Daily Current Affairs December 14 2022

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Energy Conservation Day: 14th December

• National Energy Conservation Day 2022 is observed on the 14th of December 2022.
• National Energy Conservation Day 2022 aims to create awareness among the people on saving energy by reducing the use of energy and using it efficiently.
• National Energy Conservation Day 2022 was first observed on December 14th, 1991 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency BEE, under the Union Ministry of Power which falls under the government of India.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency assists in the development and implementation of strategies and policies to reduce excessive consumption of energy.
• The committee also executed ‘The Energy Conservation Act’ in 2001.
• The main objective of the day is to reduce the use of energy and to encourage people to use it efficiently.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

The sixth Vande Bharat train on the Nagpur-Bilaspur route was signalled by PM Modi:

• India’s sixth Vande Bharat Express between Bilaspur (Chattisgarh) and Nagpur (Maharashtra) has been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• After the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat express, this is the second Vande Bharat express in the state.
• At the Khapri Metro Station, he formally opened “Nagpur Metro Phase I” and set the cornerstone for “Nagpur Metro Phase II.”
• Phase I development cost Rs. 8650 crores, while the Phase II development will cost at least 6700 crore.
• The Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, which connects Nagpur and Shirdi, was officially opened by him.
• One of the nation’s longest expressways, constructed at 55,000 crores, runs across 10 Maharashtra districts, including Amravati, Aurangabad, and Nashik.
• Additionally, he created the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Chandrapur, the Centre for Research, Management and Control of Hemoglobinopathies, Nagpur, and the AIIMS Nagpur and Nag river pollution abatement project.
• Indian Railways created the Vande Bharat, a domestic semi-high-speed train.
• By August 15th, 2023, the government plans to operate 75 Vande Bharat express trains across the nation.
• The Vande Bharat Express includes travel classes similar to those on the Shatabdi Train but with superior amenities and a top speed limit of 160 kmph.
• Passengers are expected to have a completely new travel experience because of it.
• Better acceleration and deceleration are made possible by the sophisticated brake system on the Vande Bharat Express train.
• Automatic doors, an audio-visual passenger information system powered by GPS, WiFi hotspots on board for entertainment, and roomy seats are features found on all coaches.
• The chairs in the executive class rotate as well.

The Government of India has extended the PM SVANidhi Scheme beyond March 2022

• The Government of India has extended the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme beyond March 2022 with the following provisions:
• Extension of lending period till December 2024.
• Introduction of 3rd loan of up to ₹50,000 in addition to 1st & 2nd loans of ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 respectively.
• To extend the ‘SVANidhi Se Samriddhi’ component for all beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi scheme across the country;
• As on November 30, 2022, 31.73 lakh Street Vendors have availed the benefit of 1st loan of ₹ 10,000 loans; Out of these 5.81 lakh have availed of the benefit of the second loan of ₹ 20,000 loans; Out of those who availed 2nd loan, 6,926 street vendors have availed the benefit of the third loan of ₹50,000.
• 42 lakh street vendors are to be provided benefits under PM SVANidhi Scheme by December 2024.
• The scheme was announced as a part of the Economic Stimulus-II under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• It has been implemented since 1st June 2020, for providing affordable working capital loans to street vendors to resume their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to Covid-19 lockdowns.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme i.e., fully funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.’
• The Scheme is available for beneficiaries belonging to only those States/UTs which have notified Rules and Scheme under the 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.

MSME launched SAMADHAAN Portal:

• The Ministry of MSME launched SAMADHAAN Portal in 2017 (http://samadhaan.msme.gov.in/MyMSME/MSEFC/ MSEFCWelcomer.aspx.) for monitoring the outstanding dues to the MSEs from the buyers of goods and services.
• The Ministry of MSME created a special sub-portal within the Samadhaan portal in 2020, after the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat announcements, for reporting the dues and monthly payments by central Ministries/Department/Public Sector Enterprises to MSMEs.
• Dues of 1,65,034.09 crore have been paid to MSME vendors by Government Ministries/ Departments/CPSEs from May 2020 till 05th December 2022.
• The government of India has also instructed CPSEs and all companies with a turnover of Rs. 500 Crore or more to get themselves on-boarded on the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), an electronic platform for facilitating the discounting of trade receivables of MSMEs through multiple financiers.
• Companies that get supplies of goods or services from Micro & Small Enterprises and whose payment to Micro and Small Enterprises exceeds 45 days from the date of acceptance or the date of deemed acceptance of the goods or services, also need to submit a half-yearly return to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs stating the number of payments due and the reasons of the delay.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Kerala to become 100% renewable energy-based State by 2040: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan          

