Current affairs 12 March 2025 | Regulating AI | Soil Fertility Mapping | AAHAR 2025

Overhauling the Compliance Framework: 

India is addressing challenges in its business environment, including corruption, frequent compliance updates, and regulatory inefficiencies.

The Jan Vishwas Act (2023) and the proposed Jan Vishwas 2.0 aim to reduce regulatory harassment and improve the investment climate. A unified compliance identity system and predictable regulations are crucial for enhancing India’s investment attractiveness.

Regulating AI: 

The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is facing significant hurdles due to geopolitical rivalries, fragmented legal frameworks, and ambiguous accountability.

Comprehensive governance strategies are necessary to address these challenges and ensure responsible AI development.

NGO Initiative for Mini-Forest: 

Pasumai Vidhaigal, an NGO in Kancheepuram district, has planted over 1,000 fruit tree saplings at the Ullavoor government school to create a mini-forest.

This initiative promotes environmental awareness among students and encourages community participation. The NGO has distributed 2.7 lakh saplings and created 28 Miyawaki forests across the region over the past 10 years.

Soil Fertility Mapping: 

The Soil & Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) has generated digital soil fertility maps for 351 villages across 34 districts in Maharashtra.

This initiative aims to enhance soil productivity and optimize fertilizer use, benefiting farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: 

The government has extended the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) till 2025-26 with an outlay of ₹69,515.71 crore.

A new grievance redressal mechanism, including the Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH), has been introduced to enhance transparency and timely claim settlements.

AAHAR 2025: 

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) showcased India’s agricultural and processed food excellence at AAHAR 2025.

The event emphasized India’s strength in agri-exports, plant-based foods, and food processing innovation, with 95 exhibitors from 17 states and UTs.

Grant in Aid to NCDC: 

The Ministry of Cooperation has provided a ₹1,000 crore grant to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to strengthen Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs).

The grant aims to leverage ₹10,000 crore in financial assistance for ethanol plants, cogeneration units, and working capital support.

Immigration Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha: 

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, was introduced in Lok Sabha to streamline immigration laws governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners in India.

The Opposition raised concerns over its constitutional validity and sought its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

WFI Suspension Revoked: 

The Union government revoked the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), restoring its status as a National Sports Federation (NSF).

The suspension was lifted after the WFI complied with governance norms and shifted its office location.

Greenland Elections: 

Greenland held parliamentary elections that could shape its future course—either toward full independence or continued ties with Denmark.

The elections highlight the geopolitical interests in Greenland’s resources and strategic location.