World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the establishment of the "world's largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector" with an outlay of around Rs 1 lakh crore.

• The initiative aims to curb crop damages, prevent distress sales by farmers, and bolster the country’s food security.

What are the Major Highlights Related to Grain Storage Plan?

• About:
  • The plan focuses on the creation of godowns and other agricultural infrastructure at the level of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to strengthen food security, reduce wastage, and empower farmers.
    • This ambitious project aims to converge eight ongoing schemes of three ministries to address the shortage of agricultural storage infrastructure in India.
    • Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least 10 selected districts.
• Inter-Ministerial Committee:
  • An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) will be constituted under the chairmanship of the Minister of Cooperation, with the participation of the Ministers of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Food Processing Industries, along with the concerned secretaries.

• Rationale:
  • The Ministry of Cooperation has developed the grain storage plan to leverage the strength of cooperatives and transform them into successful business enterprises, aligning with the vision of "Sahakar-se-Samriddhi" (Cooperation for Prosperity).
  • The plan focuses on establishing agri-infrastructure, including warehouses, custom hiring centres, and processing units, at the PACS level.
    • India has over 1,00,000 PACS with a vast membership base of more than 13 crore farmers.
    • Given their significant role in the agricultural and rural landscape, the plan seeks to empower PACS by creating decentralised storage capacity and other necessary infrastructure.
    • This transformation will enhance the economic viability of PACS and contribute to the growth of the Indian agricultural sector.
• Benefits:
  • Addressing Infrastructure Shortage: The plan aims to establish godowns at the level of PACS to alleviate the shortage of agricultural storage infrastructure in the country.
  • Diversification of PACS Activities: PACS will be empowered to undertake various activities, including functioning as procurement centres for state agencies or the Food Corporation of India (FCI), serving as fair price shops, and setting up custom hiring centres and common processing units.
    • This diversification will enhance the incomes of farmer members.
  • Reduction of Food Grain Wastage: By creating decentralised storage capacity at the local level, the plan aims to reduce grain wastage, contributing to improved food security.
  • Preventing Distress Sale: The plan provides farmers with various options, preventing distress sale of crops and enabling them to realise better prices for their produce.
  • Cost Reduction: The establishment of storage facilities at the PACS level will significantly reduce transportation costs of food grains to procurement centres and fair price shops.

Source: IE

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee: UNEP

Why in News?

Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has gathered in Paris, France, for the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2).

• The first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) concluded in Uruguay in 2022.
• INC-2 aimed to set the stage for negotiations on the substance of a global deal to end plastic pollution to edge closer to protecting ecosystems, species and humanity from the grave impacts of the linear plastics economy.

What are the Key Highlights of INC-2 Meeting?

• The primary agenda of INC-2 was to adopt the rules of procedure. The rules govern various aspects such as the negotiation process, decision-making procedures (consensus or voting), and the entities authorized to make decisions.
• During the previous INC-1 meeting, a part of Rule 37, stating "each member shall have one vote," was kept in brackets, indicating unresolved disagreement.
  • The bracketed part now includes provisions from the Minamata Convention, allowing regional economic integration organizations (such as the European Union) to vote on behalf of their member states. However, the member states must be present during voting or as part of the committee.
• India has consistently insisted on bracketing Rule 38, which states, “The Committee shall make every effort to reach agreement on all matters of substance by consensus.
  • If all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted and no agreement has been reached, the decision shall, as a last resort, be taken by a two-thirds majority of the representatives of Members who are present and voting.”
• The formation of the OEWG (Open-Ended Working Group) has delayed the start of discussions in the contact groups on substantive matters.
  • In UNEA resolution 5/14, the assembly mandated an ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) to lay the groundwork for negotiations.

What is the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC)?

• About:
  • The INC was established in February 2022, at the 5^th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2).
  • A historic resolution (5/14) was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment with the ambition to complete the negotiations by the end of 2024.
• Need:
  • The rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious global environmental issue that negatively impacts the environmental, social, economic and health dimensions of sustainable development.
  • In the absence of necessary interventions, the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems could nearly triple from some 9–14 million tonnes per year in 2016 to a projected 23–37 million tons per year by 2040.
• Objective:
  • Under the legally binding agreement, countries will be expected to develop, implement and update national action plans reflecting country-driven approaches to contribute to the objectives of the instrument.
  • They will be expected to promote national action plans to work towards the prevention, reduction and elimination of plastic pollution and to support regional and international cooperation.

What is the United Nations Environment Assembly?