• The Chief Minister of  Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the India Climate and Development Partners’ Meet and announced that Kerala aspires to become a 100% renewable energy-based State by 2040 and net carbon neutral by 2050.
• The event was hosted by the World Bank and Kerala Government where Kerala State Action Plan on Climate Change 2023-2030 (Kerala SAPCC 2.0) was released.
• Kerala is the first State in India to include hydrogen-powered mobility in its zero emissions mobility policy.

About Kerala SAPCC 2.0 : 

• Vijayan described the Kerala SAPCC as an ‘‘inclusive, sustainable’‘ plan with a focus on climate change adaptation in key sectors including agriculture, coastal fisheries, water resources, health, forests, and biodiversity.
• The government has constituted the Kerala Hydrogen Economy Mission to contribute strategic inputs and facilitate partnerships and collaborations toward transforming the State into a green hydrogen hub.
• Kerala would soon come out with a new ESG (Environmental, social, and governance)-focused industrial policy, which specifies incentives to promote responsible industrial production.
• The Kerala government and the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD – French Development Agency) signed a performance-based loan agreement for 100 million euros (Rs 865.8 crore). 
• The agreement aims to strengthen the state’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Assam CM launches projects worth Rs 680 crore

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived at Nalbari on a day-long visit during which he launched as many as 12 projects with a cost of  Rs 680 crore.

Aim: 

• To transform the district into one of the most progressive ones on all fronts in Assam.

List of projects launched :

• The district Sports Stadium Complex at Sariahtoli is to be executed at the cost of Rs 51 crore
• The beautification works of Nalbari town at the cost of Rs 106 crore,
• The integrated Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex at an approximate cost of Rs 50 crore
• To upgradation of Government Polytechnic Institute and Industrial Training Institute at the cost of Rs 5 crore
• A science centre and a planetarium with the first-ever 3D projection system in Assam.
• Several road development projects running into an aggregate of nearly Rs 200 crore were also launched.

Assam CM Sarma launches ‘Bikashar Babe Eta Poshek’ in Bongaigaon

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Bikashar Babe Eta Poshek’, a development initiative of the Assam government at a function held at Bongaigaon, Assam.

Aim : 

• To take the development journey of Assam in an organized manner.

About the Initiative :

• In the first phase, the program, which will run till December 19, 2022, will witness the laying of foundation stones and inauguration of infrastructure projects worth Rs 15,000 crore in 11 districts of Assam
• He also laid the foundation stone of the 200 bedded Bangagaon Medical College and
• The project is scheduled to be completed within three months at Rs 61,067.41 lakh.
• He also inaugurated the Srijangram Model Hospital constructed at Rs 439.56 lakh.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

PNB HFC launched the affordable home loan scheme Roshni for Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities

• PNB Housing Finance (HFC) unveiled a low-cost home loan program Roshni which enables individuals to apply for loans under this scheme ranging from 5 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh.

Key Highlights : 

• This launch is in line with PNB Housing Finance’s long-term goal of enabling and assisting an individual’s desire to purchase a home.
• Recently, the PNB HFC opened branch offices focused on Roshni in the following cities: Chennai, Coimbatore, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Indore/Ujjain, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Rajkot, and
• The program offers a variety of loans for self-building, home expansions and renovations, plot purchases combined with construction, loans against property, and the purchase of property investment.

Who is Eligible : 

• Loan applicants eligible for this are first-time credit borrowers, self-employed without a professional role, and salaried from a low-income group with a family income as low as Rs. 10,000 to the middle-income group category.

