Today in History (June 1st, 2022)
The Czech Republic became the first country in the world to control light pollution by enacting the Protection of the Atmosphere Act of 2002. The act required all outdoor fixtures to have a shield to prevent light from extending above the normal. It came into force on 1st June 2002.
Summary of Today’s News
OTT platforms to show anti-tobacco warnings.
The Union Health Ministry notified an amendment of rules under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2004, which mandates every Over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform to display anti-tobacco warmings as seen in movies screened in theatres and TV. The notification added that the anti-tobacco warning message should have a black font with white background and with the warnings “Tobacco causes cancer” or “Tobacco Kills.”
India joins the Centralised Laboratory Network.
India has joined the Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN), a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which is the largest global group with standardized methods and materials for testing. The CEPI-funded network also aims to identify the most promising vaccine candidates rapidly and accurately against emerging infectious diseases, and the expanded network is working at supporting sustainable regional outbreak preparedness infrastructure.
World’s largest grain storage plan.
The Union Cabinet has approved the constitution and empowerment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to facilitate the construction of the world’s largest grain storage plan in cooperative sector. It will be implemented through convergence of various schemes such as the Union Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Food Processing Industries.
Smart Cities Mission
The Union Cabinet has approved the second phase of the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) project to promote integrated waste management and climate-oriented reform actions. The project will be implemented under the Smart Cities Mission in 18 cities selected through competition. The Smart Cities Mission was launched in 2015 for the development of 100 smart cities and the rejuvenation of 500 other cities.
GDP expanded 7.2% in 2022-23.
As per the provisional national income data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the GDP of India grew 7.2% in 2022-23, from 7% estimated earlier. Also, GDP growth accelerated to 6.1% in the last quarter (January-March) of 2022-23. The Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy rose to 7% in 2022-23, as compared to 8.8% in 2021-22.
