1) ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) Programme: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India launched the ‘A-HELP’ programme at Jharkhand.
- MoU was signed between DAHD and National Rural Livelihoods Mission under the Ministry of Rural Development to launch the programme.
- Aims to empower women by engaging them as trained agents who contribute significantly to disease control, animal tagging, and livestock insurance.
- It enhances access to veterinary services at the farmer’s doorstep and empowers Pashu Sakhis
2) IRDAI issued Bima Vahak guidelines (BHG): The guidelines aims to establish women centric distribution channel that focuses on enhancing insurance inclusion and awareness in every village.
- It also aims to improve the accessibility and availability of insurance in every nook and corner of the country.
- The scope of work of Bima Vahaks, besides creating awareness of insurance in villages, is likely to range from filling proposal forms, facilitating KYC process for customers, issuance of insurance policies, etc.
- It is a part of IRDAI’s strategy to achieve its ‘Insurance for All goal’.
3) UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Russia fails to rejoin UNHRC and 15 new countries including Albania, Brazil, China, France, Japan, were elected to serve.
- UNHRC was created in 2006 as an intergovernmental body within the UN, responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.
- It is made up of 47 Members, elected by the UN General Assembly through direct and secret ballot.
- The Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution and Seats are distributed among 5 regions.
- Selected Members serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
- India is currently a council member.
4) Natural Gas demand on the rise: According to the International Energy Agency report, India’s natural gas demand is to rise by 4% in 2023 and rise at an average annual rate of over 8 per cent till 2026.
- The growth in demand will be primarily supported by the power, petrochemical and fertiliser sectors.
- The government aims to raise the share of gas in its energy consumption mix to 15 per cent by 2030.
- The country currently imports about 50 per cent of its gas requirements.