About PNB HFC :

• Founded: 11 November 1988
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• MD & CEO: Girish Kousgi
• PNB Housing is a registered housing finance company with National Housing Bank (NHB).

ADB approves $250 mn loans to strengthen India’s logistics sector

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $250 million policy-based loan to support the Government of India’s wide-ranging reforms.

Aim :

• To strengthen and modernize the country’s logistics infrastructure, improve efficiency, and lower the cost in the logistics sector.

Key Highlights : 

• The loan will fund the first sub-program of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program.
• The sub-program supports the government’s efforts to create a comprehensive policy, planning, and institutional framework at the federal, state, and city levels.
• This will rationalize India’s high cost of logistics and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• It also supports the ministry of commerce and industry’s initiatives to issue standards for warehousing, which would encourage operational efficiency and private-sector investment.

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank signs pact with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance

• Private sector lender Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) has partnered with life insurance firm Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance to sell term, annuity, and other value-packed products of the private life insurer across its over 500 branches.
• The agreement to this effect was signed by the TMB’s MD & CEO S. Krishnan and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance MD & CEO Tarun Chugh
• Under this strategic partnership, New and existing customers of the bank would be able to avail of the services of Bajaj Allianz Life offerings including savings, retirement, and investment products.

About TMB :

• Founded: 11 May 1921
• Headquarters: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India
• MD & CEO: S.Krishnan

About Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance : 

• Founded: 2001
• Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra
• CEO: Tarun Chugh

ADB & IIFL HFL initiate policy dialogue around green affordable housing

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) and IIFL Home Finance (IIFL HFL) organized ‘Kutumb’ in Delhi to discuss the scope of green affordable housing in
• The ‘Kutumb’ was launched with an event titled ‘Green Affordable Housing Ecosystem’ in

About Kutumb : 

• Kutumb endeavors to promote green, sustainable, future-ready, and affordable housing by actively collaborating and consulting with developers, architects, and rating agencies.
• In February 2022, IIFL HFL signed a $68 million loan with ADB to improve financial access to affordable green housing for the economically weaker sections and lower-income groups in India.

About ADB : 

• Established : 19 December 1966
• Headquarters : Mandaluyong, Philippines
• President : Masatsugu Asakawa
• Membership : 68 countries

Road transport ministry to launch Surety Bonds Insurance Product for Infrastructure Sector

• The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to launch India’s first-ever surety bonds insurance product for highway contractors on December 19, 2022, to boost liquidity in the infrastructure sector.
• This comes 2 years after the union ministry directed the Insurance Regulatory and Developmental Authority of India (IRDAI) to explore the feasibility of surety bonds.

About surety bonds :

• A surety bond is a three-way agreement between the principal, surety, and
• It is different from corporate bonds and financial guarantees.
• A surety is a company that provides a financial guarantee to the obligee (usually a government entity) that the principal (business owner) will fulfill their obligations.
• It refers to the performance or delivery obligation to complete the insured project, the corporate bonds refer to the financial obligation to repay debts or loans.
• If the principal fails to perform in this manner, the bond will cover the resulting damages or losses.
• A surety bond is provided by the insurance company on behalf of the contractor to the entity which is awarding the project.
• These bonds are mainly aimed at infrastructure development to reduce indirect costs for suppliers and contractors.
• This helps in the diversification of options hence acting as a substitute for a bank guarantee.
• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) (Surety Insurance Contracts) Guidelines, 2022 came into force in April 2022.
• The premium charged for all surety insurance policies underwritten in a financial year, including all installments due in subsequent years for those policies, should not exceed 10% of the total gross written premium of that year, subject to a maximum of Rs 500 crore.
• The limit of the guarantee should not exceed 30% of the contract value.

Benefits of surety bond insurance products introduced for highway contractors : 

• The new mechanism will help boost liquidity in the infrastructure sector by freeing up the working capital of the constructors that are stuck as bank guarantees.
• These funds can be used by contractors to expand their business and further boost the infrastructure of the country.
• This will help address the challenges associated with highway construction.

