Current Affairs 02nd July 2020| Current Affairs News

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

Current Affairs 01st July 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

International Day of Parliamentarism

• The United Nations General Assembly designated June 30 as the day to celebrate International Day of Parliamentarism in
• The date also marks the day in 1889 when the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organization of parliaments, was established.
• The day also celebrates the way parliamentary systems of government improve the day-to-day lives of people the world over.

National Doctors’ Day

• India celebrates the national doctor’s day every year to pay tribute to the contributions of doctors across the country.
• It is celebrated on July 1 to mark the birth as well as death anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, former chief minister of West Bengal and one of the most popular doctors of the nation.
• This year’s theme for the occasion is ‘Lessen the mortality of Covid-19’ and includes spreading awareness about hypoxia and aggressive therapy.

National Postal Worker Day 

• On July 1, National Postal Worker Day is marked in recognition of postal workers across the world.
• National Postal Worker Day is a unique opportunity to say ‘thank you’ not only to postmen but also to all delivery personnel, as online shopping has become a lifeline for many of us.

Chartered Accountants Day

• Chartered Accountants Day or CA Day is celebrated onJuly 1 every year to commemorate the finding of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) by the parliament of India in 1949.
• A chartered accountant is a profession that gives direction to the financial condition of any country.
• ICAI is the second largest accounting body in the world after American Institute of Public Accountants.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

PM Modi extends Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till November

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for a further five months till November-end for distributing free foodgrains to the poor.
• The government will keep providing free foodgrains to the poor section of the society due to the increased need during the festivals. And it will incur an additional expenditure of Rs 90,000 crore to provide 5 kg rice or wheat and 1 kg gram every month to the poor.
• The Modi government had announced an additional allocation in the world’s largest food security scheme – PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana – earlier this year, which aimed to ensure sufficient foods with the poor and needy amid the coronavirus crisis.
• The foodgrains were to be distributed to all the beneficiaries under the targeted public distribution system (TPDS) for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority household (PHH) ration cardholders.
• The eligible individuals were to receive 5kg of foodgrains and 1 kg Gram per month for a period of three months between April and June, 2020, which has now been extended for five more months.
• In the last three months, 20 crore poor households have received direct benefit transfers worth Rs 31,000 crore under the government’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, which was announced immediately after the coronavirus-induced lockdown. During this period, Rs 18,000 crore has been deposited in the bank accounts of more than nine crore farmers.
• Simultaneously, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan was also launched to provide employment to shramiksin rural areas.

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment  launches Nasha Mukt Bharat

• “Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts’ was e-launched by Shri Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment on the occasion of “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”
• The Action Plan has the following components:Awareness generation programmes; Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools; Community outreach and identification of dependent population; Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings; and Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.
• The funds for this programme in the year 2017-18 was Rs 49 crores and now in the year 2019-20 it was Rs 110 crores and in the year 2020-21, the fund has been increased to Rs 260 crores, i.e. more than 5 times.
• Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment could not conduct the presentation of the National Awards for outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse

About MoSE

• Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment: Thaawar Chand Gehlot
• Constituency: Madhya Pradesh

HRD Minister launches World’s first ever online B.Sc. degree in Programming & Data Science

• Human Resources and Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank virtually launched World’s first ever online Sc. degree in Programming and Data Science.
• The programme has been prepared and offered by the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras.
• Data Science is one of the fastest growing sectors that is predicted to create 11.5 million jobs by 2026.
• Online education is a trend being rapidly embraced for high quality education on a large scale.
• This programme is open to anyone who has passed Class 12th, with English and Maths at the Class 10th level, and enrolled in any on-campus UG course.
• Mr Pokhriyal informed that the current batch of students who are completing their Class 12th in 2020 are eligible to apply. He stated, Graduates and working professionals can also take up this programme.
• Mr Pokhriyal added that this unique offering removes all barriers of age, discipline or geographic location and provides access to a world-class curriculum in data science which is in huge demand for skilled professionals.
• The Minister stated, the students who are currently enrolled in a different on-campus program anywhere in the country can pursue this degree program without needing to switch careers or courses.

About Ministry of Human Resource Development:

• Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’: Cabinet Minister
• Constituency: Haridwar
• Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Minister of State

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Continuous Galvanized Rebar Production Facility in Punjab

Current Affairs 30th June 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

International Day of the Tropics

• International Day of the Tropics, which is marked on June 29 every year.
• As per the United Nations, the Tropics is home to nearly 95 per cent of the world’s mangrove forests by area and 99 per cent of mangrove species. The Tropics have just over half of the world’s renewable water resources (54 per cent), and biodiversity is also much greater at 80 per cent.

World Allergy Week

• The World Allergy Organization is proud to announce thatWorld Allergy Week 2020 will occur 28 June – 4 July 2020 and will focus on the theme of “Allergy care does not stop with COVID-19.”
• Each year, the World Allergy Organization (WAO) addresses a different topic that has a need for greater awareness.

