Daily Current Affairs- 13th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 13th April 2025

NITI Aayog’s Report on Automotive Industry

In the News: On April 12, 2025, NITI Aayog released a comprehensive report titled “Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains”, outlining a strategic roadmap to enhance India's role in the global automotive sector. The report emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to bolster production, exports, and employment in the automotive component industry.

• Production and Export Targets: The report projects that India's automotive component production will grow from $70 billion in FY23 to $145 billion by FY30, with exports expected to triple from $20 billion to $60 billion during the same period.
• Employment Generation: Achieving these targets could generate 2–2.5 million new direct jobs, increasing total employment in the sector to 3–4 million.
• Global Value Chain Integration: India aims to increase its share in the global automotive value chain from 3% to 8% by 2030, resulting in a projected trade surplus of $25 billion.
• Current Challenges:
  • India faces a 10% cost disadvantage compared to competitors like China, due to higher raw material costs, steeper import duties, and increased freight costs.
  • Limited presence in high-precision segments such as engine components and transmission systems, with a share of just 2–4% in these areas.
  • Infrastructural deficits and moderate integration into global value chains hinder competitiveness.

Maharashtra–ROSATOM Partnership for Thorium Reactor

In the News: On April 11, 2025, the Maharashtra government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia's state-owned nuclear energy corporation, ROSATOM, to jointly develop a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) powered by thorium fuel. This collaboration marks a significant step in India's pursuit of alternative nuclear energy sources and positions Maharashtra as a pioneer among Indian states in nuclear energy initiatives.

• First State-Led Nuclear Initiative: This MoU represents the first instance of an Indian state government venturing into nuclear energy development, a domain traditionally overseen by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Key Stakeholders:
  • Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd (MAHAGENCO): The state's power generation company, leading the initiative on behalf of Maharashtra.
  • ROSATOM: Russia's state-owned nuclear energy corporation, bringing expertise in SMR technology.
  • Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA): Providing strategic support and coordination for the project.
  • Global Technology Alliance: Involved in facilitating technology transfer and collaboration.
• Objectives of the MoU:
  • Joint Development of a thorium-based SMR in Maharashtra.
  • Commercialization of thorium reactors adhering to safety standards set by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
  • Establishment of a local assembly line for thorium reactors under the 'Make in Maharashtra'
• Regulatory Compliance: All activities will be conducted in accordance with guidelines from the Government of India and the AERB, ensuring adherence to national nuclear safety protocols.
• Formation of Joint Working Group: A dedicated group comprising representatives from MAHAGENCO, ROSATOM, MITRA, and the Global Technology Alliance will oversee coordination, research, and implementation of the project.
• Alignment with National Energy Goals: The initiative complements India's three-stage nuclear power program, aiming to utilize thorium in the third stage to achieve long-term energy security.

Assam Government Withdraws Foreigner Tribunal Cases Against Koch Rajbongshis

In the News: On April 4, 2025, the Assam Cabinet approved the withdrawal of approximately 28,000 pending cases in the state's Foreigners' Tribunals (FTs) against members of the Koch Rajbongshi community. This decision aims to remove the 'D' (doubtful) voter tag from community members and acknowledges them as an indigenous group integral to Assam's cultural fabric.

Factual Details

• Historical Context: The Koch Rajbongshi community traces its lineage to the Koch Dynasty of the Kamata Kingdom, which spanned regions of present-day Assam, West Bengal, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In Assam, they predominantly reside in districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, and Bongaigaon.
• Citizenship Challenges: Due to their transborder presence and shared surnames with other communities, many Koch Rajbongshis were labeled as 'D' voters, leading to legal battles in FTs to prove their Indian citizenship.
• Government's Rationale: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the Koch Rajbongshis are "an indigenous community" and "an indispensable limb of Assam’s culture." The withdrawal of cases is seen as a corrective measure to longstanding grievances.
• Implementation Concerns: Critics point out challenges in identifying community members within FT records, as these records often lack explicit mention of ethnic identities. Common surnames like Barman, Sarkar, and Roy are shared across different communities, complicating the identification process.
• Political Implications: The decision comes ahead of the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections. The Koch Rajbongshi community, with a significant population in several constituencies, has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, a promise made by the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
• Precedents and Comparisons: In 2021, the Assam government withdrew FT cases against the Gorkha However, similar relief has not been extended to other indigenous Muslim communities like the Goriya, Moriya, and Deshi, leading to questions about the criteria for such decisions 

