07-06-23 Daily-Kerala-KPSC Current Affairs

The state, once again, is staring at a major financial crisis after the Centre slashed Kerala’sborrowingcapacity by almost Rs 8,000 crore for the ongoing financial year.

With the Centre’s latest decision, the state can borrow only a maximum of Rs 15,390 crore for the first nine months of the ongoing financial year. Kerala has already borrowed Rs 2,000 crore for disbursing salaries and pensions, which forms the state’s biggest expenses. In effect, the state can borrow only up to Rs 13,390 crore for the stated period for meeting various expenses. Last year, the state was allowed to borrow Rs 23,000 crore.

The state has been maintaining that the Centre’s discriminatory approach towards Kerala has been smothering the state. In February this year, the state had received a communique from the Centre that its borrowing limit for the last quarter of the last financial year has been limited to Rs 937 crore, by cutting down the expected limit by Rs 2,700 crore. Though the norms say that the state can borrow up to a maximum of 3% of the GDP, the Centre had also included the Resources raised through KIIFB and the Kerala social security pension limited under the state’s borrowings, thereby reducing the limit of state’s further borrowing capacity.

As per article 293 (3) of the Constitution, the state cannot, without the Union Government‘s Consent, raise any loan if there is still any outstanding part of a loan which has been made to the state by the Centre or in respect of which a guarantee has been given by the Centre.

Punjab University emerged as the overall champions once again at the Khelo India University Games, reclaiming their title after missing out in the previous edition.

The Games were hosted in four cities of Uttar Pradesh, namely Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Gautambuddh Nagar, with the Shooting competition taking place in Delhi. Additionally, Water Sports made its debut at the Games, featuring Rowing competitions in Gorakhpur.

To promote womens day, MTDC will offer a 50% DISCOUNT on online bookings for Women tourists from March 1 to 8 every year.

The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and are collaborating on a new initiative called the National Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR). This mission aims to identify and develop emerging technologies in the power sector within and outside of India.

Its goal is to promote indigenous research, development, and demonstration of the latest technologies in the power sector, making India a global manufacturing hub. The funding for this mission will come from the Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Central Public Sector Enterprises, with additional Resources allocated from the Indian governments budget if necessary

Its duties include appointing the Secretary-General, on the recommendation of the Security Council, and approving the Organisations annual budget. Francis said he would prioritise encouraging and facilitating meaningful dialogue.