CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS
World UFO Day
- The World UFO Day is celebrated by some on June 24 and by others on July 2.
- The World UFO Day is celebrated to create awareness about Unidentified Flying Objects and alien life forms.
- In 2001, an organisation World UFO Day Organisation (WUFODO) decided to celebrate this day as all the UFO enthusiasts gather to show evidence they collected to support the theory of the existence of extraterrestrial beings.
National Anisette Day
- National Anisette Day is observed on 2nd July every year and is popular in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France.
- Aniseed from the anis herb gives anisette its licorice or fennel flavor. While usually a dry dry liqueur, distillers sometimes add a sugar syrup for a sweeter result.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL
MoRTH prepares blueprint for scheme of cashless treatment of motor accident victims
- The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has prepared a blueprint for implementing the scheme of cashless treatment of motor accident victims. The scheme also includes creation of a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
- The Ministry has asked the States and Union Territories to share their views by the 10th of this month. The National Health Authority with over 21 thousand hospitals on board has been entrusted to implement the scheme.
- It has been envisaged in the scheme to provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in the country. The fund would be utilized for treatment of road accident victims and for payment of compensation to the injured or to the family of person losing life in hit and run cases.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE
“Dream Kerala project” announced for rehabilitation of Keralites returning from abroad
- Kerala has announced “Dream Kerala project” for rehabilitation of the Keralites returning from abroad and for the overall development of the State.
- The project aims, not only, the rehabilitation of returnees but also, using their skill and knowledge for reviving the State.
- The various departments under the State Govt will be coordinating the project. Through the Dream Kerala project , ideas and suggestions from public will be invited.
- Steering committee headed by Chief Minister is entrusted with the task of making the final decision on ideas selected.
- Stipulated time frame has been fixed for early implementation of projects.
About Kerala:
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrated in Maharashtra
- Ashadhi Ekadashi, one of the most significant festivals in Maharashtra which also marks the culmination of the pilgrimage undertaken by the Warkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthal) from different parts of the state on their feet to travel hundreds of kilometres to reach temple town Pandharpur in Solapur district.
- As per the tradition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray performed the Mahapooja of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini at the temple town of Pandharpur in the wee hours.
- The CM prayed to make Maharashtra and the country free of Corona virus and to grant peace and prosperity to farmers in the state.
About Maharashtra:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
- Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Andhra Pradesh CM inaugurates cancer care centre at GGH in Guntur
- Andhra Pradesh Chief MinisterS. Jagan Mohan Reddy remotely inaugurated a comprehensive cancer care centre jointly set up by the State government and the NATCO Trust at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur, from his camp office.
- On the occasion, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy complimented NATCO Trust chairman Nannapaneni Venkaiah Chowdary for collaborating with the government in providing free cancer treatment to the poor.
- The cancer centre, which has the approval of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), would render medical, surgical and radiological services. Another such centre was being established in Kurnool, and it was targeted to be completed in a year.
About Andhra Pradesh:
- Capital: Amaravati, Hyderabad
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE
World Bank approves $750 mn emergency response fund for India’s MSME sector
- The World Bank approved a $750 million loan to support increased flow of finance into the hands of India’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), severely impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
- The World Bank’s MSME Emergency Response program will aim to address the immediate liquidity and credit needs of some 1.5 million viable MSMEs to help them withstand the impact of the current shock and protect millions of jobs.
- This takes the World Bank’s total commitment to $2.75 billion to support India’s emergency Covid-19 response.
- The first $1 billion emergency support was announced in April this year for immediate support to India’s health sector. Another $1 billion project was approved in May to increase cash transfers and food benefits to the poor and vulnerable, including a more consolidated delivery platform – accessible to both rural and urban populations across state boundaries.
About World Bank
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- President: David R. Malpass
RBI announces special liquidity scheme for NBFCs and HFCs through SPV
- The government of India has approved a scheme to improve the liquidity position of NBFCs/HFCs through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to avoid any potential systemic risks to the financial sector. To be eligible under the scheme, RBI laid out the conditions:
- The Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFCs), including Microfinance Institutions that are registered with the RBI, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, excluding those registered as Core Investment Companies.
- Housing Finance Companies that are registered under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987
- CRAR/CAR of NBFCs/HFCs should not be below the regulatory minimum, i.e., 15% and 12% respectively as on March 31, 2019.
- The net non-performing assets should not be more than 6% as on March 31, 2019.
- They should have made net profit in at least one of the last two preceding financial years (i.e. 2017-18 and 2018-19)
- They should not have been reported under SMA-1 or SMA-2 category by any bank for their borrowings during last one year prior to August 01, 2018
- They should be rated investment grade by a SEBI registered rating agency
- They should comply with the requirement of the SPV for an appropriate level of collateral from the entity, which, however, would be optional and to be decided by the SPV.
- SBICAP which is a subsidiary of the State Bank of India has set up a SPV (SLS Trust) to manage this operation. The SPV will purchase the short-term papers from eligible NBFCs/HFCs, who shall utilise the proceeds under this scheme solely for the purpose of extinguishing existing liabilities. The instruments will be CPs and NCDs with a residual maturity of not more than three months and rated as investment grade.
- The facility will not be available for any paper issued after September 30, 2020 and the SPV would cease to make fresh purchases after September 30, 2020 and would recover all dues by December 31, 2020.
About RBI:
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governors: B.P. Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain and M. D. Patra
HDFC Bank launches instant auto loan product
- HDFC Bank announced its plans to offer instant auto loans called ZipDrive to its customers in 1,000 cities.
- The offering is now being extended to Tier 2 and 3 cities, such as Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh, Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, Thalassery in Kerala, and Balasore in Odisha among other places, across India.
- The move comes amidst demand for entry-level cars as people try to avoid public transport.
- Under the scheme, HDFC Bank customers are given pre-approved loan offers using the bank’s proprietary algorithm and analytics.
About HDFC Bank:
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- MD and CEO: Aditya Puri
- Tagline: We Understand Your World
CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION
Shri Ravinder Bhakar assumes charge as CEO, CBFC
- Shri Ravinder Bhakar, has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Board of Films Certification (CBFC).
- Prior to his appointment as CEO, CBFC, Mr. Bhakar was posted as the Secretary & Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railways.
- He replaces Anurag Srivastava.
About CBFC
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Chairperson: Prasoon Joshi