• It is the governing body of the UN Environment Programme.
• It is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment.
• The Assembly is made up of the 193 UN Member States and convenes every two years to advance global environmental governance.
• It was created in June 2012, during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also referred to as RIO+20.

Source: DTE

Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan Launched

Why in News?

Recently, the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan was launched as a part of the Government of India's initiative to convert waste to wealth and promote a circular economy.

What are the Key Features of the Portal?

• About:
  • The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, has developed the portal to facilitate the setting up of Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants.
• Objectives and Scope:
  • The portal acts as a one-stop repository for assessing investment and participation in the Biogas/CBG sector at the pan India level.
  • It streamlines the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants
• Enrollment:
  • Any government, cooperative, or private entity intending to set up a Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India can enroll in the portal and obtain a registration number.
    • The registration number enables access to various benefits and support from the Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.
  • States are advised to prioritize the registration of their CBG/Biogas plant operators on the portal to avail existing and upcoming support from the Union Government.
• Benefits:
  • Stakeholder Participation:
    • The launch of the portal demonstrates cooperative federalism, with stakeholders from central Ministries, line departments of the Centre and States collaborating on its development and deployment.
    • The Union Minister of Jal Shakti emphasizes the significant achievements in waste to wealth generation through more than 650 GOBARdhan plants and the unified registration portal.
  • Ease of Doing Business:
    • The portal ensures ease of doing business and attracts greater investment from private players in the Biogas/CBG sector.
  • Aligns with Climate Action Goals:
    • It aligns with India's climate action goals, promotes clean energy, rural employment, improved health outcomes, and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Govt. of India’s Mission LiFE.
  • Strengthen Supply Chain:
    • The Union Government aims to strengthen the CBG/Biogas supply chain through biomass aggregation, grid pipeline connectivity, organic farming practices, research and development, and continuous engagement with stakeholders.

What is GOBARdhan Initiative?

• About:
  • Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a crucial umbrella initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
  • In 2018, the government launched this scheme as a national priority project under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase II program.
• Objective:
  • To support villages safely manage their cattle waste, agricultural waste and in long run all organic waste.
  • To support communities convert their cattle and organic waste to wealth using decentralized systems.
  • Promote environmental sanitation and curb vector borne diseases through effective disposal of waste in rural areas.
  • Convert organic waste, especially cattle waste to biogas and fertilizer for use in rural areas.
• Potential Benefits:
  • Effective biodegradable waste management.
  • Reduction of GHG emission.
  • Reduction in import of crude oil.
  • Employment opportunity for the local community.
  • Boost to entrepreneurship.
  • Additional income for farmers/ local village community from organic waste.
  • Promotion of organic farming.
• Models of Scheme:
  • Individual Household:
    • This model can be adopted by households which have three (3) or more cattles. The biogas and slurry generated from the plants are used for cooking and as manure by the households.
  • Community:
    • The Biogas plants can be constructed for a minimum number of households (5 to 10). The plants can be operated and managed by GP/SHGs.
    • The gas generated will be supplied to households/restaurants / institutions and slurry can be used by the community as organic manure in agriculture or sold to farmers.
  • Cluster:
    • In this model, individual Biogas plants are installed in number of households in a village/ group of villages.
    • The biogas generated is used by the households and the slurry is collected at a common place, separated to solid and liquid parts and then fortified and sold as biofertilizers.
  • Commercial CBG:
    • CBG plants can be set up by Entrepreneurs / Cooperative Societies/ Gaushalas etc.
    • The raw biogas produced is compressed and can be used as vehicular fuel and / or sold to industries.
    • The slurry generated is converted into organic manure / bio-fertilizer and can be sold to farmers.

Source: PIB

Third Employment Working Group Meet

Why in News?  

The Indian G20 Presidency is organising the third Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.  

• This meeting, which aligns with the ILO's annual International Labour Conference, brings together delegates from G20 member countries, guest countries, and international organizations including International Labour Organization (ILO), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Social Security Association (ISSA), World Bank (WB). 

What are the Major Highlights of the Meet?  

• Priority Areas: 
  • The Indian Presidency has identified three priority areas for the EWG in 2023:  
    • Addressing Global Skill Gaps: This area focuses on developing strategies to bridge the skill gaps prevalent in the global workforce and enhance employability. 
    • Gig and Platform Economy and Social Protection: Discussions centre around ensuring social protection for workers in the gig and platform economy, considering the evolving nature of work. 
      • The gig and platform economy refers to a modern work arrangement where individuals perform short-term, freelance, or on-demand tasks or services through digital platforms or apps.  
      • It is characterised by the temporary and flexible nature of work, facilitated by online platforms that connect service providers (often referred to as gig workers) with customers or clients. 
    • Sustainable Financing of Social Protection: This area emphasises the importance of sustainable financing models to support social protection initiatives and provide safety nets for workers. 
•  Phases of the Meet:  
  • The EWG meeting is organised in four different phases in different cities in India.  
    • The first phase was held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in February 2023. 
    • The second phase was held in Guwahati, Assam, in April 2023. 
    • The third phase is being held in Geneva from 31^st May to 2^nd June 2023. 
    • The fourth and final phase will be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in July 2023. 

