Daily Current Affairs 24th July 2024, Important News Headlines(Daily GK Update)

National News

21.71% Of Country’s Area Under Forest Cover: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh

Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, an organization under the Ministry carries out the assessment of forest cover biennially. As per the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) published in 2021, the total forest cover of the country is 7,13,789 square kilometer which is 21.71% of the geographical area of the country. The State/UTs wise details of forest cover as per ISFR, since 2019 are given in Annexure.

International News

Azerbaijan’s COP29 Climate Finance Action Fund

Azerbaijan, hosting COP29 from November 11 to 22 this year, has announced the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF). This fund will be raised from fossil fuel producers to support green projects in developing countries and help member nations meet the 1.5°C temperature target. The CFAF aims to mobilize both public and private sectors, with Azerbaijan as the founding contributor. It plans to attract $1 billion and secure at least 10 contributing countries.

Banking News

IndusInd Bank Launches ‘Wrestle for Glory’ CSR Initiative

IndusInd Bank has introduced the ‘Wrestle for Glory’ program, a significant CSR initiative developed in partnership with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS). This initiative aims to support 50 promising female wrestling athletes from across India by providing them with fully-funded scholarships for coaching at IIS’s premier facility in Vijayanagar, Bellary.

Economy News

Railway Budget 2024-25: Record Allocation and Key Highlights

The Indian Railways has been allocated a record capital expenditure (Capex) of Rs 2,62,200 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25, maintaining the same level as announced in the Interim Budget 2024. This allocation is part of the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, with Gross Budgetary Support of Rs 2,52,200 crore for Railways, up from Rs 2,40,200 crore in 2023-24 and significantly higher than Rs 28,174 crore in 2013-14.

Business News

NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. To Set Up Green Charcoal Plant In Haryana

Municipal Corporations of Gurugram and Faridabad are all set to establish two waste-to-charcoal plants, also known as green coal plants, in the two districts at a cost of ₹500 crore each. They added that these plants would convert 1,500 tonne of waste daily into charcoal using indigenous technology.

Sports News

Sania Mirza, Mary Kom And Rannvijay Singha Join Play Sports As Brand Ambassadors

Six-time Grand Slam winner and former World No. 1 in women’s doubles Sania Mirza, six-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom and actor Rannvijay Singha have joined ‘Play Sports’ as brand ambassadors. Play Sport’s objective is to create a sustainable sports eco system in India by working with schools, developing sports, managing sports infrastructure, running academies and scouting talent from grassroots.

Important Days

National Income Tax Day 2024: A Journey of Transformation

National Income Tax Day marks a significant milestone in India’s fiscal history. The day is marked on July 24. Income tax is a crucial government levy on the income earned by individuals and businesses during a financial year. The concept of “income” is broadly defined under Section 2(24) of the Income Tax Act, encompassing various sources of earnings.

Obituaries News

C.T. Kurien, a distinguished economist, Passes Away

On July 23, 2024, the world of economics lost a brilliant mind and compassionate soul. C.T. Kurien, a distinguished economist and former professor of Madras Christian College, passed away at the age of 93 due to age-related ailments. His death marks the end of an era in Indian economics, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of economists and social thinkers.

Miscellaneous News

Mumbai’s Aqua Line: A New Era in Underground Metro Transportation

Mumbai, India’s bustling financial capital, is set to witness a significant transformation in its urban transit system with the inauguration of its first underground metro, the Aqua Line. Scheduled to begin operations on July 24, 2024, this long-awaited infrastructure project promises to revolutionize travel across Mumbai’s congested streets, offering a faster, more efficient alternative to surface transportation.