamil Nadu
IITM sets up centre to Study such as Samba, Ratha Sally, Thuyamalli,
Human Brain: Chiragasamba, Karuppugavuni, Poonkar are
▪ The Indian Institute of Technology Madras the traditional rice varieties produced under
has launched a centre to generate and study the name "Khadi Parambariyam".
human brain data. ▪ Gingelly oil and groundnut oil produced from
▪ The centre plans to focus on high resolution the Czech made of Wagai wood under the
brain imaging and has an ambitious project name 'Khadi Newlife' and incense sticks with
to map human brain at the cellular and new fragrances like Jasmine and Rose have
connectivity level. been made.
▪ The clinical partners for the project are ▪ Along with Khadi Honey, Figs, walnuts and
medical teams led by three doctors — George dried fruits are mixed separately and packed
Varghese of CMC Vellore; Anita Mahadevan in glass bottles for sale.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 85

▪ The products produced by the Board is Famine in 1646:

designed to look at the quality of the products ▪ The first famine that ravaged Madras was in
on sale from the outside of the pocket. 1646, a few years after the establishment of the
city.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The pockets are designed to appeal to the
younger generation. ▪ It took nearly two years for the situation to
improve.
Nuggets of History - Tamil Nadu in
▪ The city faced at least two more famines before
Focus:
the end of the 17th century.
▪ 3605 sq km is the spread of very dense forests
in Tamil Nadu. It accounts for 2.8% of the The vibrant banking sector in Tamil
State’s Geographical Area. Nadu:
A long wait: ▪ The vibrant banking sector in Tamil Nadu has
played a vital role in the development of the
▪ Though the College of Engineering, Guindy,
State’s Economy.
came into existence as the Survey School in
1794, girl students were admitted for the first ▪ Homegrown banks in the public as well as
time to the institution only in 1940. private sectors, with over 100 years of unique
history, have made key contributions.
▪ Three women who entered the campus that
year went on to become the first women ▪ The idea of establishing one of the homegrown
Engineers in the country. banks, the Indian Bank, emerged from a
major financial crisis in 1906, which led to the
First semi-formal Bank: collapse of the Arbuthnot & Co. Krishnaswami
▪ The first semiformal bank to be set up by the Iyer, the lawyer who successfully handled the
East India Company was the Madras Bank Arbuthnot bankruptcy case, came up with
during 1682-83 by William Gyfford. the idea of starting an indigenous venture for
▪ The notification issued by the bank said it banking services.
would offer a 6% annual rate of interest for ▪ He founded the Indian Bank and requested
fixed deposits made for a term of at least six Annamalai and Ramasamy Chettiar to
months. mobilise deposits.
▪ The bank was incorporated on March 5, 1907,
Accurate Depiction:
with an authorised capital of ₹20 lakh and
▪ One of the earliest maps of Madras was commenced its business on August 15, 1907.
formed in the first decade of the 18th century
▪ Indian Overseas Bank was founded on
when Thomas Pitt was the Governor.
February 10, 1937, by Chidambaram Chettiyar
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ This map had an accurate depiction of the then with the main objective of specialising in
Black and White Towns, Peddanaickenpetta foreign exchange business.
and Muthialpetta.
▪ The bank started business simultaneously at
Industrial support: Karaikudi, Chennai and Rangoon in Burma
▪ The Thiru Vi Ka Industrial Estate at Guindy (now Myanmar), followed by a branch in
was the first such infrastructure to be created Penang, Malaysia.
with Government support in India to aid the ▪ Both Indian Bank and Indian Overseas Bank
Growth of small scale industries. were among the 14 major banks nationalised
▪ It was established when K. Kamaraj was the in 1969, and have overcome many challenges.
Chief Minister and R. Venkataraman was the ▪ Indian Bank posted a record loss of over ₹1000
Minister for Industries. crore in 1995-1996, hit by a loan scam.
▪ Allahabad Bank was amalgamated with Indian
Bank, and the bank commenced its operation
as an amalgamated entity on April 1, 2020.
86 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The State has been home to some of the older Baron Connemara, became Governor of the
private sector banks as well. Madras Presidency in 1886.
▪ One of the oldest such banks is Karur Vysya ▪ Unlike many of his predecessors and

