Current Affairs 08th June 2021| Current Affairs News

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Oceans Day – Observed on June 08

• World Oceans Day is an international day that takes place annually on 8 June.
• The themefor World Oceans Day 2021 is ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’.
• The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• The purpose of the Dayis to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Income Tax Department initiates its new e-filing portal 

• Newe-filing website (www.incometax.gov.in) launch:The IncomeTax Department launched its new e-filing portalincometax.gov.in.
• The Income Tax Department will launch a new e–filing portalto further ease the filing of income tax returns (ITRs).
• The e–portal, which, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) mentioned, it will provide a “modern, seamless” experience to taxpayers, will be available at www.incometax.gov.in.

Govt continues Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till diwali

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till Diwali this year to ensure free ration is provided to those in need.
• As part of the central scheme, 80 crore Indians will receive a fixed quantity of food grains per month till November.
• PM Modi stated, “In this time of pandemic, the government is standing by the poor in their every need, as their partner”.

About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana:

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is a food security welfare scheme announced by the Government of India in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
• The program is operated by the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar releases Model Panchayat Citizens Charter

• A Model Panchayat Citizens Charter/ framework for delivery of the services across the 29 sectors, aligning actions with localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as prepared by Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) was released by Union Minister of Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Panchayati Raj Shri Narendra Singh Tomar through virtual program for the Panchayats to adopt & customize.
• The Citizen Charter would ensure transparent and effective delivery of public services for sustainable development and enhanced citizen service experiences; deepening inclusive and accountable Local Self Governments by incorporating diverse views while designing and delivering services.
• Gram Panchayat Citizen Charter is to empower the citizens in relation to public services and to improve the quality of services without any prejudice, and in accordance with the expectations of the citizens.

Govt moderates pension norms for families of deceased staff

• Central government has raised upper ceiling for family pensionfrom Rs 45,000 to Rs 1, 25,000 per month to provide ‘ease of living’ for the family members of the deceased employees and would provide adequate financial security to them.
• In case of death of both parents of a child, he/she is eligible to draw two family pensions.
• Now this amount has been hike and clarifications in this regard have been issued too.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and UK launch new work stream 

• India along with the Govt. of United Kingdom launched a new work stream to promote industrial energy efficiency under the Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) – Industrial Deep Decarburization Initiative (IDDI) coordinated by UNIDO, at the 12th Chief Energy Ministerial (CEM).
• The 12th CEM is ongoing from May 31st and will continue till 6th June 2021.
• The IDDI initiative has been supported by Germany and Canada, with more countries expected to join soon.
• The objective is to infuse green technologies and stimulate demand for low-carbon industrial material.
• Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power highlighted that India is committed to cut emissions intensity per unit of GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030.

About UK:

• Capital: London
• Prime minister: Boris Johnson
• Currency: Pound sterling

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Raimona Became Assam’s 6^th National Park

• Raimona in Assam’s Kokrajhar district was declared as the state’s sixth national park.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made an announcement in this regard on the occasion of World Environment Day.
• The state’s Environment and Forest Department has issued a notification declaring Raimona as a national park.
• The chief minister mentioned a process was on to also convert the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park.

About Assam:

• Capital: Dispur
• Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi

Kerala govt Launches ‘Knowledge Economy Mission’

• The State government has launched the Knowledge Economy Missionto bring the ongoing efforts to provide employment to the educated and support ‘knowledge workers’ under a single programme.
• It was spearheaded by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and that they will submit a comprehensive project report before July 15.
• State CM stated that, “At the heart of the initiative is a comprehensive digital platform for educated youngsters which help them upskill, enhance knowledge and empower them to face the challenges of ever-changing job market”.
• The chief minister mentioned this digital platform will create a great opportunity for those who took a break from work and jobless to connect with global employers.
• The digital platform was developed in collaboration with the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (formerly IIITM-K).