What is an Employment Working Group?  

• About:  
  • The Employment Working Group (EWG) is a forum established within the G20 framework to address issues related to employment, labour markets, and social policies. 
  • It serves as a platform for G20 member countries and relevant international organisations to engage in discussions, share experiences, and develop policy recommendations on employment-related matters. 
• Purpose: 
  • The main purpose of the EWG is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth by fostering job creation, improving labour market outcomes, and ensuring social protection for workers.  

What is the International Labour Organization? 

• About:  
  • The ILO is one of the international knowledge partners of the Ministry of Labour and Employment that provides technical expertise to the EWG.  
  • The ILO is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. 
  • Founded in October 1919 (Treaty of Versailles) under the League of Nations, it is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN. 
• Members:
  • The ILO has a tripartite structure that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers from its 187 member states.  
    • India is a founder member of the International Labour Organization.  
• International Labour Conference:  
  • The ILO also hosts an annual International Labour Conference in Geneva that sets the International labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO. 
    • It is often referred to as an International Parliament of Labour. 
• Means of Action: 
  • The principal means of action in the ILO is the setting up of the International Labour Standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations. 
    • Conventions are international treaties and are instruments, which create legally binding obligations on the countries that ratify them. 
    • Recommendations are non-binding and set out guidelines orienting national policies and actions.  
• Achievements:  
  • Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969. 
    • For improving peace among classes 
    • Pursuing decent work and justice for workers 
    • Providing technical assistance to other developing nation 
• Major Reports Released by ILO: 
  • World Employment and Social Outlook  
  • World Social Protection Report 
  • Global Wage Report  

Source: PIB

Appointment of Vice-Chancellors of State Universities

Why in News?

A tussle between the Chief Minister of West Bengal and Governor came to the fore over the appointment of 10 senior professors as interim Vice-Chancellors (VC) of state-run universities.

• The Education Minister of West Bengal urged the professors to refuse the appointments and is seeking legal opinion.

What is the Role of Governor and President in the Universities?

• State Universities:
  • In the state universities, the Governor of the state is the ex-officio chancellor of the universities in that state.
  • While as Governor he functions with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, as Chancellor he acts independently of the Council of Ministers and takes his own decisions on all University matters.
  • According to the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018, the VC of a university, in general, is appointed by the Visitor/Chancellor, from a panel of three to five names recommended by the duly constituted Search cum Selection Committee.
    • Where there is a conflict between the State University Act and the UGC Regulations, 2018 to the extent State legislation is repugnant, the UGC Regulations, 2018 shall prevail.
      • According to Article 254(1), if any provision of a state law is repugnant to a provision in a law made by the Parliament, which the Parliament is competent to enact, or with any existing law regarding any matter in the Concurrent List, then the Parliamentary law would prevail over the State law.
• Central Universities:
  • Under the Central Universities Act, 2009, the President of India shall be the Visitor of a central university.
  • With their role limited to presiding over convocations, Chancellors in central universities are titular heads, who are appointed by the President in his capacity as Visitor.
  • The Vice Chancellor is appointed by the Visitor from panels of names picked by search and selection committees formed by the Union government.
  • A visitor is empowered to call for a set of fresh names in case of dissatisfaction with the given panel.
  • The Act adds that the President, as Visitor, shall have the right to authorize inspections of academic and non-academic aspects of the universities and to institute inquiries.

What is the Role of Vice-Chancellor?

• As per the constitution of the University, the Vice- Chancellor (VC) is considered the ‘Principal Academic and Executive Officer of the University’.
• As head of the University, he/she is expected to function as a ‘bridge’ between the executive and the academic wing of the university.
• It is to facilitate this expected role that universities are always in search of persons with values, personality characteristics and integrity in addition to academic excellence and administrative experience.
• The reports of the Radhakrishnan Commission (1948), Kothari Commission (1964-1966), Gnanam Committee (1990) and Ramlal Parikh Committee (1993) have highlighted the importance of the role of VC in maintaining the quality and relevance of universities, in addition to its growth and development, keeping in view, the much-needed changes from time to time.
• He shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Court, Executive Council, Academic Council, Finance Committee and Selection Committees and shall, in the absence of the Chancellor preside at any convocation of the university for conferring degrees.
• It shall be the duty of the Vice-Chancellor to see that the provisions of the Act, Statutes and Ordinances and Regulations are fully observed, and he should have the power necessary for the discharge of this duty.