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Bank (KVB) founded by M.A. Venkatarama successors, he interacted freely and cordially
Chettiar and Athi Krishna Chettiar in 1916 with people of all classes.
with a seed capital of ₹1.20 lakh with the aim ▪ In no time did he develop an admiration for
of supporting agriculture and trade in the Indian students and realised not many were
town of Karur. able to afford the books they needed.
Kulasekarapattinam to be on Global ▪ As part of his efforts to address this need, he
laid the foundation in March 1886 on Pantheon
Map:
Road in Egmore for, what he called, a “free
▪ A small town panchayat in the southern
public library”, which later came to be called
district of Thoothukudi, known for its religious
Connemara Public Library.
fervour during the Dussehra festival, will soon
be on the global scientific map. ▪ After the library was thrown open to the
public in December 1896, it became one of the
▪ Every year, lakhs of devotees descend on
sought after places of the city.
Kulasekarapattinam, the town of less than
10,000 residents, during the festival, to pay ▪ Anna Centenary Library (ACL) at
obeisance to the deity Muthaaramman. Kotturpuram regarded as one of the big
libraries in south Asia, the ACL, declared
▪ Many dress up as deities and various animals.
open by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi
The festival is celebrated with so much fervour
in September 2010.
that it is regarded second only to the Dussehra
celebrations in Mysore. Right time to safeguard State
▪ Indian Space Research Organisation Animal:
(ISRO) sets up its second spaceport at ▪ ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’, with an initial allocation
Kulasekarapattinam for launching satellites of ₹10 crore announced in the Tamil Nadu
weighing less than 500 kg on its Small Satellite Budget for conservation and expansion of
Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). habitat for the State animal, has come at a time
▪ Currently, the ISRO has two launchpads when its population has started declining in
at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, closer to parts of its highly fragmented range.
Chennai, from where it launches satellites ▪ It has been formulated as a comprehensive,
on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the long-term strategy to ensure the survival of
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius).
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The proposed launch pad will help to increase ▪ The montane Grasslands of the Anamalai
the performance of a launch vehicle as the Tiger Reserve (ATR) are estimated to be
location allows the rockets to go directly the second biggest habitat for the tahr after
southwards, unlike in Sriharikota where the Eravikulam National Park in Kerala.
launch vehicles have to go southeast first, ▪ ATR has an estimated population of 510
avoid Sri Lanka and take a turn after crossing individuals in 35 groups, a survey conducted
Sri Lanka. by researchers of the Nature Conservation
▪ The Kulasekarapattinam launchpad will also Foundation (NCF) in 2018 indicated.
enhance employment opportunities for the ▪ The Grass Hills National Park in ATR is home
local population and lead to an economic to the largest population, believed to be over
Growth in the region. 200 individuals.
The Tale of Two Libraries: ▪ “The Nilgiri tahr", listed as ‘endangered’ in the
▪ After a parliamentary career of 18 years in IUCN Red List.
Britain, Robert Bourke (1827-1902), later
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 87

2 more members for NonResident ▪ The school education department is actively

Tamils’ Welfare Board: involved in efforts to strengthen and expand
▪ A Bill adopted by the House amended the these centres.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Tamil Nadu Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare ▪ With this in mind, the Department of Education
Act, 2011 to alter the composition of the Tamil has assigned some tasks to regional-level
Nadu Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare Board advisory committees.
with the Chairman and members instead of ▪ Accordingly, the group should engage in
the Managing Director and Directors. activities to create Illam Thedi Kalvi centers.
▪ Besides increasing the strength of the Board ▪ At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen
from 13 to 15, the Bill, introduced by Minister the already functioning centers by integrating
for Minorities and Non Resident Tamils’ them. Learning activities should be focused on
Welfare Gingee K.S. Masthan, made the centers operating in all areas.
Commissioner of Rehabilitation and Welfare ▪ It is important to address the issues that
of Non-Resident Tamils the ex-officio Member volunteers encounter in the domain, by
Secretary of the Board. contacting those concerned.
Lighting up the Sky with Tamil in Dubai: About Illam Thedi Kalvi Scheme:
▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is on his ▪ The scheme was launched by the state
maiden visit to Dubai after assuming office, Government on 27 October 2021.
held discussions with Al Marri and Foreign ▪ Initially, the scheme was implemented in
Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi 12 districts—Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode,
to woo investments in various sectors in Tamil Kancheepuram, Kanniyakumari, Madurai,
Nadu. Nagapattinam, The Nilgiris, Thanjavur,
▪ Stalin inaugurated the Tamil Nadu stall on Tiruchy, and Villupuram.
March 25 at the expo’s Indian pavilion. ▪ However, the scheme was expanded to even
▪ Tamil Nadu Week is also being observed at Chennai and its neighbouring districts.
the Dubai Expo for one week from March 25 Tamil Nadu to Enact Legislation
to 31.
Governing Apartment Ownership:
▪ On the occasion, a beautiful video on the
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has decided
history, culture, and recent excavations in
to enact legislation by repealing the Tamil
Tamil Nadu was aired from Burj Khalifa, the
Nadu Apartment Ownership Act, 1994 and
tallest building (2217 feet) in the world.
has released the memorandum of legislation
Illam Thedi Kalvi Centres Expanding by inviting comments from the public.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Department of Education: ▪ The decision has been taken in view of the

