Henley Passport Index 2023: The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It is published by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team. Singapore has topped the passport rankings with visa-free access to 192 global destinations. With visa-free access to 190 destinations, three European countries – Germany, Italy and Spain – share the second rank on the list. With 101, 102 and 103 ranks respectively, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are the world’s weakest passports. Pakistan is on the 100th spot. India has climbed seven places to 80th rank from 87 last year.
Bhoomi Samman Awards: The 9 state Secretaries and 68 District Collectors were presented with “Bhoomi Samman awards who have excelled in achieving saturation of the core components of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). It aims to acknowledge and encourage outstanding performance in the implementation of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). Madhya Pradesh has secured the first position in the field of Digital India Land Records modernization in the country.15 districts of Madhya Pradesh have been awarded Platinum Grading for 100 per cent achievement in all the components of the Digital India Land Records Management Programme. It is a fine example of Centre-State cooperative federalism based on trust and partnership, as the grading system is largely based on reports and inputs of the States/UTs in the core components of computerization and digitization of land records.
Credit Guarantee Scheme: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the Credit Guarantee Scheme under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to strengthen the credit delivery system and facilitate the smooth flow of credit to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) engaged in Livestock sector without hassles of collateral security. For operationalizing the scheme, DAHD has established a Credit Guarantee Fund Trust of Rs. 750.00 crores, which will provide credit guarantee coverage for up to 25% of the credit facilities extended to the MSMEs by eligible lending institutions. It facilitates access to finance for the un-served and under-served livestock sector, making availability of financial assistance from lenders to mainly first-generation entrepreneurs and underprivileged sections of society, who lack collateral security for supporting their ventures.
Sovereign Green Bonds: The Government of India is expected to issue sovereign green bonds in the second half of the current financial year as part of the overall market borrowing programme. These are bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or alliances and corporates. Aim: The proceeds of the bonds are utilised for projects classified as environmentally sustainable. These are issued with longer maturity periods.
In India, the framework for the sovereign green bond was issued by the government on November 9, 2022.