About the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) :

• Union Minister : Nitin Gadkari
• Minister of state: General V. K. Singh
• Secretary : Mrs Alka Upadhyaya

Banks should not ask for verification at the branch level if e-KYC has been done – RBI

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that banks should not ask for verifications/updates at the branch level in case a customer has done e-KYC or those who have completed the KYC (know-your-customer) process on the C-KYC portal.
• Bank customers who have completed their KYC verifications online can do the annual updates as well as changes if any in their details online.
• Customers who have uploaded their KYC details on the central KYC (C-KYC) portal should not be asked for verification by any bank.
• In such a case, the customer can just mail or message from the registered email ID or mobile to the bank to access the KYC details from the C-KYC portal.

About KYC :         

• The KYC is the method of a company that verifies the customer’s identity and assesses possible risks to the business relationship from criminal intentions.
• Here is a required document serving as identification evidence and address proof – Passport, Voter ID card, Driving Licence, PAN card, and Aadhaar Card.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced Know your customer (KYC) guidelines for all banks in
• In 2004, RBI directed that all banks ensure that they are fully acquiescent with the KYC provisions before December 31, 2005.
• The main aim of KYC was to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and

Finance Ministry allows PSUs to invest in debt schemes of all mutual funds

• The finance ministry in an office memorandum allowed public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest in debt schemes of all mutual funds.
• Earlier, provisions limited central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) to investment in public sector mutual funds only, in which the government held more than 50% share.

Key Highlights :

• The period of maturity of any instrument of investment shall not exceed 1 year from the date of investment, except in the case of term deposits with banks and government securities where it can extend up to three years.
• The department of investment and public enterprises (DIPAM) in the official memorandum announced that the guidelines are based on proposals received from CPSEs, mutual funds, and private sector banks citing liberalization of policies and the introduction of new monetary instruments for trade-in short-term funds.
• Only Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna CPSEs are permitted to invest in debt-based schemes of mutual funds.
• However, these guidelines will not apply to state-owned banks and insurance companies.
• It also bars the involvement of any broker or agent in any form on either side.
• The guidelines issued by DIPAM on the investment of surplus funds by CPSEs supersede the earlier guidelines issued by the department of public enterprises in 2017.
• The eligible instruments available for the investment of surplus funds by CPSEs include treasury bills, government securities, term deposits with scheduled commercial banks, commercial banks’ instruments, loans or deposits with CPSEs, and mutual funds.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Venkaiah Naidu has been conferred with the 25th Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award:

• Former vice president Venkaiah Naidu has been conferred with the 25th Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award (SIES).
• Other awardees in various categories included the Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan, eminent industrialist Ratan Tata, renowned cardiologist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valianathan, Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Ajay Sood and famous Harikatha artiste Vishakha Hari.
• The awards were instituted by the South Indian Education Society in 1998 in memory of the late Seer of Kanchi, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati.
• Awards are given in the fields of public leadership, community leadership, science and technology, and social thinkers to those who had made outstanding contributions in the above four fields.
• Each award carries a cash prize of Rs.2.5 lakh, a citation, an ornamental lamp, and a scroll.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