▪ The Integrated School Education Department changing scenario in the real estate sector,
is actively working to strengthen and expand with the establishment of new bodies like the
the 'Illam Thedi Kalvi' centres in Tamil Nadu. Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
▪ The 'Illam Thedi Kalvi' program is being Stalin calls upon UAE to Invest in EV,
implemented in all the districts for one hour to Charging Stations:
one and a half hours daily with volunteers to
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 26
cover the learning gaps and losses of students
called upon the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
studying in schools from class one to class
to invest in electric vehicles and charging
eight due to the spread of corona epidemic.
stations, stating that the UAE businesses
▪ There are currently 1,79,356 Illam Thedi Kalvi were well-developed in those areas and their
centres operating. investment in Tamil Nadu could help bring a
paradigm shift.
88 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ The State Government also signed three of commercial business decisions and FDI
Agreements for ₹2,600 crore worth inflow depends on the availability of natural
Investments in Tamil Nadu. resources, market size, infrastructure, political
and general investment climate as well as

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Reiterating his government’s vision to make
Tamil Nadu a one trillion US$ economy, Mr. macroeconomic stability and the investment
Stalin said key factors like strong leadership, decision of foreign investors.
good governance, transparency and
‘Celebrate Forward Bloc Leader’s Birth
commitment had attracted many investors.
Centenary’:
▪ In the last ten months alone, Tamil Nadu has
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has been urged
signed 124 MoUs attracting investments of 8
to observe the birth centenary of late leader
billion US$, creating Employment for nearly
P.K. Mookiah Thevar as a State function and
two Lakh Persons.
to name a school at his native place after him.
▪ The Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu had
▪ The late Mookiah Thevar was elected to the
Skilled Workers in Abundance.
State Legislative Assembly in the first election
Thirukkural National Book from Periyakulam and later from Usilampatti
Conference: in 1957, 1962, 1967, 1971 and 1977 Assembly
▪ Tamil Indian Union Official Language, elections as a Forward Bloc candidate.
Thirukkural National Book Conference was Varumun Kappom:
held at Chennai Tamil Sangam on March 27.
▪ Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated
▪ President of the Delhi All India Tamil Union smart classrooms renovated at a cost of Rs
Ira, Mukundan chaired the conference. 12.36 lakh with contribution from World
▪ Perungaviko VM Sethuraman, Pulavar Vision and Varumun Kappom health camps
Sundararasan, Pavalar Ganapathy, Puthuvai at Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in
Tamil Sangam President Prof. Muthu, Saidapet on March 28.
VMSThiruvalluvar Kavignar Ilamaran and ▪ The Varumun Kappom programme is being
others were present. implemented to provide free specialised
▪ Speaking on the occasion, Ira Mukundan medical check-ups to the public for early
said, “We will extend all possible assistance detection and treatment of diseases.
to hold the conference in Delhi and arrange About Varumun Kappom:
to meet the Prime Minister and the Union ▪ Chief minister M K Stalin on September 29
Minister of Education to make a request to the 2021 relaunched the ‘Varumun Kappom’
Central Government to declare Thirukural as (preventive healthcare) scheme as
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

a National Book." ‘Kalaignarin Varumun Kappom’ at a function

at Vazhapadi, Salem.
FDI inflow into Tamil Nadu up 41.5% in
April-December 2021: ▪ The Varumun Kappom scheme was first
launched by former chief minister M
▪ The foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tamil
Karunanidhi on December 30 2006 in
Nadu grew about 41.5% to ₹17,696 crore
Poonamallee.
(about $2.4 billion) in April-December 2021
from ₹12,504 crore (about $1.7 billion) in the ▪ The camps would address dental, ENT,
same period of 2020 (when the first wave of stomach, intestine, high blood pressure,
COVID19 started). diphtheria, bone and joint, kidney, heart, and
psychiatric related issues.
▪ Tamil Nadu’s share in the total FDI in the
country increased to 5% from 4%. ▪ The scheme would be linked to ‘Makkalai
Thedi Maruthuvam’ (taking medicines to
▪ Tamil Nadu has the fifth Highest Share,
people’s doorstep) scheme to help the newly-
after Maharashtra (26%), Karnataka (23%),
identified patients get medicines at their
Gujarat (21%) and Delhi (13%). FDI is a matter
doorsteps.
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 89

