CURRENT AFFAIRS 05 December, 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 05 December, 2024

1. ASSAM BANS BEEF CONSUMPTION IN HOTELS AND PUBLIC PLACES –

• On December 4, 2024, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a significant move to impose a complete ban on the serving and consumption of beef in hotels, restaurants, and public places across the state.
• This decision, which amends existing laws, aims to regulate beef consumption more strictly in public and commercial spaces. The ban, effective immediately, will extend beyond the previously enforced 5-km radius around temples and other religious sites.

2. INDIA WINS 5TH JUNIOR HOCKEY ASIA CUP, BEATS PAKISTAN 5-3 –

• In a thrilling showdown in Muscat, the Indian men’s junior hockey team defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 to secure their fifth Junior Asia Cup title and their third consecutive championship on December 4, 2024.
• This victory adds another feather to India’s illustrious hockey cap, with previous title wins in 2004, 2008, 2015, and 2023.
• The hero of the match was Araijeet Singh Hundal, who scored four remarkable goals, leading India to a historic triumph.

3. US APPROVES $1.17 BILLION DEAL FOR INDIAN NAVY CHOPPER EQUIPMENT –

• In a significant boost to India’s naval capabilities, the outgoing Biden administration has approved a $1.17 billion deal under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to supply advanced communication systems, sensors, and logistical support for the Indian Navy’s Sikorsky MH-60R multi-role helicopters.
• The deal, part of a broader strategy to counter challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from China and Pakistan, underscores the growing defense partnership between India and the United States.

4. PMSGMBY: 10 LAKH SOLAR INSTALLATIONS BY 2025, 1 CRORE BY 2027 –

• The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar scheme, is rapidly transforming India’s solar energy landscape.
• Launched in February 2024, the scheme has already achieved impressive milestones, with 6.3 lakh installations in just 9 months—averaging 70,000 per month, a sharp increase from the 7,000 per month prior to its launch.
• By March 2025, installations are projected to exceed 10 lakh, and the scheme aims for one crore installations by March 2027.

5. INDIA INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO REDUCE SNAKEBITE DEATHS BY 2030 –

• India, which accounts for nearly 50% of global snakebite deaths, has declared snakebite a notifiable disease at the national level.
• This initiative aims to reduce the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with snakebites, particularly in rural and tribal areas, and aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of halving global snakebite deaths and injuries by 2030.
• By mandating reporting of all snakebite cases and deaths, the move enables better surveillance, treatment, and prevention strategies, offering hope to marginalized communities disproportionately affected by this neglected public health issue.