·       Objective: To catalyze the flow of institutional credit to Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs).

·       The scheme was formally launched on August 30, 2000, and is operational with effect from 1st January 2000.

·       In order to implement the Credit Guarantee Scheme, CGTMSE was jointly set up by the M/o MSME, Government of India,and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

·       Funding: The corpus of CGTMSE is being contributed by the Government of India and SIDBI in the ratio of 4:1.

·       Scheduled commercial banks (Public Sector Banks/Private Sector Banks/Foreign Banks) and select Regional Rural Banks (which have been classified under the ‘Sustainable Viable’ category by NABARD).

·       National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), SIDBI, selected Small Finance banks, and NBFCs have also been made eligible institutions.

·       In cases of default, the trust settles the claim up to 75% (85%/80% wherever applicable) of the amount in default of the credit facility extended by the lending institution.

·       It is a higher tax imposed on specific industries when they make unusual and above-average profits.

·       The term “windfall” refers to an unexpected rise in profits, and the tax on windfall gains is known as the windfall tax.

·       The increase in profits is not attributed to any expansion or investment strategy of a business but to a favourable external factor for which the business is not responsible.

·       A windfall tax is levied on industries or businesses that make disproportionate profitsduring unexpected situations like commodity shortages, wars, pandemics, changes in government policy, etc.

·       The most common industries that fall target to windfall gains tax include oil, gas, and mining.

Objective:

·       The primary objective of windfall taxes is to appropriate a portion of these extraordinary profits, which are perceived to exceed normal returns, for the public good.

·       Governments assert that these profits are not solely due to the taxed entity’s efforts but also due to external factors, justifying the redistribution of such gains to benefit society as a whole.

·       It is also used as a supplementary revenue stream for the government.

·       They range in colours from red, green, brown and black and also vary in size, from microscopic to large underwater forests.

·       Seaweeds are generally anchored to the sea bottom or other solid structures by rootlike “holdfasts,” which perform the sole function of attachment and do not extract nutrients as do the roots of higher plants.

Uses:

·       A number of seaweed species are edible, and many are also of commercial importance to humans.

·       Some are used as fertilizers or as sources of polysaccharides.

·       High amount of antioxidants present in seaweed protects the body from damages caused by freeradicals and protects cells from their impact.

·       Animal studies have found that substances found in seaweed help increase the production of a protein that metabolises fat effectively.

·       Research suggests that consuming seaweed can help in managing diabetes by balancing the sugar levels in the blood.

·       Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents.

·       They are effective binding agents (emulsifiers) in such commercial goods as toothpaste and fruit jelly, and popular softeners (emollients) in organic cosmetics and skin-care products.

·       It provides the crucial knowledge and important resources for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners and fish farmers.

·       Developed by – ICAR-CIFA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture) with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

·       “Find Aquarium Shops” tool – Is a standout feature of the app that enables users to discover nearby aquarium stores.

·       This dynamic directory is regularly updated by shop owners, promoting local businesses while providing users with reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium-related products.

·       “Basics of Aquarium Care” – Is a module covers essential topics such as types of aquariums, fishes, water filtration, lighting, feeding, day to day maintenance.

·       “Ornamental Aquaculture” – Is a module focuses on breeding, rearing of different ornamental fish.

·       Ornamental Fishes – India boasts a rich diversity of ornamental fish, with over 195 indigenous varieties reported from the North-East Region and Western Ghats, and nearly 400 species from marine ecosystems.

·       Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana – A scheme to bring about ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive development of the Fisheries sector of India.

·       It is implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

·       It aids to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India.

·       Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, is a Chilean dependency in the southeastern Pacific Ocean.

·       It is the easternmost outpost of the Polynesian island world.

·       It is situated about 3,540 km to the west of Chile and about 1,900 km to the east of Pitcairn Island.

·       Covering a total area of 163.6 sq.km., it is one of the most remote inhabited places in the world.

·       It is a small, triangular-shaped volcanic island. It is about 24 km in length and has a maximum width of about 12 km at its widest point.

·       It faces a tropical rainforest climate.

·       UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site on March 22, 1996, and major parts of the island have been protected under the Rapa Nui National Park.

What are Moai Statues?

·       Rapa Nui is famous for its large statues called moai.

·       They are shaped like large human heads and erected on stone pedestals.

·       They are famous for their carved heads and “Pukao,” a hat-like covering made from a soft red stone.

·       Some moai stand 40 feet tall and weigh 75 tonnes.

·       They were carved in volcanic stone at quarries and then moved to their current locations across the island.

·       Scholars believe the Rapa Nui people built the moai between the 13th and the 16th centuries and represented their revered ancestors.

·       Over 900 moai have been found on the island to date.