Uttarakhand to Plant Over 5 Lakh Saplings on Harela Festival

Uttarakhand is preparing to plant over 5 lakh saplings on July 16, 2025, to celebrate the Harela festival, a traditional festival of greenery. This large-scale plantation drive aims to set a new record and raise awareness about environmental conservation in the state.

Massive Plantation Drive Across the State

The plantation campaign will cover the entire state, with 3 lakh saplings to be planted in the Garhwal region and 2 lakh in the Kumaon region. The drive is part of this year’s Harela celebration, which carries the special themes — “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Harela Ka Tyohar Manao, Dharti Maa Ka Rin Chukao.”

The saplings will be planted in various locations such as public parks, riverbanks, forests, schools, government campuses, and residential areas.

Community Participation Encouraged

Following the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, preparations are being made to ensure active participation from all sections of society. Villagers, school students, government departments, and environmental groups will take part in the plantation drive.

This mass participation is expected to create greater awareness about environmental protection and encourage people to adopt greener practices in their daily lives.

Aiming to Break the Previous Record

The plantation effort is expected to break the earlier record set in July 2016, when 2 lakh saplings were planted in a single day. By planting over 5 lakh saplings, the state not only wants to set a new record but also send a strong message about its commitment to climate action and sustainable living.

Prasar Bharati Signs MoU to Promote Handball in India

Prasar Bharati has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Handball Association of India (HAI) to produce and broadcast all national and international handball events. The agreement, aimed at boosting handball’s popularity in India, will help showcase the sport on DD Sports, Waves OTT, and other public broadcasting platforms.

MoU to Support and Promote Handball

The agreement was officially exchanged between Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, and Anandeshwar Pande, Executive Director of HAI. The event also saw the presence of Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati. The MoU is valid for three years and is expected to increase the visibility of handball, helping young talent get recognized and supported.

National Broadcast of Handball Events

As part of this agreement, all national and international handball tournaments will be telecast on DD Sports, streamed on Waves OTT, and shared through other Prasar Bharati platforms. This move ensures that more people, including youth from rural and urban areas, get access to the sport and its competitions.

Aim of the MoU

The main goal of this partnership is to grow the sport of handball in India, create more opportunities for players, and increase fan engagement. With dedicated coverage, the sport is likely to gain more recognition and support, paving the way for better performance at international levels.

SWFs and Pension Funds to Enjoy Tax Exemption Until 2030

The Central Government has extended the tax exemption for Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and Pension Funds on eligible investments in India until March 31, 2030. This move, announced officially on July 12, 2025, aims to attract more long-term foreign investment into key infrastructure sectors like energy, telecom, and logistics.

Boosting Long-Term Capital in Infrastructure

The tax exemption covers income from dividends, interest, and long-term capital gains earned by specified foreign funds on their investments in India. This is expected to encourage more global funds to invest in India’s fast-growing infrastructure, which needs large, sustained capital flows.

The government introduced this benefit in 2020 under Section 10(23FE) of the Income Tax Act, with the goal of increasing financial support for critical development areas such as roads, ports, power, telecom, and logistics.

Timeline and Previous Announcements

Initially, the exemption was allowed for investments made between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2024. It was then extended to March 31, 2025, as announced in the 2024-25 Interim Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Now, the benefit will remain available until the end of FY 2029–30. The Department of Revenue officially notified this extension, turning it into policy.

Growing Interest from Foreign Funds

According to NSDL data, the assets held by sovereign wealth funds in Indian companies rose by 60% year-on-year, reaching ₹4.7 lakh crore by April 2024. This shows rising interest from global investors in India’s growth and infrastructure push.

By continuing these tax benefits, the government hopes to build investor confidence, support its infrastructure goals, and ensure steady capital inflow from large global institutions.

RBI Fines HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance for Breaking Rules

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fined HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance for violating certain regulatory rules. On July 11, 2025, RBI imposed a penalty of ₹4.88 lakh on HDFC Bank and ₹2.70 lakh on Shriram Finance. These penalties aim to ensure that all financial institutions follow proper guidelines and maintain transparency.

Reasons Behind the Penalties

HDFC Bank was penalised for breaking rules related to foreign investment. The violation occurred while the bank was providing a term loan to one of its clients. The RBI found that the bank did not follow the prescribed norms for handling such transactions.

Shriram Finance, on the other hand, was fined for not following proper rules under digital lending norms. This was discovered during a routine inspection based on its financial position as of March 31, 2024. RBI observed that the company routed loan repayments through accounts that did not comply with required regulations.