About Kerala:

• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
• Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

GST collections crossed at Rs 1.03 lakh crore for May 2021

• MS Mani, senior director, Deloitte India stated, “Collections above Rs 1 lakh crore pertaining to the transactions in the month of April 21 indicates that the economic impact of the lockdowns has been much lower than expected”.
• He added that a close watch is required on the next month’s collections to determine the extent of the impact on GST collections for FY 22.
• Gross GST revenue collected in the month of May 2021, Central GST is Rs 17,592 crore, State GST is Rs 22,653 integrated GST is Rs 53,199 crore (including Rs 26,002 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess is Rs 9,265 crore (including Rs 868 crore collected on import of goods).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING NEWS         

World Bank sanctioned USD 500 million program to help boost India’s MSME sector

• The World Bankhas approved a USD 500 million program to help boost India’s MSME sector.
• The programme targets improvements in the performance of five lakh 50 thousandMSMEs.
• Out of some 58 million MSMEsin the country, more than 40 per cent lack access to formal sources of finance.
• The USD 500 million Raising and Accelerating Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Performance (RAMP) Program is the World Bank’s second intervention in this sector, the first being the USD 750 million MSME Emergency Response Program, approved in July 2020 to address the immediate liquidity and credit needs of millions of viable MSMEs severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

SBI funds Rs.3725 Cr for Noida International Airport

• The Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL) has received the final credit sanction for Rs 3725 crore from the State Bank of India (SBI) for the development of Noida International Airport (NIA).
• The funding is a crucial milestone for the project as it validates the financial viability of the project while also outlining the next steps for the establishment of the Noida International Airport.
• The entire loan of INR 3725 crore has been underwritten by SBI on a door-to-door loan tenor of 20 years.
• We look forward to working closely with SBI to develop NIA as a world-class airport in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Facebook appointed Spoorthi Priya as grievance officer

• Social media platform Facebook named Spoorthi Priya as its grievance officer for India.
• This move comes close on the heels of the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, coming into force last month. According to the new government guidelines, social media companies with over 50 lakh users have to appoint a grievance officer, nodal officer and a chief compliance officer.

KK Maheshwari appointed as head of ANMI

• KK Maheshwari has assumed the role of new president of Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI), India’s largest stock exchange member’s body, with a 5-pronged priority agenda for the next couple of months in view of the ‘New Normal’ for the industry forced upon by the Coronavirus pandemic.
• He takes over from the outgoing president Anup Khandelwal, who led ANMI with distinguishing excellence during a period marked by widespread disruptions, destruction of lives and livelihoods and unparalleled challenges dealt by the pandemic.
• Maheshwari will lead ANMI in 2021, a year which is both unique and challenging for the organisation.
• ANMI will enter the important milestone of 25 years of its establishment in August 2021.

Thales appointed Ashish Saraf as Vice-President and Country Director for India

• Thales announced the appointment of Ashish Saraf as Vice-President and Country Director for India with effect from 1 June 2021.
• Ashish will lead the company’s India business and will be responsible for the strategic growth of Thales in the country across all of its markets, further strengthening local teams, collaborations and innovation.
• He succeeds Emmanuel de Roquefeuil who takes up a new role as the VP and heads for Thales in the Middle East.
• Ashish has also served as the Vice-President and Make in India Officer for Airbus, has headed the Tata-Sikorsky joint venture in Hyderabad and also worked with Deloitte Consulting and Dassault Systemes, mainly in the United States and Europe.

Arun Raste takes oath as NCDEX chief

• ArunRaste has taken charge as Managing Director and CEO of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange. 
• SEBI had cleared his appointment in April.
• His term is valid for five years.
• Prior to joining NCDEX, Raste was associated with the National Dairy Development Board as an Executive Director.
• He has also worked with private sector banks such as IDFC First Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank besides Nabard and ACC Cement.