Flood Relief to TN by Centre: ▪ The Tamil Nadu e-governance Agency

▪ The Centre has allotted ₹352.85 crore to Tamil (TNeGA) is a key player in the exercise.
Nadu as relief for flood that affected the State ▪ Efforts are on to link the PDS beneficiaries’
in 2021.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

database with live registers of death.
▪ Tamil Nadu had been allotted ₹1088 crore
Govt. mulling Easing of
under the State Disaster Response Fund
(SDRF) in 2021-22. Restrictions in Private Forests:
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government is mulling
LuLu Group to Invest ₹3500 crore in T.N. easing of restrictions that may allow felling of
for Three Projects: trees in private forests, spread within an area
▪ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of five acres.
was signed between the Tamil Nadu ▪ Informed sources said State Forest Minister
government and LuLu Group in the presence K. Ramachandran would, hold a meeting
of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Abu Dhabi to with the Chief Wildlife Warden, heads of
implement three major projects in the State at departments and officials to discuss, among
a total investment of ₹3500 crore. other things, whether private lands measuring
▪ While Two Malls are to come up at a total less than five acres could be exempted from
investment of ₹2500 crore, a food processing the applicability of provisions of the Tamil
project is to be implemented at an investment Nadu Preservation of Private Forests (TNPPF)
of ₹1000 crore. Act, 1949.
▪ About 5000 people are expected to get ▪ The original legislation was enacted to prevent
Employment in these projects. the destruction of “forests”, which lie in
private lands.
Over two lakh ration cards cancelled in
the last one year: Kannagi Art District and Festival 2022:
▪ Over two lakh ration cards, accounting for ▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation launched
approximately 10 lakh beneficiaries of the the Kannagi Art District and Art Festival for
public distribution system (PDS), have been 2022 in Sholinganallur on March 28.
struck off from official records since the Drive Launched to Reform First Time
beginning of 2021.
Offenders:
▪ Broadly, there are only two reasons — deaths
▪ The Greater Chennai City Police on March 28
and out-migration.
launched a pilot project called “PARAVAI”
▪ A majority of the beneficiaries have died with (Personality Attitude Reformation
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

the rest moving out of Tamil Nadu. Assistance Venture Affirming Identity) for
▪ The previous high with regard to the reforming young first-time offenders and their
cancellation of ration cards was in 2018 when rehabilitation and reintegration.
about 1.63 lakh cards were cancelled. ▪ This project has been initiated by the Greater
▪ At that time, a drive was carried out to identify Chennai City Police in association with the
duplicate cards following the adoption of the Prisons and Correctional Services Department,
system of ‘smart family cards’ in April 2017. Social Defense Department, and the Tamil
▪ Then, end-to-end computerization and seeding Nadu State Legal Services Authority being
of Aadhaar numbers in PDS beneficiaries’ stakeholders.
database were carried out, all of which led to ▪ Aimed at reducing and preventing recidivism
the card cancellation. and re-arrest, the project is being implemented
▪ This time, as part of the ‘data purity’ project, along with PRISM, an NGO.
the authorities have been coordinating
closely with those officials who have the data
regarding the death of individuals.
90 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

▪ Mr. Prakash recalled a pilot project which was ▪ The health council is held only once a year.
launched for the rehabilitation of first-time ▪ In the first phase, 14 districts will participate
petty offenders aged 18-24 and lodged in the in the Health Council and by 2024, 38 districts
Saidapet subjail under the name PATTAM

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

will be participating.
(Personality and attitude transformation ▪ The Chief Minister is acting as the Chairman
through therapeutic assistance and of the State Health Council.
management).
▪ The World Bank has approved Rs 1,995 crore
▪ He said the face of the police had to change of which Rs 955 crore has been funded so far.
and they should have paternal and maternal
roles while handling young offenders. Change of Portfolios of Ministers:
▪ In a significant change, Chief Minister M.K.
MoUs for ₹6100 Cr. Investment signed
Stalin on March 29 divested Transport
during UAE Visit: Minister R.S. Rajakannappan of his portfolio
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin March 29 said and made him the Minister for Backward
memoranda of understanding with six major Classes Welfare.
companies for investments to the tune of ₹6100
▪ Earlier this year, the subject, airport, handled
crore in Tamil Nadu were signed during his
by him was given to Minister for Industries
visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Thangam Thennarasu.
▪ S.S. Sivasankar, who held the portfolio of
Backward Classes Welfare, has been appointed
as the Transport Minister.