RBI’s Stand on Regulation and Compliance

The Reserve Bank of India, as the country’s central banking authority, regularly monitors the financial sector to ensure stability and safety. These fines are part of its ongoing efforts to promote responsible banking practices.

Although the violations were not serious enough to question the financial soundness of the two institutions, the RBI stated that such penalties are necessary to maintain discipline and prevent future violations.

Babitha B P Joins SBI as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer

Babitha B P has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (General Manager – Infrastructure Security & Special Projects) at the State Bank of India (SBI). The appointment was made in June 2025, marking an important step by India’s largest bank to improve its cybersecurity and digital safety systems. This move reflects the rising importance of cyber protection in India’s financial sector.

Leading Cybersecurity at SBI

In her new role, Babitha B P will oversee infrastructure security, manage strategic security initiatives, and lead special projects to improve SBI’s resilience against cyber threats. She brings deep experience in information security and risk management. Her main goal will be to ensure that SBI continues to offer secure and reliable digital banking services to millions of customers.

Official Statement

Babitha shared her excitement about the new opportunity, saying,

“It’s an honour to be part of one of India’s most trusted institutions. I look forward to contributing to SBI’s cybersecurity strength and taking on new challenges.”

She also thanked her mentors, friends, and well-wishers for their support throughout her journey.

Why Cybersecurity Matters

As more people use digital payments and online banking, banks face growing threats from cybercriminals. Experts say that strong cybersecurity leadership is now a must for every major financial institution. SBI’s decision to appoint a skilled leader like Babitha B P shows its commitment to protecting customer data and financial systems.

This move also represents progress in promoting women leaders in technology and risk management roles across the banking sector in India.

Arthunkal Police Station Becomes India’s First ISO-Certified Station

Arthunkal Police Station in Alappuzha district, Kerala, has become the first police station in India to receive the IS/ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification, awarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The certificate was officially presented on July 10, 2025, recognising the station’s dedication to delivering quality service in policing and public safety.

A First for Indian Police

The ISO 9001:2015 certification was formally awarded by BIS during a special ceremony at Arthunkal Police Station. This recognition is based on the station’s excellent work in crime prevention, investigation, traffic control, public grievance redressal, and overall law enforcement activities.

The certification was handed over by Sri Praveen Khanna, Deputy Director General (Standardization), BIS, to Sri Ravada Azad Chandrashekhar, State Police Chief of Kerala, in the presence of senior officers including G. Venkatanarayanan, S. Syamsundar (IG, South Zone), and Dr. S. Sateesh Bino (DIG, Ernakulam Range).

Highlights of the Event

The event began with a welcome address by Sri M.P. Mohanachandran, District Police Chief, Alappuzha, and a presidential address by Sri H. Venkatesh, ADGP (Law & Order). In his keynote speech, Sri Ravada Azad Chandrashekhar highlighted the importance of following global quality standards in policing to enhance public trust and service efficiency.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Sri Harish Jain, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Cherthala, who is leading the Modernised Cherthala Police Programme—an effort to modernize local policing through better systems and infrastructure.

A Model for Other Police Stations

The achievement is part of Kerala Police’s larger mission to bring structured reforms to policing, aligning with national and international standards. The Modernised Cherthala Police Programme, led by ASP Harish Jain, focuses on upgrading police stations through better service, transparency, and citizen involvement.

This certification sets a benchmark for police stations across India, showing that high standards in crime control and public service are possible and measurable.

Abhijit Kishore Reappointed COAI Chairperson for 2025-26

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has announced its leadership for the year 2025–26, with Abhijit Kishore, Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone Idea Ltd, reappointed as Chairperson and Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer of Bharti Airtel, as Vice Chairperson. The announcement was made at the COAI’s Annual General Body meeting, held on July 9, 2025, in New Delhi.

COAI Retains Proven Leaders

At its annual meeting, COAI decided to continue with the existing leadership, recognising their strong performance and industry knowledge. Abhijit Kishore brings over 30 years of experience in India’s telecom sector. Before becoming COO of Vodafone Idea, he led the company’s enterprise business.

Rahul Vatts has nearly three decades of expertise in telecom regulation, licensing, spectrum, and policy. He manages government relations and regulatory affairs across all of Airtel’s business areas, including broadband, DTH, data centres, and international services.

Industry’s Confidence and Vision

SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI, appreciated both leaders for their contributions during the previous term. He highlighted that as India moves ahead with 5G and digital growth, their continued leadership will help guide the sector through opportunities and challenges.

Kochhar emphasized the telecom industry’s role as a key enabler for other sectors. He said that digital connectivity is no longer just a vertical but a support system for the entire economy, helping businesses and services perform better.

