Gist of The Hindu : DECEMBER 2023

Gist of The Hindu: DECEMBER- 2023

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National Cooperative Exports Limited

Recently, the Union Minister of Cooperation informed the Lok Sabha about the National Cooperative Exports Limited.

About the National Cooperative Exports Limited:

It was set up by the Ministry of Cooperation under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.
It will provide a complete ecosystem for the promotion of exports mainly of Agri commodities for the benefit of our farmers, in which India has a comparative advantage.
All cooperative societies from the level of primary to apex that are interested in exports are eligible to become members.
The NCEL has provision of two kinds of members namely:
Ordinary Members: The following shall be eligible to become ordinary members of the NCEL: -
Any multi-state co-operative society or any co-operative society registered or deemed to be registered under any law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force in any State or UT;
The National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) established under the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962
Such class or classes of persons or associations of persons as may be permitted by the Central Registrar having regard to the nature and activities of the Society.
No individual shall be eligible to become an ordinary member of the NCEL.
Nominal or associate member: The society may, in the interest of the promotion of its business, admit any person, including cooperative banks, as a nominal member or associate member.
This society will focus on exporting the surpluses available in the Indian cooperative sector by accessing wider markets beyond the geographical contours of the country.

Securities Appellate Tribunal

The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) recently quashed a SEBI order banning Future Retail Chairperson and some other promoters from the securities market for one year in an insider trading case.

About Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT):

It is formed as a statutory and autonomous body as per the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992.
It was mainly established to hear appeals against orders passed by the SEBI or by an adjudicating officer under the SEBI Act.

The SAT hears appeals against the following orders:

Orders issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in relation to cases filed before it.
Orders issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in relation to cases filed before it.
Hear the orders passed by SEBI.

Composition:

SAT consists of one Presiding Officer and such number of Judicial and Technical members as the Central Government may determine.
The person so appointed as the presiding Officer should meet the following requirements:
The retired or sitting judge of the Supreme Court
Chief Justice of the High Court
Judge of the High Court, who has completed at least seven years of service as a judge in a high court.
Judicial Member: Judge of the High Court for at least five years of service.

National Geoscience Data Repository Portal

The Union Ministry of Mines is to launch the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal on 19th December 2023 in a ceremony in New Delhi.

About the National Geoscience Data Repository Portal:

It is a comprehensive online platform for accessing, sharing, and analysing geospatial information across India.
The NGDR initiative was spearheaded by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).
It represents a significant leap forward in democratising critical geoscience data, empowering stakeholders across industries and academia with unprecedented access to invaluable resources.

About Geological Survey of India

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
Over the years, GSI has not only grown into a repository of geo-science information required in various fields in the country but has also attained the status of a geo-scientific organisation of international repute.
Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
GSI’s chief role includes providing objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information of all kinds, with a focus on policy making decisions, commercial and socio- economic needs.
GSI also emphasises on systematic documentation of all geological processes, both surface and subsurface, of India and its offshore areas. The organisation carries out this work through geological, geophysical, & geochemical surveys using the latest and most cost-effective techniques and methodologies.
GSI is an attached office of the Ministry of Mines.
Headquarters: Kolkata
It has six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and state unit offices in almost all states of the country.

Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)?

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the representative body of nearly 600 internet firms and start-ups, recently welcomed the introduction of the Telecom Bill in Lok Sabha.

About the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI):

Established in 2004, the IAMAI is a not-for-profit industry body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It is the country's only organisation representing the digital services industry, with over 500 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups.
Mandate: To expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors.
It is dedicated to presenting the unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers, and other stakeholders.
The association addresses the issues, concerns, and challenges of the Internet and Mobile economy and takes a leading role in its development.
IAMAI represents varied sectors such as digital advertising, digital entertainment, traveltech, online gaming, digital payments, fintech, digital commerce, edtech, healthtech, agritech, big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/VR, logistics-tech, and so on.
The association’s activities include promoting the inherent strengths of the digital economy, evaluating and recommending standards and practices to the industry, conducting research, creating platforms for its members, communicating on behalf of the industry, and creating a favourable business environment for the industry.;
IAMAI has been advocating free and fair competition, progressive laws for the sector, and supporting equitable access, the best quality of services to consumers, and a safe and secure internet for users.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Authorities in Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) have credited the rise in the protected area’s tiger numbers to a reduction in human activities, including restrictions on illegal mining in its eco-sensitive zone.

About the Valmiki Tiger Reserve:

It is located at the India-Nepal border in the West Champaran district of Bihar.
It is situated in the Gangetic Plains biogeographic zone of the country.
It forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and is the only tiger reserve in Bihar.
It comprises the Valmiki National Park and Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is surrounded by the Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak on the western side.
Rivers: Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.
The forest of this region has a combination of bhabar and terai tracts.
Vegetation: It has mainly Moist mixed deciduous, Open-land vegetation, Sub-mountainous semi-evergreen formation, Freshwater swamps, Riparian fringes, Alluvial grasslands, high hill savannah and Wetlands.
Flora: Sal, rohini, sihor, teak, bamboo, semal, Mandar, shisham, Jamun, Gular etc.
Fauna: Tigers, Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs are large predators. Leopard cat and fishing cat, Deer, sambar, barking deer and hog deer etc.