Scheme for Pregnant Mothers:

▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has been
implementing various schemes for pregnant
mothers under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy
Maternity Financial Assistance Scheme, such
as Maternity and Child Welfare Assurance
Amazon’s biggest office in T.N. opens in Centers and Seemang Centers.
Chennai: ▪ Following this, for the first time in India, an
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated autodelfia Maternal Analyzer, a medical
Amazon’s biggest office in Tamil Nadu at a device specially developed from abroad, has
function held in Chennai on March 24. been set up at the State Hospital, Government
▪ The office, housed in the World Trade Centre Multipurpose High Specialty Hospital.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

on the information technology corridor of

Rajiv Gandhi Salai at Perungudi, will have
Two Sires Shortlisted for New
18 floors and accommodate 6000 workers. Airport in TN:
▪ The state-of-the-art building will also house the ▪ Two sites — Pannur and Parandur — have
research and development team of Amazon’s been shortlisted by Airports Authority of
Echo device. India for the Chennai city’s second airport and
referred to the State Government recently.
Stalin inaugurates State Health Council:
Panel to Monitor Finance Related Cases:
▪ Chief Minister M K Stalinon March 30
inaugurated the State Health Council under the ▪ The State government has constituted
Tamil Nadu Health Rehabilitation Program at a Litigation Advisory and Oversight
the Government Omandurar Multi-speciality Committee (LAOC) to monitor all high risk
Hospital in Chennai. litigations related to taxation, land acquisition,
Government tenders and so on to ensure
that public interest was effectively protected
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 91

and the financial resources accrue to the ▪ The agriculture budget for 2022-23 increased
government without delay. the allocation for agriculture and allied sectors
▪ The committee has been constituted following to ₹33,007.68 crore from the ₹32,775.78 crore
in the revised estimate for 2021-22.

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan’s
announcement made on the floor of the ▪ The government will take steps to achieve 126
Legislative Assembly during the revised lakh tonnes of grain production.
Budget speech for 2021-22 that he would put ▪ He said crop diversification was being
in place a Litigation Risk Management System encouraged to deal with climate change.
(LRMS) to be overseen by retired judges and ▪ Special schemes will be implemented to
legal experts. popularise the cultivation of millets and pulses
▪ Retired judge of Punjab and Haryana High as an alternative to water-intensive crops.
Court K. Kannan and advocates Joseph ▪ Schemes for establishing suitable water
Prabhakar, K. Ravi and V. Lakshminarayanan harvesting structures and ground water
have been inducted into the LAOC as legal recharge systems are introduced in the
experts. Agriculture Budget for increasing production
▪ The committee would also comprise of the in dry land. All these components will be taken
Finance Secretary and Law Secretary as official into account for agriculture development and
members. this Government will take steps to achieve 126
▪ The LAOC would offer strategic guidance lakh MT of food grains production in 2022-23.
to the Finance Department as well as the
Administrative Department concerned Kalaignarin All Village Integrated
regarding the high risk cases. Agriculture Development
▪ LRMS would also create a mechanism for Programme:
consultation between the Finance Department, ▪ The budget allocated ₹300 crore for the
the LAOC and the office of the Advocate Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture
General and implementing their suggestions. Development Programme, which was
▪ Defining ‘high risk litigation,’ the G.O. states announced in the first agriculture budget.
that all taxation cases where the claim against ▪ He said the main objective was to bring about
an individual or entity was over ₹100 crore, holistic development in all village panchayats.
cases in which a judicial decision could cause ▪ The project was designed to be implemented
a revenue loss of ₹500 crore or more and cases every year in village panchayats identified
related to tenders where the procurement under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi
value was more than ₹1000 crore would fall Thittam.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

under the definition. ▪ It is being implemented by the Department of

▪ It also clarifies that all Government Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.
departments, public sector undertakings, ▪ During the First Year, this project is being
statutory boards, universities, municipal implemented in 1997 village panchayats of
corporations and other local bodies would be Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam
covered under LRMS. as these two projects are converged and
implemented parallely.
Tamil Nadu DMK Government's Second
Agricultural Budget: ▪ During the year 2022-23, the scheme will
be implemented at an outlay of Rs.300 crore
▪ Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
in 3,204 village panchayats converged with
M.R.K. Panneerselvam on March 19 presented
Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam.
the DMK government’s second agriculture
budget, which focused on integrated
development, besides allocating funds for
various schemes.
92 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Chief Minister’s Dry Land Vermicompost, Jeevamirtham etc.,

Development Mission: ▪ Distribution of Tarpaulin to Farmers:
▪ This dryland mission will be implemented ▪ To safeguard the harvested produce from