WHO has launched the 2022 edition of its annual World Malaria Report:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the 2022 edition of its annual World Malaria Report, emphasizing the cumulative impacts the prolonged pandemic continued to weigh on the economies and health systems of malaria-endemic countries across the globe.
• As per the report, there were an estimated 247 million malaria cases recorded in 2021 in 84 malaria-endemic countries.
• The report states that the case incidence remained largely similar in 2020 and 2021.
• The WHO African Region continued to account for the largest burden globally, with 4 nations in the region responsible for over half of all malaria deaths.
• Over the past 2 decades, the WHO South-East Asia Region displayed a reducing trend in both malaria cases and associated deaths-cases reduced by 76 percent, from 22.8 million in 2000 to about 5.4 million in 2021.
• As per the report, the WHO South-East Asia Region accounted for about 2 percent of the burden of malaria cases globally, out of which, India was responsible for 79 percent of cases.
• The death associated with malaria remained largely similar over the past 3 years, with India accounting for 82.4 percent of all malaria deaths in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2021.
• Positively, India is among the 5 HBHI nations to showcase a decline in deaths, although their contributions to the malaria burden within HBHI countries are still substantial.
• The WHO report mentioned the remarkable progress toward malaria elimination; in 2021 there were 84 malaria-endemic countries compared to 108 in 2000.
• The report continued to highlight the stark difference between WHO estimates of India’s malaria burden – approximately 4.3 million – and officially reported figures as per government data – approximately 160,000.
• Africa is the hardest hit region by malaria.
• Africa has 95 % of cases and 96 % of deaths globally in 2021.
• WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 aims to reduce malaria cases and mortality rates by at least 40 % by 2020, at least 75 % by 2025, and at least 90 % by 2030 against 2015 as a base.
• Estimating the true disease burden is one of the most fundamental steps that need to be taken to fulfil our nation’s ambitious goal and achieve our Honorable Prime Minister’s vision of a malaria-free country by 2030.

About WHO:

• The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
• Founded: 7 April 1948,
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland,
• Head: Tedros Adhanom; (Director-General).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

 PFC signed an MoU with the Ministry of Power

• Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Power between the signatories Mr. Ravinder Singh Dhillon, CMD, Power Finance Corporation, and Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power.
• Power Finance Corporation plans to set up one of the largest funding agencies in the Renewables space, witnessing a strategic change in its loan portfolio and getting its Memorandum of Association (MoA) changed to fund the infrastructure and logistics space as well.
• It has been a key partner of the Government of India in implementing several schemes Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), Liquidity Infusion Scheme under Atmanirbhar Bharat, etc, and has been one of the highest dividends paying companies.

About PFC:

• Power Finance Corporation Ltd. is an Indian central public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• Established in 1986.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu takes oath as 15th CM of Himachal Pradesh 

• Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh (HP) at a mega swearing-in ceremony held at historic ridge ground in Shimla, HP.
• He will succeed Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
• He is the first Congress leader from lower Himachal comprising areas merged in Himachal in 1966 such as Nalagarh, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and the lower hills of Kullu to occupy the top state post.
• Meanwhile, Mukesh Agnihotri was sworn in as the deputy CM of HP.
• The Congress won the state Assembly elections by securing 40 out of 68 seats.

About Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu :

• Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu is an Indian politician from the Indian National Congress.
• He is the 4-time incumbent MLA of the Nadaun assembly constituency of HP.

About HP : 

• Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
• Chief Minister : Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
• Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter)
• National Park: Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bandli Sanctuary, Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary

Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle resigns

• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade publisher, Markus Dohle stepped down from his role.
• It comes just weeks after a federal judge blocked the company’s attempt to buy rival Simon & Schuster.
• Dohle, who will remain with the company in an advisory capacity, had been working under a 5-year contract set to expire in December 2025.
• Dohle will be succeeded, on an interim basis, by Nihar Malaviya, 48, currently president and COO of Penguin Random House.
• He was the chief executive officer of Penguin Random House from July 2013 to December 2022.

About Penguin Random House :

• Founded: 1 July 2013
• Headquarters: New York City, United States

Indian-origin Nihar Malaviya named interim CEO of publishing group Penguin Random House

• An Indian-origin publishing executive, Nihar Malaviya, has been named interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International publishing group Penguin Random House.
• The appointment comes after the current CEO Markus Dohle, who is stepping down.
• He will take over as Interim CEO beginning January 1, 2023.

Roles & Responsibilities : 

• Malaviya will ‘lead the creation of new competitive advantages that position the global company for future growth.
• Malaviya will join Bertelsmann’s Group Management Committee (GMC) and continue to be a member of the Penguin Random House Global Executive Committee.

About Nihar Malaviya : 

• He has been President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the publisher’s American division Penguin Random House US since 2019.
• He is a two-time recipient of the Bertelsmann Entrepreneur Award for Strategy Execution and serves on the Bertelsmann Technology and Data Advisory Board.
• He is also a member of the board of Yale University Press.