Maldives FM elected as President of 76th Session of UN General Assembly

• Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly that will start in September.
• He got 143 votes in the election.
• To become the President of the United Nations General Assembly, a candidate needs 97 votes in the 193-member strong UNGA.
• The post of president of UNGA is voted on a yearly basis by all the 193 members of the core UN body.
• The tenure of the post is one year and is a prestigious one due to authority over the working of the General Assembly.

Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar take oath as Director General Naval Operations

• Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as Director General Naval Operations.
• The Flag Officer is a specialist in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and has served on frontline warships of the Navy as ASW Officer and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Destroyer INS Mysore.
• He has commanded the missile corvette INS Kora, the missile frigate INS Shivalik and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

Sanjeev Sahai appointed as new chairman of oil regulator PNGRB

• Former power secretary Sanjeev Nandan Sahai, who virtually made a last-minute entry into the list of candidates, has been selected as the new chairman of oil regulator PNGRB.
• A Search Committee headed by V K Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI Aayog, picked up Sahai, a 1986 batch IASofficer who retired as Secretary in Ministry of Power on January 31 this year.

Alok Kumar appointed as New Chief Secretary of Tripura

• Senior IAS officer Alok Kumar took charge as the new chief secretary of Tripura.
• He replaces Manoj Kumar, who has been transferred and posted as Special Chief Resident Commissioner of Tripura Bhavan, New Delhi.
• Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has congratulated the newly-appointed chief secretary after he took over the charge.

About Tripura:

• Capital: Agartala
• Governor: Ramesh Bais
• Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb

Hitendra Dave appointed as CEO of HSBC India

• HSBC announced Hitendra Dave will be appointed the chief executive officer (CEO) of HSBC India on receipt of regulatory approval, and has been appointed the interim CEO, effective June 7, 2021.
• Dave succeeds Surendra Rosha, who after three years is moving to Hong Kong as the co-chief executive of HSBC, Asia-Pacific.
• Dave, formerly head of global banking and markets of HSBC India, has almost 30 years work experience in the Indian financial markets, of which the last 20 have been with HSBC.
• He joined the bank in 2001 in the global markets business.

Kuwait’s Husain Al-Musallam named as President of FINA

• Kuwaiti Husain Al-Musallam was elected president of FINA at a general congress in Doha, the aquatics world governing body.
• Al-Musallam stood unopposed and was previously first vice-president to Uruguayan Julio Maglione, who was elected in 2009 and became an honorary life president.
• The Kuwaiti mentioned he would take no payment for any of his work with FINA and planned to halve per diem payments for Bureau members.
• South Africa’s Sam Ramsamy was appointed first vice-president.

Virendra Nanavati became first Indian elected as a member of FINA Bureau

• India’s Virendra Nanavati was elected as a member of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) Bureau at the world body’s General Congress held in Doha in Qatar.
• Nanavati, who is currently a vice-president of Indian Olympic Association and executive director of Swimming Federation of India (SFI), is the first Indian to be elected as a Bureau member of the FINA.
• He was elected for the term of 2021-2025.
• He is also a former general secretary of SFI.
• “Nanavati has been elected to the world body of aquatic sports FINA as member FINA BUREAU (World at Large) on 5th June 2021 at FINA General Congress held at Doha (Qatar)“.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Arunachal Pradesh’s Water Burial won best film National Award

• Water Burial has won the best film award on environment conservation at the 67th National Films Awards 2021. 
• Inspired by the popular Assamese novel Saba Kota Manuh, which is written by Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, Water Burial is in Monpa dialect and has an intriguing storyline around a dark ritual of a local tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The film, which is directed by independent filmmaker Shantanu Sen in Monpa dialect, has garnered positive reviews for its uniqueness in portraying the rituals of the tribals of the Northeast and bringing the attention of the mainstream media towards it.