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

at a total outlay of Rs.132 crore, covering an natural disasters and also for utilizing as
area of 7.5 Lakh acre in 3,000 dryland clusters drying yard, Tarpaulins will be provided to
to support the dryland farmers to take up 60,000 farmers at subsidized cost at an outlay
successful cultivation of dryland crops. of Rs.5 crore.
▪ Agricultural inputs and seeds will be provided Coconut Development Scheme:
at subsidized cost. ▪ In order to augment productivity of Coconut,
▪ Priority will be given to the farmers in villages to increase oil content and to prevent button
where the “Kalaignarin All Village Integrated shedding, Coconut Micro Nutrient mixture,
Agriculture Development Programme” is green manure seeds, Bio-Fertilizers and Borax
being implemented. will be distributed at subsidy. This Scheme
will be implemented at an outlay of Rs.9 crore.
Crop Insurance: ▪ Nel Jeyaraman’s Traditional Paddy Varieties
▪ For implementing the crop insurance Conservation Mission:
scheme continuously during 2022-23, the
▪ The mission is being implemented in order
State Government has allocated an amount
to preserve and restore the traditional paddy
of Rs.2,399 crore as state share of premium
varieties in Tamil Nadu. During 2022-23, the
subsidy.
Traditional Paddy varieties will be cultivated
State Agriculture Development Scheme: in 200 acres in the State Seed Farms and
▪ To fulfill the farmers need and increase distributed at subsidy to 20,000 farmers at an
their income with various components, this outlay of Rs.75 Lakh.
Government will introduce a new Scheme Special Package of Assistance for
namely State Agricultural Development Alternative Crops during Kuruvai
Scheme, this year with a total allocation Season:
of Rs.71 crore. This will be implemented ▪ Special Package will be provided to encourage
by “Kalaignarin All Village Integrated the farmers to take up alternative crops such as
Agriculture Development Programme”. Millets, Pulses and Oilseeds in Kar, Kuruvai,
▪ This scheme includes the following key Sornavari season in an extent of 66,000 acres at
features. an outlay of Rs.10 crore.
Promotion of Organic Farming: Rice Fallow Pulses:
▪ As announced in the last year Agriculture ▪ In order to encourage the cultivation of Rice
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Budget, the State Government has initiated Fallow pulses with the additional production
establishment of Nammazhvar Organic of 13,000 MT of Pulses, an amount of Rs.5 crore
Farming Research Institute for encouraging will be allocated.
the farmers who are interested in Organic New technique on propagation of Paddy
farming. seedlings
▪ Now, during 2022-23, a sum of Rs.4 crore ▪ In pro-tray method will be demonstrated to
has been allocated for production of Organic increase the 12 productivity of Paddy crop.
produces in food grains, vegetables, fruits for ▪ Protray seedling will be produced in the State
development of immunity to lead a healthier Seed Farm in Tirukkadaiyur of Mayiladuthurai
life. District in an area of 250 acres.
▪ Financial assistance at the rate of Rs.1 Lakh
per group will be extended to 100 farmers
and Farmer producer who are interested in
production and sale of organic inputs like
Pulses Seeds will be distributed for Redgram Zone will be formed comprising
cultivation: Krishnagri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai and
▪ As bund crop, in an area of 5 lakh acres to Salem districts.
control the pests naturally and to get additional ▪ This scheme will be implemented at an outlay
Income. of Rs.60 crore, during 2022-23, with Union and
▪ This Scheme will be implemented with an State Government fund.
allocation of Rs.3 crore from State fund.
Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission:
Zinc Sulphate and Gypsum:
▪ The “Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission”
▪ will be provided at subsidized cost to increase
will be implemented at an outlay of Rs.15.32
the paddy productivity covering an area of 1
crore with Union and State Government fund,
Lakh acre each at an outlay of Rs.5 crore.
for enhancing the Cotton yield during 2022-
Seed Distribution: 23. Cultivation of organic cotton will also be
▪ Tamil Nadu State Seed Development Agency encouraged.
(TANSEDA) will Produce 30,000 MTs of
certified seeds of Paddy, Pulses and Oilseeds Oilseeds Area and Production
and distribute to farmers during the year 2022- Development Scheme:
23. ▪ The scheme is envisioned to implement the
Making Youth into Agri–entrepreneurs: long term vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister
▪ Financial assistance will be provided at the to increase the productivity of Sunflower and
rate of Rs.1 Lakh each to the 200 unemployed to bring Tamil Nadu in the top three States in
Agriculture or Horticulture or Agricultural terms of Production.
Engineering graduates for establishing ▪ The project will be implemented
Agri clinic or Agro based activities with the in Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar,
financial allocation of Rs.2 crore. Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Karur, Dindigul
and Ariyalur districts to attain enhancement
Tamil Nadu Millet Mission:
in area, Production and Productivity of
▪ To enhance millet production, Two Millets
Sunflower, Groundnut, Sesame and Castor
Special Zones will be formed covering
crops at an outlay of Rs.28.50 crore under
the districts of Tiruvannamalai, Salem,
Union and State Government fund.
Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore,
Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Vellore districts Digital Agriculture:
as one zone and Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, ▪ Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Madurai, Tenkasi, Ramnathapuram, M.R.K. Panneerselvam announced a scheme
Sivagangai, Theni, Trichy, Karur, Dindigul
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for digital agriculture with an allocation of