PT Usha elected as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association

• The legendary former athlete Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha (PT Usha) has been formally elected as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
• Usha is the first sportsperson to have represented the country and also become IOA chief since Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, who played a Test match in 1934.
• Ajay H Patel has been elected as senior Vice President and Rajlaxmi Singh Deo and Gagan Narang as Vice Presidents of the Indian Olympic Association.
• The elections were held under the supervision of Supreme Court-appointed retired SC judge L Nageswara Rao.

About PT Usha : 

• PT Usha was born in Kuttali, Kozhikode, Kerala. 
• She is a retired Indian track and field athlete
• She is often called the “Queen of Indian track and field“
• Fondly known as ‘Payyoli Express’, she was nominated to Rajya Sabha in July 2022.
• She has been associated with Indian athletics since 1979.
• Usha is one of the most decorated Indian athletes, having won 11 medals, including 4 gold in the Asian Games & 7 Silver medals
• She also won a phenomenal 23 medals, including 14 gold, in the Asian Championships from 1983 to 1998, collectively in 100m, 200m, 400m hurdles, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay.
• She is a member of the Board of Advisors of India’s International Movement to the United Nations (I.I.M.U.N.).

Awards & Honors :

• Usha was conferred the Padma Shri in

About IOA : 

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• President: P. T. Usha
• Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta

Ashok Leyland appoints Shenu Agarwal as MD & CEO

• Hinduja group flagship Ashok Leyland has appointed Shenu Agarwal as the company’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) with immediate effect.
• Before Shenu Agarwal, Vipin Sondhi served as MD & CEO of the company between December 2019 and December 2021.
• Agarwal is expected to drive the technology development, growth, and future strategy for Ashok Leyland towards achieving its vision to be among the top 10 commercial vehicles (CV) players globally.

About Shenu Agarwal :

• Agarwal is the former president of Farm equipment manufacturer Escorts Kubota Ltd (EKL).
• He was also the company’s agribusiness CEO for more than seven years.

About Ashok Leyland :

• Founded: 7 September 1948
• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Executive Chairman: Dheeraj Hinduja

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENSE NEWS

The 39th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol underway

• The 39th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy is being conducted from December 8 to 19, 2022.
• The CORPAT will be executed along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on December 15-16, 2022, and will conclude with a debrief at Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Participants :

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built missile corvette participated in the pre-deployment briefing at Belawan, Indonesia.
• Apart from INS Karmuk, the Indian Navy’s L-58 (indigenously built Landing Craft Utility vessel) and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also be taking part in the CORPAT.
• From the Indonesian Navy, KRI Cut Nyak Dien, a Kapitan Pattimura Class Corvette, would be participating in the bilateral naval event.

Aim of the Exercise : 

• To bolster the maritime cooperation between the two navies and forge strong bonds of friendship between India and Indonesia.
• As part of the Government of India’s vision SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance maritime security in the region.

Note :

• The 38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) is being conducted between the Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy from 13-24 June 22 at Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

About The CORPAT:

• India and Indonesia have been carrying out CORPATs twice a year since 2002.
• CORPATs help build understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitate the institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery, and

About Indonesia :

• President: Joko Widodo
• Capital: Jakarta

• Currency : Indonesian Rupiah

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Sidra Ameen and Jos Buttler have been announced as the ICC Player of the Month honorees for November 2022:

• Jos Buttler, the captain of England that won the T20 World Cup, received the ICC men’s Player of the Month award for the first time for his outstanding performance in November.
• Sidra Ameen of Pakistan won the women’s Player of the Month title for the nation for the second time in a row as a result of her outstanding performance in the ODI series victory against Ireland.
• The ICC Player of the Month award went to Buttler, one of the most potent batters in white-ball cricket, who defeated Adil Rashid and Shaheen Shah Afridi for his outstanding performance in the crucial semifinal match against India and helped England win the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2010.
• The opening batsman for England scored 73 runs off of 47 balls against New Zealand and then 80 runs off of 49, stitched an unbroken 170-run partnership with Alex Hales during England’s victory over India in the semifinal, and then scored a crucial 26 against Pakistan in the World T20 final to lead his team to victory.
• Sidra Ameen won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for her impressive performance against Ireland in the ODI series, amassing 277 runs in three home matches while defeating Gaby Lewis of Ireland and Natthakan Chantam of Thailand.
• She was the second cricketer from Pakistan to receive this award after Mohammad Rizwan (September).

