Short News:

October 3, 2023

National Turmeric Board	The Prime Minister announces the setting up of the National Turmeric Board. Benefit: The Board can be expected to implement a market intervention scheme with the help of Central and State governments to provide profitable prices for the farmers’ produce. Turmeric Production: India produces nearly 1.1 million tonnes of turmeric, making up 80 per cent of the global output. Turmeric exports are currently around 1.5 lakh tonnes with shipments picking up pace since the pandemic
Reaffirmation of Adivasi rights: Vachati Judgement	The Madras High Court upheld the convictions of over 200 government officials from the forest, police and revenue departments of Tamil Nadu for the atrocities committed on tribal people of Vachathi village in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Significance of Verdict: In Vachathi Judgement, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 has served its purpose. The judgment will be remembered as a case where despite India’s stark inequities, the convergence of an alert civil society, committed lawyers, an independent judiciary and the resolve of victims seeking justice could use the judicial system to their advantage.
Shut down of Afghan Embassy in India	The Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi has shut down its operations), citing “lack of support from the host government”. In accordance with Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), all property and facilities of the Embassy will be transferred to the custodial authority of the host country.
Evolution of Banknotes in Independent India	According to Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934, “the design, form and material of banknotes” shall be such as may be approved by the central government after consideration of the recommendations made by the central board. Evolution of Banknotes in independent India: Post Independence, the RBI continued to issue notes from the colonial period featuring King George VI. The government of India brought out its new design of the 1-rupee note in 1949 — in the watermark window, King George was replaced with a symbol of the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. 1980s: The 1980s saw emphasis on symbols of scientific and technological advancements and Indian art forms — the Aryabhatta satellite featured on the Rs 2 note, farm mechanisation on Rs 5 and the Konark Wheel on Rs 20, among others. 1996: Mahatma Gandhi series notes introduced in 1996 to replaced old Ashokan pillars notes, due to his National appeal. 2016: Post- demonitizationThe ‘Mahatma Gandhi New Series’ issued. The portrait of Gandhi continues, while the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan logo has been added on the back of the notes, apart from additional security features.