Cabinet Approves ₹1 Lakh Crore Employment-Linked Scheme

Union Cabinet approved a major employment-linked incentive (ELI) scheme worth ₹1 lakh crore to create over 3.5 crore jobs across India. The scheme, part of the Union Budget 2024–25, aims to provide financial support to employers and social security to workers, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Boosting Job Creation Across Sectors

The new ELI scheme will benefit jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027. Out of the targeted 3.5 crore new jobs, around 1.92 crore will be for first-time workers. The scheme focuses on giving social security and creating more formal jobs in all sectors, with extra support for the manufacturing industry.

Employers will receive up to ₹3,000 per new employee per month for a period of two years, provided the job lasts at least six months. For the manufacturing sector, incentives can continue for another two years. New employees will also get one month’s wage (up to ₹15,000) as part of the benefits.

Official Announcement and Budget Plan

The scheme was announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a Cabinet briefing in New Delhi. He stated that the ELI scheme is one of five initiatives under the Prime Minister’s employment and skill development package, with a total budget of ₹2 lakh crore aimed at benefiting over 4 crore youth.

This programme is designed to formalize employment, increase social security coverage, and reduce the unemployment rate among India’s youth.

Varsha Deshpande Wins 2025 UN Population Award

Varsha Deshpande, an advocate from Satara, Maharashtra, has won the 2025 United Nations Population Award for her lifelong work in promoting gender equality and preventing sex-selective abortions. The award was presented on World Population Day (July 11, 2025) in New York, recognizing her powerful campaigns to protect the girl child and uplift Dalit women in India.

A Life Committed to Saving the Girl Child

Varsha Deshpande is the secretary of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, which she founded in 1990. For over three decades, she has fought against gender-biased sex selection and worked to improve the lives of women and girls, especially from marginalized communities.

She is known for her bold sting operations to expose illegal practices linked to sex-selective abortions, as well as her active role in implementing the PCPNDT Act, a law that prevents such practices in India. Deshpande’s initiatives have also included campaigns against child marriage, legal reforms, and programmes to support women’s financial independence.

UN’s Recognition and Event Highlights

At a special event in New York, Deshpande received the award on July 11, 2025, marking the 40th year of the UN Population Award. She said the honour is not just personal but belongs to all who work for social justice and women’s rights.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) praised her for tackling deep-rooted issues like discrimination based on gender, caste, and religion. Andrea M Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative, said Deshpande’s efforts have made a lasting impact on reproductive rights and dignity for women and girls.

About the UN Population Award

The UN Population Award was set up in 1981 and first given in 1983. Every year, the award is presented to individuals or groups who have made major contributions in population and reproductive health. The winner receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash prize. This year, Varsha Deshpande is the individual category winner.

One of the key goals of the award is to shine a light on the work of people like Deshpande, whose grassroots activism helps bring real change in society.

India Launches First Electric Truck Incentive Scheme

On July 12, 2025, the Indian government launched its first electric truck (e-truck) incentive scheme under the PM E-DRIVE initiative, offering up to ₹9.6 lakh subsidy per vehicle. The scheme was announced by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and aims to promote clean freight transport and reduce pollution. This is a key step in Prime Minister Modi’s vision for green mobility and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Key Features of the E-Truck Scheme

The scheme provides financial incentives for electric trucks under the N2 and N3 categories, which includes trucks with gross vehicle weight (GVW) from 3.5 to 55 tonnes. The maximum subsidy is ₹9.6 lakh per truck, given as an upfront discount. Manufacturers will be reimbursed through the PM E-DRIVE portal on a first-come, first-served basis.

To ensure quality, the scheme includes strict warranty rules—five years or 5 lakh km for batteries, and five years or 2.5 lakh km for vehicles and motors. Also, buyers must scrap old polluting diesel trucks, which will further help the environment.

Why This Matters for India

Although diesel trucks make up only 3% of vehicles, they are responsible for 42% of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. This move is crucial for improving air quality, cutting carbon emissions, and meeting India’s environmental goals.

The scheme plans to support the deployment of 5,600 electric trucks, including 1,100 in Delhi, with a ₹100 crore budget. It will focus on sectors such as cement, steel, ports, and logistics, where heavy trucks are widely used.

Industry Participation and Government Push

Top Indian companies like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Volvo Eicher are already working on electric trucks. The scheme will help grow the domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Public Sector Unit SAIL has already committed to buying 150 e-trucks and aims to electrify 15% of its hired fleet. This sets an example for other government-run companies to follow in promoting green transport.

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