Mehul Choksi Detained in Belgium on India's Extradition Request

In the News: On April 12, 2025, fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was detained by Belgian authorities in Antwerp, following an extradition request from Indian agencies. Choksi had been residing in Belgium for the past six months, reportedly undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Factual Details

• Background: Choksi, former owner of Gitanjali Gems, fled India in January 2018, shortly before the PNB scam came to light. He acquired Antiguan citizenship in November 2017 and has since been evading Indian authorities.
• PNB Fraud Case: Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding PNB by fraudulently obtaining Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), leading to a loss of over ₹13,000 crore. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have filed multiple chargesheets against him under various laws, including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• Extradition Efforts: India's extradition request was reactivated after the Interpol Red Corner Notice against Choksi was withdrawn. Despite this setback, Indian agencies pursued a renewed request, leading to his detention in Belgium.
• Current Status: Choksi is currently held at a detention center in Belgium. He is expected to challenge the extradition on medical grounds, citing his ongoing treatment for blood cancer. Indian authorities are also exploring deportation as an alternative to expedite his return 

Namami Gange Mission 2.0

In the News: The Namami Gange Mission 2.0, an extension of India's flagship river conservation initiative, has achieved significant milestones in the fiscal year 2024–25. Notably, seven major sewerage infrastructure projects were completed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi, enhancing the mission's capacity to prevent sewage from entering rivers and improving water quality.

• Mission Overview: Launched in 2014, the original Namami Gange Programme aimed to abate pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga River. Building on its success, Namami Gange Mission 2.0 was approved with a budgetary outlay of ₹22,500 crore for the period 2021–2026.
• Recent Achievements:
  • Completion of seven sewerage projects in the second half of FY 2024–25, adding to the mission's infrastructure.
  • These projects include state-of-the-art Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Interception & Diversion (I&D)
  • The total sewage treatment capacity under the mission now stands at 3,722 Million Liters per Day (MLD), with 157 STPs
• Key Projects:
  • Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh: A 70 MLD STP with an I&D network was established at a cost of ₹261 crore.
  • Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: A 33 MLD STP was commissioned to enhance sewage treatment capabilities.
  • Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh: A 50 MLD STP was completed, benefiting the Kali West and Hindon rivers.
• Implementation Model: Projects are executed under various models, including the Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) and Hybrid Annuity Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, ensuring efficient operation and maintenance.
• Holistic Approach: Beyond infrastructure, the mission emphasizes riverfront development, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, public awareness, and industrial effluent monitoring, adopting a comprehensive strategy for river rejuvenation 

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): A Tragic Event in Indian History

In the News: April 13, 2025, marks the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a pivotal and tragic event in India's struggle for independence. On this day in 1919, British troops under Brigadier General Reginald Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, Punjab, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of unarmed civilians. The massacre galvanized Indian nationalist sentiments and intensified the demand for self-rule.

• Date and Location: The massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, at Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar, Punjab.
• Context: The gathering was organized to protest against the Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British colonial government to detain individuals without trial. Additionally, the crowd was protesting the arrest of nationalist leaders Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. The day also coincided with Baisakhi, a major Sikh festival, attracting many pilgrims to the city.
• The Massacre: Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, without warning, ordered his troops to block the garden's exits and fire upon the crowd. The troops fired approximately 1,650 rounds, targeting the densest sections of the crowd. The firing lasted about ten minutes, ceasing only when ammunition was nearly exhausted. Official British reports estimated 379 deaths and over 1,200 injuries, but Indian sources suggest the fatalities were significantly higher.
• Aftermath and Impact:
  • The massacre led to widespread outrage across India and eroded trust in British intentions.
  • Rabindranath Tagore renounced his British knighthood in protest.
  • The event spurred the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, marking a significant escalation in the Indian independence struggle.
  • In Britain, the massacre was condemned by figures like Winston Churchill, who described it as "monstrous."
• Memorial: In 1961, a memorial was inaugurated at Jallianwala Bagh to honour the victims. The site preserves bullet marks and the well into which many people jumped to escape the gunfire.