UTTAR PRADESH
Uttar Pradesh government targetting MSME loans worth Rs 62,000 cr in 2019-20
Uttar Pradesh government to facilitate business loans worth more than Rs 62,000 crore to the beleaguered micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in the current financial year 2019-20. The figure of Rs 62,000 crore is 20 percent higher than the target of Rs 51,808 crore in MSME lending fixed for commercial banks in UP for 2019-20. The commercial banks in the UP sector to the tune of Rs 40,750 crore is more than 78 percent of the targetted figure of Rs 51,808 crore. In 2018-19, the corresponding sectoral advances during the same period stood at Rs 29,782 crores compared to the target of Rs 41,401 crore, thus achieving 72 percent of the annual goal.
The commercial banks to hike their annual MSME credit target in UP by at least 20 percent to more than Rs 62,000 crore. The ODOP scheme aimed at reviving UP’s indigenous industries through financial, marketing, and training support with the help of banks, knowledge partners, and private marketing entities, including eCommerce. The MSME sector accounted for 80 percent of the state’s exports worth Rs 1.14 trillion in 2018-19. MSMEs generate nearly 60 percent of the annual industrial output and rank second after agriculture in the highest employment generation. The MSME does not have access to institutional capital, and they largely depend upon the unorganized players for meeting their financial needs. The UP government has drawn up a roadmap of organizing loan melas or credit camps across all 75 districts.
INTERNATIONAL
Portugal to launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize
Portugal is to launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize with an aim to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. The announcement was made by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa. at the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi on 19 December 2019. The meeting was presided by President Ram Nath Kovind.
The move comes as the country was inspired by the different thoughts and quotes of Mahatma Gandhi.
The first edition of the Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize has been dedicated to animal welfare. This is after the words of Mahatma Gandhi which said that the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
The initiation of the award shows global reverence for Mahatma Gandhi as the world is realizing that his vision of peace, equality, and non-violence.
China successfully launches largest carrier rocket
China has successfully launched the largest carrier rocket of the country, Long March-5, from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China’s Hainan Province.
The rocket, also known as CZ-5, blasted off with more than 1,000 tonnes of thrust.
The Chinese space authorities declared the mission a “complete success” just over half an hour after the lift-off when the Shijian-20 satellite it carried entered its designated orbit.
It is the country’s third attempt to launch the rocket.
The first attempt was made in 2016.
Ethiopia launches its first satellite
Ethiopia launched its first satellite, a landmark achievement for the country’s space program that caps a banner year for the African space industry.
The launch of the Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS) took place at a space station in China.
The live broadcast was watched by a group of Ethiopian and Chinese officials and scientists who had gathered at the Entoto Observatory and Research Centre outside the capital, Addis Ababa.
NATIONAL
National Mathematics Day: 22 December
The Indian government declared 22 December to be National Mathematics Day.
This was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 February 2012.
Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22 December, 1887, Erode.
He made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems then considered unsolvable.
National Farmers Day: 23 December
December 23 is celebrated as ‘Kisan Diwas’ or ‘National Farmers’ Day’ every year.
The day honours Chaudhary Charan Singh, the 5th Prime Minister of India who was born this day.
It is believed that ‘Zamindari Abolition Bill-1952’ was passed due to Chaudhary Charan Singh’s hard work.
He served as the Prime Minister of India between 28 July 1979 and 14 January 1980.
Govt plans to take khadi turnover to Rs 2 trn in next 5 years
Union minister Nitin Gadkari takes plans to take khadi and village industries turnover to Rs 2 trillion in the next five years from Rs 75,000 crore at present. The industry to expand its share in global trade to about 10 percent, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Minister Gadkari urged players to grab the opportunity to expand in the wake of China that accounts for 17 percent of the global trade business battling increased cost and difficulties. The turnover of khadi and village industries is Rs 75,000 crore at present.
Steps are on to take it to Rs 2 trillion in five years.