CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS
Pi Approximation Day
- Pi Approximation Day is observed on 22 July every year because of the value of Pi that is 22/7.
- Whereas Pi Day is celebrated on 14 March which is similar to the approximate value of 3.14 and also coincides with Albert Einstein’s birthday.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL
Employees’ Welfare Scheme Launched In Arun Jaitley’s Name In Rajya Sabha
- The Rajya Sabha secretariat has launched an Employees’ Welfare Scheme in the name of former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, who was also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.
- The scheme has been formulated and approved based on the decision of Sangeeta Jaitley, wife of the senior leader who passed away in August last year.
- “Shri Arun Jaitley Financial Assistance for Group C Employees” scheme seeks to benefit group “C” employees of the secretariat by awarding their children three scholarships for higher technical and professional education.
- The employees will be extended financial support in case of death and medical emergency.
About Rajya Sabha
- Chairperson: M. Venkaiah Naidu
- Deputy Leader of the House: Piyush Goyal, BJP
- Deputy Chairman: Harivansh Narayan Singh, JDU
CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL
India, Maldives sign agreement for establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in Male
- India and Maldives have signed an agreement for establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in capital Male.
- It is one of the several small and medium projects that are being financed by India under a grant assistance of around 20 million US dollars for the neighboring country.
- The emergency medical service unit will enhance timely access to quality emergency care.
- It will increase collaboration between healthcare facilities and disaster response agencies, especially during critical times of need.
About Maldives
- Capital: Malé
- Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
- President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
EU approves biggest green stimulus in history with $572-billion plan
- The plan is part of Europe’s bid to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050
- European governments approved the most ambitious climate change plan to date, agreeing to pour more than €500 billion ($572 billion) into everything from electric cars to renewable energy and agriculture.
- At a marathon five-day summit in Brussels, heads of government reached a deal on an unprecedented economic rescue plan and seven-year budget for the region worth €1.8 trillion ($2 trillion). Almost a third of that is earmarked for climate action, offering the bloc’s 27 nations a chance to develop clean energy resources, stimulate the market for emissions-free cars, invest in budding technologies, and promote energy efficiency.
- The plan is part of Europe’s bid to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, putting it ahead of other major emitters such as the US, China, and India in the global fight against unstoppable temperature rise. The proportion of the European package earmarked for climate projects illustrates that contrast dramatically.
- Only $54 billion of the trillions of dollars of recovery funds pledged globally will be channelled into green policies, while $697 billion has been allocated for carbon-intensive sectors such as air travel and fossil fuel extraction, according to a Bloomberg NEF report released prior to the EUs stimulus deal.
- Germany’s recovery plans are among the greenest so far, with about a third of the €130 billion ($145 billion) recovery budget going into areas such as public transport and development of green hydrogen.
- The UK’s plan has fallen short of previous climate-related promises and is far behind its European neighbours. The country has so far announced £5.4 billion ($6.8 billion) in measures such as boosting green homes and supporting carbon capture technology.
- China will invest 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in electric vehicle chargers and will support new renewable energy plants, though it has also cleared the way for new coal projects.
About European Union:
- President of the Commission: Ursula von der Leyen
- Capital: Brussels
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE
Banks sanction over Rs 1.27 lakh cr loans under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
- There is an increase of over 4,237 crore rupees in the cumulative amount of loans sanctioned and over 9,301 crore rupees in the cumulative amount of loans disbursed by both public and private sector banks till now as compared to 15th of July.
- As of 20th of July, the total amount sanctioned under the 100 percent Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) by the banks stands at over 1.27 lakh crore, of which over 77,613 crore rupees have already been disbursed.
- Finance Ministry stated under the 100 percent ECLGS, the loan amounts sanctioned by Public Sector Banks increased to over 70,894 crore rupees of which over 45,797 crore rupees have been disbursed.
About Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS):
- Emergency credit line guarantee scheme (ECLGS) or Guaranteed emergency credit line scheme (GECL) is a part of COVID Loan by the Government of India for MSME units in the current scenario of COVID 19. This is a pre approved loan of Rs Three Lakh Crore designed for the revival of MSME units.
LIC-UBI announce corporate agency pact