About ICC

• Founded: 15 June 1909
• Chairman: Greg Barclay
• CEO: Geoff Allardice
• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Ishan Kishan becomes the fourth Indian to score a double century in ODI:

• Ishan Kishan becomes the fourth Indian to score a double century in one-day international cricket.
• He has also become the ninth batter to score a double century in one-day international cricket.
• Ishan Kishan made 210 runs in just 131 balls with 24 boundaries and 10 sixes in an ODI match against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
• He has also become the youngest and the fastest cricketer to score an ODI double-century.
• Rohit Sharma has scored three double-centuries.
• Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar have also scored double centuries in the ODIs.

About ICC:

• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Founded: 15 June 1909
• Chairman: Greg Barclay

Daily CA on December 14:

• National Energy Conservation Day 2022 is observed on the 14th of December 2022.
• India’s sixth Vande Bharat Express between Bilaspur (Chattisgarh) and Nagpur (Maharashtra) has been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The Government of India has extended the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme beyond March 2022 with the following provisions:
• The Ministry of MSME launched SAMADHAAN Portal in 2017 (http://samadhaan.msme.gov.in/MyMSME/MSEFC/ MSEFCWelcomer.aspx.) for monitoring the outstanding dues to the MSEs from the buyers of goods and services.
• Former vice president Venkaiah Naidu has been conferred with the 25th Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award (SIES).
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the 2022 edition of its annual World Malaria Report, emphasizing the cumulative impacts the prolonged pandemic continued to weigh on the economies and health systems of malaria-endemic countries across the globe.
• Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Power between the signatories Mr. Ravinder Singh Dhillon, CMD, Power Finance Corporation, and Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power.
• The legendary athlete Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha, also known as PT Usha, was chosen to lead the Indian Olympic Association as its first female president.
• Jos Buttler, the captain of England that won the T20 World Cup, received the ICC men’s Player of the Month award for the first time for his outstanding performance in November.
• Ishan Kishan becomes the fourth Indian to score a double century in one-day international cricket.
• The Chief Minister of  Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the India Climate and Development Partners’ Meet and announced that Kerala aspires to become a 100% renewable energy-based State by 2040 and net carbon neutral by 2050.
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived at Nalbari on a day-long visit during which he launched as many as 12 projects with a cost of  Rs 680 crore.
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Bikashar Babe Eta Poshek’, a development initiative of the Assam government at a function held at Bongaigaon, Assam.
• PNB Housing Finance (HFC) unveiled a low-cost home loan program Roshni which enables individuals to apply for loans under this scheme ranging from 5 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $250 million policy-based loan to support the Government of India’s wide-ranging reforms.
• Private sector lender Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) has partnered with life insurance firm Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance to sell term, annuity, and other value-packed products of the private life insurer across its over 500 branches.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) and IIFL Home Finance (IIFL HFL) organized ‘Kutumb’ in Delhi to discuss the scope of green affordable housing in
• The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to launch India’s first-ever surety bonds insurance product for highway contractors on December 19, 2022, to boost liquidity in the infrastructure sector.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that banks should not ask for verifications/updates at the branch level in case a customer has done e-KYC or those who have completed the KYC (know-your-customer) process on the C-KYC portal.
• The finance ministry in an office memorandum allowed public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest in debt schemes of all mutual funds.
• Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh (HP) at a mega swearing-in ceremony held at historic ridge ground in Shimla, HP     & he will Succeed Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade publisher, Markus Dohle stepped down from his role.
• An Indian-origin publishing executive, Nihar Malaviya, has been named interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International publishing group Penguin Random House.
• Hinduja group flagship Ashok Leyland has appointed Shenu Agarwal as the company’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) with immediate effect.
• The 39th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy is being conducted from December 8 to 19, 2022.