What are the Tussles between CMs of several Indian States and Governors over Appointment of VC?

• Recently, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed two Bills that seek to transfer the Governor’s power in appointing Vice-Chancellors (VC) of 13 state universities to the state government.
• A bill from West Bengal seeking to make the chief minister the chancellor of all state-run universities, replacing the governor, was passed by the assembly in 2022 (still Pending for Assent of Governor).
• Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, state laws underline the need for concurrence between the state and the Governor.

Way Forward

• The time may have come for all States to reconsider having the Governor as the Chancellor.
• However, they should also find alternative means of protecting university autonomy so that ruling parties do not exercise undue influence on the functioning of universities.

Source: TH

PM SVANidhi Scheme

Why in News?

Over 46.54 lakh small working capital loans have been disbursed to street vendors under the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) in the three years since it was launched on June 1, 2020.

• A total of 46,54,302 loans had been disbursed. Out of those loans, about 40% (18,50,987) have been repaid so far.

What are the Key Features of the PM-SVANidhi?

• About:
  • It is a Central Sector Scheme i.e., fully funded by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with the following objectives:
    • To facilitate working capital loan;
    • To incentivize regular repayment; and
    • To reward digital transactions
  • Introduction of 3^rd term loan of up to ₹50,000 in addition to 1^st & 2^nd loans of ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 respectively.
  • The loans would be without collateral.
• Lending Agencies:
  • Microfinance Institutions, Non-Banking Financial Company, Self Help Groups have been allowed due to their ground level presence and proximity to the urban poor including the street vendors.
• Eligibility:
  • States/Union Territories (UTs):
    • The Scheme is available for beneficiaries belonging to only those States/UTs which have notified Rules and Scheme under Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
    • Beneficiaries from Meghalaya, which has its own State Street Vendors Act may, however, participate.
• Street Vendors:
  • The Scheme is available to all street vendors engaged in vending in urban areas.
    • Earlier the Scheme was available to all street vendors engaged in vending on or before March 24, 2020.
• Benefits of Early Repayment:
  • Interest Subsidy:
    • On timely/early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy of 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer on a six monthly basis.
  • Credit Limits Extension:
    • The scheme provides for the rise of the credit limit on timely/ early repayment of loans i.e. if a street vendor repays the installments on time or earlier, he or she can develop his or her credit score that makes him/her eligible for a higher amount of term loan.
  • No-Penalty on Early Repayment:
    • There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan.
    • Early repayment (or resettlement) is a clearance of debt or loan before the scheduled time.
    • Many banks and lenders charge penalties for repaying loans early.
• E-governance:
  • Encourage Digital Transactions:
    • The scheme incentivises digital transactions by the street vendors through monthly cash back.
  • Transparency:
    • In line with the vision of leveraging technology to ensure effective delivery and transparency, a digital platform with web portal/ mobile app is being developed to administer the scheme with end-to-end solution.
      • This platform will integrate the web portal/ mobile app with UdyamiMitra portal of SIDBI for credit management and PAiSA portal of MoHUA to administer interest subsidy automatically.
  • Financial Inclusion:
    • It will help in integrating the vendors into the formal financial system.
• Focus on Capacity Building:
  • MoHUA in collaboration with State Governments will launch a capacity building and financial literacy programme of all the stakeholders and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities throughout the country
• Role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):
  • ULBs will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the scheme by ensuring to target the beneficiary and reaching to them in an efficient manner.

Source: IE

India's Transformation: Morgan Stanley's Report

Why in News?

A recent report by Morgan Stanley (global financial services firm) highlights the significant changes that have taken place in India over the past decade.

• The report challenges the skepticism surrounding India's potential and emphasizes the transformative reforms implemented in recent years.
• Morgan Stanley counters global opinions of India's underperformance. It emphasizes India's growth as the second-fastest-growing economy and top-performing stock market.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Significant Growth Drivers:
  • Supply-Side Policy Reforms:
    • Bringing corporate tax at par with other countries.
    • Acceleration of infrastructure investment.
  • Formalization of the Economy:
    • Rising collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
  • Implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
  • Introduction of flexible inflation targeting.
  • Focus on foreign direct investment (FDI).
  • Government support for corporate profits.
  • Digitalizing Social Transfers.
  • Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act .
  • Multi-year high sentiment among multinational corporations (MNCs).
  • India’s 401(k) Moment.