‘TecHalli’: Anand Mahindra, Nandan Nilekani honours Bengaluru with new title

• Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani have chosen “TecHalli” as an alternative name for Bengaluru, instead of India’s Silicon Valley.
• The name includes the word “halli” which means “village” in Kannada.
• Mahindra had conducted a caption competition, calling for a new title for the country’s tech capital.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s AND AGREEMENTS

Indian Oil Corporation Limited signs MoU with Gujarat 

• State run Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) inked pacts with Gujarat government for implementing projects totaling around 24,000 crore in the western state.
• “IndianOil’s Gujarat Refinery will be implementing India’s first Hydrogen Dispensing Facility as a clean fuel initiative”.
• Expanding refining capacity by 3 million tonnes per annum to 18 million tonnes and adding plants to produce 5,00,000 tonnes per annum of polypropylene and 2, 35,000 tonnes of lube oil base stock at the site would see a total investment of about Rs 24,000 crore.
• “Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijaybhai Rupani and Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan presided over an MOU signing ceremony for ‘Investment Promotion’ between the Government of Gujarat and IndianOil for setting up a Petrochemical and Lube Integration (LuPech) Project and Acrylics / Oxo Alcohol Project along with other infrastructure projects at Gujarat Refinery”.

NMPB and CSIR-NBRI signed MOU 

• The National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPS) and the National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) have signed an agreement to boost cultivation and production of medicinal plants and herbs in India.
• The AYUSH ministry stated the MoU will facilitate the development of Quality Planting Material (QPM) of medicinal plants and herbs identified by the NMPB, help in establishment of their nurseries for QPM, development, promotion, conservation and cultivation of the appropriate medicinal plants in different agro-climatic zones, including the threatened medicinal plant species and plants for the high-altitude regions.
• “Through this collaboration, NMPB will support CSIR-NBRI in carrying out the potential medicinal plant species with high commercial value for the Germplasm collection/conservation and establishment of nursery and seed banks/gene banks”.

BSE STAR MF signed MOU with GUMCCSL 

• BSE-led mutual funds distributor platform, BSE STAR MF, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Godavari Urban Multi State Credit Co-Op Society Ltd., Nanded (GUMCCSL) to deepen its network of over 70,000 registered distributors.
• Sameer Patil, CBO of BSE stated “via this MoU, Godavari Urban Multi-State Co-Op Society Ltd. would strive to leverage its reach and capacity for delivery of a wider range of financial products such as mutual funds and so on.
• This partnership with BSE STAR MF will ensure that customers will be on boarded through an easy and hassle-free digital process and the efforts are aligned towards a less-paper ecosystem.”
• MoU aims to facilitate cooperation between BSE STAR MF and rural markets in areas such as financial inclusion, investment goals, and wealth creation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

National Institute Of Immunology Receives Trademark for India’s First Indigenous Tumour Antigen SPAG9

• The SPAG9 antigen developed by the National Institute of Immunology (NII) has received the ASPAGNIITM trademark, from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
• India’s first indigenous tumour antigen SPAG9 was discovered in 1998 by Dr Anil Suri.
• He heads the Cancer Research Programme at the NII, a DBT institute.
• ASPAGNIITM is being used in dendritic cell (DC) based immunotherapy in cervical, ovarian cancer and will also be used in breast cancer.
• Immunotherapy is a new approach that exploits the body’s inner capability to put up a fight against cancer.

About National Institute of Immunology :

• Founded: 24 June 1981
• Located at : New Delhi
• Chairman : Prof. M. G. K. Menon

About the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) :

• Founded: 1986
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Secretary: Dr. Renu Swarup
• Comes Under Ministry of Science & Technology

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sergio Perez wins 

• Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2021 held at Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Sebastian Vettel for Aston Martin and Pierre Gasly for Alpha Tauri finished 2nd & 3rd in the race.
• It was the 6th round of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.
• The F1 Championship Organized by Federation International de I’Automobile.

About Federation International de I’Automobile :

• President : Jean Todt
• Headquarters : Paris, France

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Noted Assamese litterateur Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora passes away             

• Noted Assamese litterateur Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora passed away.
• He was 89.

About Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora :

• Born in June 1932 in Hatichung of Kudijah village, Assam
• He was the first person to be awarded a doctoral degree in meteorology by the university.
• He also served as the president of Assam Sahitya Sabha (1996 &1997) 
• He was a member of the Planning Commission of Assam.

About Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora Books :

• Lakshmi Nandan Bora’s first short story, titled Bhaona, was published in Assamese magazine, Ramdhenu, in 1954. 
• Dristirupa is his first book, which was published in 1958.
• He published his first novel, Gonga Silonir Pakhi, in 1963.

Achievements :

• Bora was also honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award, in 2015.
• He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1988 for his novel Patal Bhairavi.
• He also received the Assam Valley Literary Award in 2004.
• In 2008, for his novel, Kayakalpa he received the Saraswati Samman instituted by the KK Birla Foundation.
• In 2012, Assam Publication Board honoured him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Daily CA On June 06 & 07 :

• World Day against Speciesismis marked on June 5 every year, to stop discrimination based on species membership.
• World Pest Day, also known as World PestAwareness Day, is observed on June 6 every year. The objective behind celebrating this day is to create awareness of how pest management helps preserve the quality of life for people.
• UN Russian Language Dayis observed annually on June 6. The event was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010.
• World Food Safety Dayis observed every year on June 7 to draw attention and inspire action to prevent, detect and manage food borne risks. This year’s theme, ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’, stresses that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy.
• Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Singh Thakur launched the six modules of short films of Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) titled “Hisaab Ki Kitaab”. 
• Heidelberg Cement announced its intention to upgrade its plant on the Swedish island of Gotland to become the world’s first carbon-neutral cement plant.
• The Odisha Government has launched a doorstep delivery service for oxygen concentrators. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated that this will further strengthen the state’s preparedness against present and future waves of covid-19.
• Goa Chief MinisterPramod Sawant launched solar–based electrification programme for rural households in the state. This project will bring electricity through renewable energy to areas in Goa where grid connectivity is not feasible.
• The Maharashtra government has decided to implement the Maharashtra Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (MAPS) with the objective of providing employment and training to the youth of the state.
• The European Commission stated The European Union and an energy investment programme founded by Bill Gates plan to raise up to $1 billion to roll out the low-carbon technologies Europe is betting on to meet its climate change goals.
• Facebook Indiastated it has launched a new initiative to provide students from leading law schools in the country a platform for research and mentorship on topics related to technology law and policy.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced its bi-monthly monetary policy review as RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das in Monetary Policy statement.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the bank license of the Rupee Cooperative Bank for another three months until August 31, 2021.
• Agritech venture capital firm Omnivore stated it has appointed Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala as senior adviser, effective 1 June, to mentor its portfolio companies, advise on new investments, and help develop the fund’s rural fintech investment strategy.
• Additional Sessions Judge Vidya Prakash has been appointed as the Registrar General of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on deputation basis.
• Thomas Vijayan won Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021. Vijayan, hailing from Kerala and now settled in Canada, shot the picture titled ‘The World is Going Upside Down’, in Borneo.
• On the Occasion of World Environment Day celebrated on June 5, CII’s Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) signed a MoU to give a fillip to the Green Building Movement and sustainable development in architectural design and planning.
• New Zealand announced it was the latest country to sign a space agreement with NASA, just as New Zealand’s nascent space industry begins to take off.
• The second United Nations (UN) Global Sustainable Transport Conference will take place from October 14 to 16 in Beijing, China. Theme of the Conference : sustainable transport, sustainable development.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing and ratification of an agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• On June 04, 2021, INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy’s oldest Hydrographic Survey Vessel was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
• Cognizant climbed to 185 on the 2021 Fortune 500 list with a digital focus driving the advancement of the annual ranking of America’s largest companies.
• The US replaced Mauritius as the second largest source of foreign direct investment into India during 2020-21 with inflows of USD 13.82 billion, according to government data.
• World No. 1 Novak Djokovic captured the 83rd title in the 2021 Belgrade Open Tennis Tournament.
• On June 05, 2021, The Chief Whip in Himachal Pradesh Assembly and senior BJP MLA Narinder Bragta Passed away.