Ariyalur and Perambalur as the second zone. ₹8 crore.
▪ To create awareness on the importance of ▪ All features, covering seed to yield, can be
millet nutrition among farmers, Entrepreneurs, obtained through the ‘Uzhavan’ mobile
Farmer Producer Organizations, Women Self application, he said.
Help Groups, voluntary organizations and
▪ Individual farm-based crop plans, survey
consumers, "Millet Festivals" will be organized
numbers and subdivisions of all villages will
at the State and District levels.
be geotagged and super imposed with details
▪ This scheme will be implemented with a total of landowners’ basic information, soil health
allocation of Rs.92 crore from Union and State and the crops grown.
Government fund.
▪ The seven agro-climatic zones are divided
Pulses Development Scheme: into 1,330 micro agro-climatic zones to
▪ In order to achieve self-sufficiency in Pulses formulate profitable crop plans based on
production, Red gram production and factors of production.
cultivation of Pulses in fallow lands, a Special
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▪ Artificial intelligence will be applied to in Dharmapuri, Nagapattinam, Vellore and

monitor crops for pest and disease and Tirupattur districts at a cost of ₹10 crore.
instantaneous management measures will be ▪ He said one Uzhavar Sandhai in each district
delivered to farmers through SMS advisories

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would be allowed to function in the evening
in coordination with the Tamil Nadu for sale of millets and pulses.
e-Governance Agency and the Tamil Nadu ▪ He said the government would establish
Agricultural University. wholesale Vegetable market complexes in
▪ In coordination with the Tamil Nadu Theni, Coimbatore and Kanniyakumari
Agricultural University and the Tamil Nadu through the private public partnership (PPP)
Drone Corporation, farmers will be trained at mode.
seven farmers’ training centres in the use of ▪ He said the government would set up
drones in spraying pesticide and surveying an industrial estate for agro-products in
the stages of crops. Tiruvarur.
▪ Internet of Things will be adopted in State
seed farms and State horticultural farms for Golden Bean –Increase Area under
automated irrigation and fertigation (the Soya Bean:
application of fertilizers with irrigation water). ▪ With the aim to increase the area under short
Farmers will be trained in the use of this new duration Soybean, an amount of Rs.1.20
digital technology. crore will be allocated under Union and
▪ A portal, ‘Tamil Mann Valam’, will be State Government fund for implementation
launched in coordination with the Tamil in Thanjavur, Salem, Tiruvallur, Tirunelveli,
Nadu Agricultural University. It will enable Villupuram and Cuddalore Districts.
farmers to get the soil fertility status of their
land, survey numberwise, and to print the soil New Soil Testing Laboratory:
health cards by themselves. ▪ A new Soil Testing Laboratory will be
established during 2022-23, at a budget outlay
Gene pool will be created to Preserve of Rs.75 lakh for the benefit of farmers in newly
Indigenous Crops: formed Mayiladuthurai District.
▪ Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister
₹381 cr. to be used to develop Food
M.R.K. Panneerselvam announced the creation
of a gene pool of indigenous varieties of fruits, Parks:
vegetables and medicinal plants once widely ▪ Adequate infrastructure would be established
cultivated in Tamil Nadu. in three food parks through the State
Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil
▪ Mr. Panneerselvam also announced that the
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Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) at an estimated cost

government’s plan to create a gene pool of
of ₹381.38 crore.
different kinds of spices collected from across
the country. ▪ The three food parks, registered by SIPCOT to
be established on 451 acres of land at Theni,
▪ In the first phase, the gene pool will be created
Tindivanam (ViIllupuram), Manapparai
for important species such as pepper and
(Tiruchirapalli) taluks, have been declared
nutmeg in the State’s horticulture farms in
‘Mega Food Parks’ by the Centre.
the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Kolli Hills, Yercaud,
Courtallam and Javvadu Hill areas. ▪ He also said the government would provide
mobile phone based automatic pump
▪ The allocation for the project is ₹1 crore.
controller to farmers in all districts.
Besides announcing the renovation of Uzhavar
Sandhais with digital infrastructure, electronic ▪ As much as 50% subsidy assistance, up to
price display board and public address system a maximum of ₹5,000 per unit, would be
at a cost of ₹15 crore, the Minister said four provided for this scheme.
new Uzhavar Sandhais would be established
 TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 95

