1) President Grants Assent to Rural Jobs Bill
The President has given assent to the Rural Jobs Bill, marking a major step towards strengthening employment opportunities in rural India. The government has identified four key focus areas under this initiative to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
Focus Areas of Work
Water Security – Emphasis on water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and irrigation projects to support agriculture and rural households.
Core Rural Infrastructure – Development of roads, storage facilities, housing support, and sanitation infrastructure.
Livelihood Generation – Promotion of skill development, self-help groups, and income-generating activities beyond agriculture.
Weather Mitigation – Creation of climate-resilient assets to tackle droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges.
Funding Pattern
The cost-sharing arrangement follows a Centre : State ratio of 60 : 40, ensuring cooperative federalism while supporting financially weaker states.
Significance:
This Bill not only strengthens rural employment but also links job creation with long-term asset building, making rural growth more sustainable.
2) Unlocking the Potential of India–Africa Economic Ties
Currently, nearly 40% of India’s exports go to the US and Europe, regions that are facing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. To reduce risk and enhance resilience, India is looking to diversify its trade partnerships, with Africa emerging as a key strategic partner.
Measures to Enhance India–Africa Trade
Removal of Trade Barriers – Simplifying tariffs, customs procedures, and regulatory hurdles to promote smoother trade flows.
Local Manufacturing in Africa – Instead of only exporting commodities like rice, India should set up manufacturing and processing units in Africa, generating value addition and local employment.
Opportunities for MSMEs – Africa offers better entry opportunities for Indian MSMEs compared to Europe and the US due to lower competition and cost advantages.
Reducing Freight and Logistics Costs – Improving port connectivity, shipping routes, and logistics infrastructure to make trade more cost-effective.
Focus on IT and Healthcare – India’s strength in digital services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and telemedicine can help establish a strong and long-term presence in African markets.
Additional Advantage:
Africa has a young population and growing consumer base, making it a future growth engine for Indian exports and investments.
3) Lessons from China on Tackling Pollution
China’s experience offers valuable lessons for India in addressing air pollution through decisive and large-scale interventions.
Key Measures Adopted by China
Closure or Relocation of Polluting Factories away from urban areas.
Replacement of Coal Heaters with cleaner energy sources such as natural gas.
Strict Vehicle Emission Norms and enforcement of pollution standards.
Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs) through subsidies and charging infrastructure.
Strong Air Quality Monitoring Systems using real-time data and public reporting.
Learning for India:
India can adapt these measures by strengthening enforcement, promoting clean energy, encouraging public transport, and investing in pollution monitoring and research.