Chhattisgarh: Reusable pads to be distributed to rural women folk
In order to ensure hygiene of rural women folk, a unique initiative has started in the capital city of Chhattisgarh under which the SHGs are being trained and awareness is being created for using reusable sanitary napkins which could be used for up to two years.
Due to this, the corporation initiated with a scheme in which collaboration with a Delhi’s NGO Bala a project was done. Under this project, members of the NGOs along with the volunteers explain the rural area women and SHGs about the Menstrual hygiene, use of reusable sanitary pads for prevention of reproductive tract infection and awareness regarding cleanliness.
Rural area women will be distributed with these pads which can be reused for two years. These pads can be washed very often and are easy to carry along. Officers say that there are many women who are unable to buy pads. For this reason, under compulsion, they use other traditional methods.
The organization will distribute 36,000 kits made at a cost of Rs 61 lakh to women in the capital Raipur as an experiment. Further the SHGs women will be given training to make sanitary pads.
INTERNATIONAL
India and Japan to conduct joint exercise to strengthen cooperation in air defence
The joint exercise, which will go through January 26th, intends to encourage international collaboration in air defence.
Four Su-30 MKI, two C-17, and one IL-78 aircraft from the Indian contingent will take part in the air exercise, while four F-2 and four F-15 aircraft from the JASDF will take part.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the first exercise would involve several aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces.
They’ll engage in sophisticated multi-domain air combat operations while exchanging best practises.
NATIONAL
Economic Survey 2022-23
The Economic Survey is an annual report card of the economy, which is presented a day before the budget and examines the performance of each and every sector and then suggests future moves.
India’s economy to grow 6.5% in 2023-24, compared to 7% this fiscal and 8.7% in 2021-22. Gross domestic product (GDP) in nominal terms to be 11% in next fiscal
Growth driven by private consumption, higher capex, strengthening corporate balance sheet, credit growth to small businesses and return of migrant workers to cities
Real GDP growth to be in the range of 6-6.8% next fiscal depending on global economic, political developments
Challenge to rupee depreciation persists with the likelihood of further interest rate hikes by the US Fed
Current account deficit (CAD) may continue to widen as global commodity prices remain elevated, economic growth momentum stays strong. If CAD widens further, rupee may come under depreciation pressure
The country’s current account deficit widened to 4.4% of the GDP in the quarter ending September, from 2.2% of the GDP during the April-June period due to a higher trade gap, according to the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.
India has sufficient forex reserves to finance CAD and intervene in forex market to manage rupee volatility
The growth in exports has moderated in second half of current fiscal; the surge in growth rate in 2021-22 and first half of current fiscal led to production processes shifting gears from ‘mild acceleration’ to ‘cruise mode’
Slowing world growth, shrinking global trade led to loss of export stimulus in the second half of current year
Bank credit growth likely to be brisk in FY24 on back of benign inflation, moderate credit cost
Credit growth to small businesses high at over 30.5% in January-November, 2022
Central govt capex grew 63.4% in April-November of current fiscal
Stock market gave positive returns in calendar year 2022 unfazed by FPI withdrawal
Private consumption, capital formation led economic growth in current fiscal has helped generate employment; urban employment rate declined, while Employee Provident Fund registration rose
The Survey said that ‘entrenched inflation’ may prolong the tightening cycle and therefore borrowing costs may stay higher for longer