• Economic Indicators:
  • Manufacturing and capital spending as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) have consistently risen.
  • Export market share is projected to double to 4.5% by 2031(from 2021 level).
  • Lower volatility in inflation and shallower interest rate cycles has impacted consumption patterns.
• Future Outlook:
  • Anticipated rise in manufacturing and capital spending in GDP.
  • Expected broad-based gains in goods and services exports.
  • Per capita income is projected to increase and implications for discretionary consumption.
    • It is expected to clock in at $5,200 within the next decade.
  • Structural transformation contributing to a narrower current account deficit (CAD).
  • Doubling of profits in GDP, resulting in strong earnings growth.
• Implications on Stock Market:
  • There is a possibility of higher valuations for domestic shares, which could lead to increased investment opportunities.
  • The demand for stocks within India is expected to remain strong, contributing to sustained growth in the market.
  • India's reduced dependence on global capital flows may contribute to a more stable stock market, with less vulnerability to international market fluctuations.
    • The stock market may become less influenced by changes in oil prices and the US recession.
  • India's beta to emerging markets falling to 0.6, which is a consequence of reduced dependence on global capital market flows.

• Anticipated Key Risks:
  • Global recession.
  • Sharp rise in commodity prices and supply outages.
  • Shortages in skilled labor supply.

Source: FE

Rapid Fire Current Affairs

Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO)

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India has recently introduced the Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) Pilot initiative with the ambitious goal of establishing India as the Repair Capital of the World. The primary objective of this initiative is to position India as the most appealing destination for repairing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products on a global scale.

The ERSO industry is projected to contribute up to USD 20 billion in revenue to India within the next five years, while also creating numerous employment opportunities. The pilot project, which will be conducted in Bengaluru, is scheduled to last for three months. Notably, this initiative aligns with Mission LiFE, which is dedicated to promoting global environmental sustainability. By facilitating affordable and dependable repair services for ICT products, the ERSO initiative aims to extend the lifespan of devices worldwide.

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Fiscal Deficit Target Narrows To 6.4%

In the financial year 2022-23, the Centre's fiscal deficit decreased to 6.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as estimated in the budget announcement made in February. The government aims to further reduce the fiscal deficit to 5.9% of the GDP in the current financial year 2023-24. During 2022-23, as part of devolution of taxes, the central government transferred ₹9.48 lakh crore to the State governments, showing an increase of ₹50,015 crore compared to the previous year (2021-22). In FY2023, the government witnessed a healthy growth of 15.2% in net tax revenues, despite a 17.8% contraction in non-tax revenues.

Fiscal deficit is the difference between the government's total expenditure and its total revenue (excluding borrowings). It is an indicator of the extent to which the government must borrow in order to finance its operations and is expressed as a percentage of the country's GDP.

Read More: Fiscal Deficit

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GDP Expanded 6.1% in 2022-23 Last Quarter

India's GDP(Gross Domestic Product) growth accelerated to 6.1% in the January to March 2023 quarter, lifting the economy’s uptick in 2022-23 to 7.2% from the 7% estimated earlier. India's 6.1% GDP growth was the fastest among major economies in the fourth quarter.

Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy is reckoned to have risen 7% in 2022-23, compared to 8.8% in 2021-22, with manufacturing GVA growth sliding to just 1.3% from 11.1% a year ago, despite a 4.5% rebound in the final quarter after six months of contraction.

Only three of eight broad economic activity segments recorded a higher GVA growth than in 2021-22, with the agricultural GVA growing 4%, up from 3.5% in the previous year. Consumption remained on lower side despite positive surprises in several sectors, especially in the last quarter of the year.

The higher-than-expected GDP growth in 2022-23 could temper growth expectations for 2023-24, which the government and central bank expect to be around 6.5%.

Read More: GDP and GVA

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Regional Office of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in New Delhi

The establishment of a Regional Office of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in New Delhi has been approved by India's Union Cabinet. This decision allows India to actively engage in multilateral organizations within the postal sector, with a specific focus on South-South and Triangular cooperation. India will contribute staff and provide the necessary office setup for the UPU's regional office, which will be responsible for carrying out development cooperation and providing technical assistance in the region. The office will undertake various projects aimed at enhancing the capacity, efficiency, and quality of postal services, as well as advancing postal technology, e-commerce, and trade promotion. Through this initiative, India aims to expand its diplomatic presence, strengthen relationships with other countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, and enhance its participation in global postal forums.