▪ The Minister said 3,000 standalone solar- ▪ The scheme will be implemented under Union
powered pumping systems, up to a capacity and State Government fund at an outlay of
of 10 horsepower, would be installed with 70% Rs.20 crore for 2,000 farmers.
subsidy assistance at an outlay of ₹5.34 crore

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in 2022-23. Formation of Honey Clusters:
▪ Green house type 145 solar drying units would ▪ 37 honey bee clusters will be formed to promote
be installed during 2022-23 with 40% subsidy beekeeping at a financial outlay of Rs.8.58 crore
assistance for an amount of ₹3 crore. by the Union and State Government Fund.
▪ Bee colonies and equipment manufacturing
Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Mission: centres will be established for distribution
▪ “Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Mission” of quality honey bee colonies and its
will be implemented by Department of equipment to farmers thereby promoting new
Horticulture on a cluster based approach with entrepreneurs.
two clusters in each district with a cluster size ▪ A special emphasis will be given to women
of 50 ha. farmers in coordination with the Departments
▪ It is programmed to undertake the promotional of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Rural
activities such as creating awareness on Development, Khadi and Village Industries.
cultivation practices through special trainings ▪ To augment the income of Self-Help Groups,
and exposure visit, giving information on soil 3,350 Bee Keeping units will be created under
health, advice on bio-fertilizer production Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission
units and distribution of inputs, creation during 2022-23 at a cost of Rs.1.67 Crore.
of residual analytical laboratory for testing
the produces, registering with Organic Establishment of Garden in
Certification Department etc., at an outlay of Government Girls Hostel:
Rs.30 crore with Union and State Government ▪ To help Girl students to identify fruits,
fund. vegetable and herbal plants, their importance,
▪ Also, cattle shed and vermi compost unit cultivation methods and its nutritional value,
will be set up in coordination with Rural gardens will be established with Fruits,
Development Department. Vegetables and Medicinal plants in Girls
Hostels all over Tamil Nadu.
Promoting Inter-crop cultivation:
▪ This project will be implemented in 200 Girls
▪ To promote inter-cropping in coconut, mango, Hostels at an outlay of Rs.20 lakh under
guava and banana, “Inter-crop Kits“ will State Government fund in which kits valued
be given to small and marginal farmers for Rs.10,000/- per kit comprising Fruit seedlings,
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covering an area of 38,000 acre at an outlay of Medicinal plants, Coconut seedlings, vegetable
Rs.27.51 crore. seeds garden tools and other inputs will be
Improving livelihood of Scheduled distributed at full subsidy.
Caste, Scheduled Tribe farmers through Device to put Palmyra within reach of
micro irrigation: climbers:
▪ The farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes ▪ The State Government has encouraged
and Scheduled Tribes who have applied for inventing palmyra climbing devices in order
electricity connection under tatkal scheme to make climbing the tall a risk-free affair.
under the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing ▪ The best inventor of palmyra climbing devices
Development Corporation (TAHDCO) will will be awarded.
be identified and given subsidy for Borewells,
▪ A 75 per cent subsidy for tree climbing
Motor Pump and installation of Micro
equipment, value addition units for making
irrigation for improving the livelihood of
palm jaggery and palm candy, training for 250
farmers.
farmers on palm jaggery production and 100
96 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022) Vetrii IAS Study Circle

women on leaf handicrafts, were among the

major announcements concerning the State
tree.

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▪ The minister said 25 lakh palm seedlings will
be planted this year as part of the Palmyrah
Development Mission.

Include Narikuravars on ST list:

▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Prime
Minister Narendra Modi to move Narikuravar
and Kuruvikarar community from the Most
Backward Classes list to the Scheduled Tribes
(ST) category in Tamil Nadu.
▪ He told the Prime Minister that the director
of Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in his
letter dated April 30, 2013, said the Registrar
General of India had agreed to the proposal
for including “Narikoravan grouped with
Kuruvikkaran community” into the ST list of
Tamil Nadu.
▪ Stalin also pointed out that expert panels like
the Lokur Committee and a Joint-Committee of
Parliament had also recommended inclusion
of this community in the ST category in 1965
and 1967 respectively.
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