Daily CA On June 08 :

• World Oceans Day is an international day that takes place annually on 8 June. The themefor World Oceans Day 2021 is ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’.
• New e-filing website (incometax.gov.in) launch:The IncomeTax Department launched its new e-filing portal www.incometax.gov.in. The Income Tax Department will launch a new e–filing portal to further ease the filing of income tax returns (ITRs).
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till Diwali this year to ensure free ration is provided to those in need.
• A Model Panchayat Citizens Charter/ framework for delivery of the services across the 29 sectors, aligning actions with localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as prepared by Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR).
• Central government has raised upper ceiling for family pensionfrom Rs 45,000 to Rs 1, 25,000 per month to provide ‘ease of living’ for the family members of the deceased employees and would provide adequate financial security to them.
• India along with the Govt. of United Kingdom launched a new work stream to promote industrial energy efficiency under the Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) – Industrial Deep Decarburization Initiative (IDDI) coordinated by UNIDO, at the 12th Chief Energy Ministerial (CEM).
• Raimona in Assam’s Kokrajhar district was declared as the state’s sixth national park. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made an announcement in this regard on the occasion of World Environment Day.
• The State government has launched the Knowledge Economy Missionto bring the ongoing efforts to provide employment to the educated and support ‘knowledge workers’ under a single programme.
• MS Mani, senior director, Deloitte India stated, “Collections above Rs 1 lakh crore pertaining to the transactions in the month of April 21 indicates that the economic impact of the lockdowns has been much lower than expected”.
• The World Bankhas approved a USD 500 million program to help boost India’s MSME sector. The programme targets improvements in the performance of five lakh 50 thousand MSMEs.
• The Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL) has received the final credit sanction for Rs 3725 crore from the State Bank of India (SBI) for the development of Noida International Airport (NIA).
• Social media platform Facebook named Spoorthi Priya as its grievance officer for India.
• KK Maheshwari has assumed the role of new president of Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI), India’s largest stock exchange member’s body, with a 5-pronged priority agenda for the next couple of months in view of the ‘New Normal’ for the industry forced upon by the Coronavirus pandemic.
• ArunRaste has taken charge as Managing Director and CEO of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange. 
• Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly that will start in September.
• Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as Director General Naval Operations.
• Former power secretary Sanjeev Nandan Sahai, who virtually made a last-minute entry into the list of candidates, has been selected as the new chairman of oil regulator PNGRB.
• Senior IAS officer Alok Kumar took charge as the new chief secretary of Tripura.
• HSBC announced Hitendra Dave will be appointed the chief executive officer (CEO) of HSBC India on receipt of regulatory approval, and has been appointed the interim CEO, effective June 7, 2021.
• Kuwaiti Husain Al-Musallam was elected president of FINA at a general congress in Doha, the aquatics world governing body.
• Water Burial has won the best film award on environment conservation at the 67th National Films Awards 2021. 
• Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani have chosen “TecHalli” as an alternative name for Bengaluru, instead of India’s Silicon Valley.
• State run Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) inked pacts with Gujarat government for implementing projects totaling around 24,000 crore in the western state.
• The National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPS) and the National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) have signed an agreement to boost cultivation and production of medicinal plants and herbs in India.
• BSE-led mutual funds distributor platform, BSE STAR MF, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Godavari Urban Multi State Credit Co-Op Society Ltd., Nanded (GUMCCSL) to deepen its network of over 70,000 registered distributors.
• The SPAG9 antigen developed by the National Institute of Immunology (NII) has received the ASPAGNIITM trademark, from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). India’s first indigenous tumour antigen SPAG9 was discovered in 1998 by Dr Anil Suri.
• Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2021 held at Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Noted Assamese litterateur Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora passed away.