About WAO

• Headquarters location: United States

World Asteroid Day

• World Asteroid Day or International Asteroid Dayis celebrated in the remembrance of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russia. It took place on 30 June, 1908.
• It is said that it was the Earth’s largest asteroid impact ever recorded so far.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

India inks pact with Bhutan for 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project

• India signed a concession agreement with Bhutan for the 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project in the virtual presence of external affairs minister S Jaishankar.
• The 600 MW run-of-the-river project is located on the lower course of the Kholongchhu River in Trashiyangtse district in Eastern Bhutan.
• The project envisages an underground powerhouse of four 150 MW turbines with water impounded by a concrete gravity dam of 95 meters height.
• It will be implemented by Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited, a Joint Venture launched between Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) of Bhutan and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) of India.
• The concession agreement will lead to commencement of construction and other works of this first Joint Venture Hydroelectric Project between India and Bhutan.
• The project is expected to be completed in the second half of
• The 720 MW Mangdechhu hydroelectric project was jointly inaugurated earlier in August, 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutan counterpart Lotay Tshering.

About Bhutan

• Capital: Thimphu
• Capital: Bhutan Ngultrum
• Prime minister: Lotay Tshering

India plans incentives to double auto exports in next five years

• India is drawing up an incentive scheme for the autos sector aimed at doubling exports of vehicles and components in the next five years.
• The incentives would be based on the sales value of vehicles or components and eligiblecompanies would need to meet certain conditions, including a minimum revenue and profit threshold and presence in at least 10 countries.
• The move is part of India’s effort to create ‘champion’ sectors to attract investment, generate jobs and boost manufacturing.
• India wants to promote exports and has identified some sectors, including autos and textiles, for which incentive plans are being designed.
• The initial scheme has been designed to incentivise large companies and in turn benefit smaller players in the supply chain, making the auto sector more competitive overall.

Govt launches PM FME scheme to help micro food processing enterprises

• The Government launched a Rs 10,000 crore scheme for micro enterprises which offers 50% subsidy for storage and transportation to prevent distress sale by farmers.
• The scheme, called Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (PM FME) launched by Food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets.
• The scheme will be implemented for five years until 2024-25. It will generate investment of Rs 35,000 core, generate 900,000 jobs and help 800,000 units.
• Operation Greens Scheme, which has been extended from tomato, onion and potato (TOP) crops to other notifiedhorticulture crops for providing subsidy for their transportation and storage from surplus production area to major consumption centres, will prevent post-harvest losses and distress sale by farmers when prices fall.
• Under the PM FME scheme, micro enterprises will get 35% subsidy on project cost, with a ceiling of Rs 10 lakh. The beneficiaries will have to contribute at least 10% of the project cost while the balance will come from loans. Nearly 200,000 micro enterprises will get credit-linked subsidy support.
• Under the scheme, meant for the unorganised sector, the expenditure will be shared by the central and state governments in the ratio of 60:40.
• The ministry will provide the 50% subsidy for “transportation of eligible crops from surplus production clusters to consumption centres or hiring of appropriate storage facilities for eligible crops for a maximum period of three months”.
• The maximum subsidy amount per applicant will be Rs 1 crore during a six-month period.

About MoFPI

• Minister of Food Processing Industries: Harsimrat Kaur Badal
• Constituency: Bathinda, Punjab.

Defence Minister launches web portal for issuing NOCs for projects in Indian waters

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a web portal for issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) to entities that are undertaking power projects and activities related to research, survey, exploration and exploitation in the Indian territorial waters and exclusive economic zones.
• The online system will establish an effective, speedy and transparent mechanism to process these proposals.
• Singh, along with Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, launched the web portal in the presence of Army Chief General M M Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, and Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria.
• The  newly developed web portal will facilitate the applicants in submitting their proposals online for seeking Security Clearance from the Defence Ministry  for undertaking Power Projects and RSEE activities.
• The web portal has been developed with the assistance of National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG) and National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Current Affairs 28th & 29th June 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

National Statistics Day

• National Statistics Day is observed on June 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Professor PC Mahalanobis.
• This year the day will be marked virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic and people still are being advised to stay indoors.
• The theme of the day this year is Sustainable Development Goals -3 (Ensure healthy lie and promote well-being for all at all ages) and Sustainable Development Goals-5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls)

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

BRO rebuilds bridge on Munsyari Milam Road near Indo -China Border in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand

• In Uttarakhand , a crucial bridge on the Munsyari Milam Road near the Indo -China Border in Pithoragarh has been rebuilt by the Border Road Organisation(BRO) in a record time of five days.
• The 100 feet long bridge with a capacity of carrying weight of around 30 tonnes, is the only route for movement of Army and ITBP personnel to the higher Himalayan posts along the china border.
• The old bridge collapsed because of overloaded trailer carrying an excavator tried to cross it despite several warnings from the BRO.
• This bridge is very important for supplying ration to the army and the ITBP men near the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand.

About BRO

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Director General: Lt. Gen.Harpal Singh

Govt Approves Additional Rs 1,691 Crore for Highway Works in J&K, Uttarakhand for 2020-21

• The government has approved an additional Rs 1,691 crore for highway works by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand for 2020-21.
• Of this, Rs 1,351.10 crore has been sanctioned to BRO for road works in Jammu & Kashmir.
• A total of Rs 340 crore ceiling has been approved for Uttarakhand for national highways.
• In addition, it has also given nod for additional sanction of Rs 71 crore for highway works by the state’s Public Works Department in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu,
• Besides, it has also enhanced the total ceiling to Rs 1,955 crore for highways work for Nagaland under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) from the existing Rs 1,081 crore.

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda launches TRIFED Digital Platforms through video conference

• Tribal Affairs Ministry has taken several immediate initiatives to re-energise the lagging economic activity for sustaining the livelihood development of tribals to ease the burden of the tribal artisans arising out of COVID pandemic.
• The TRIFED Digital Platforms, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda stated that the team of “TRIFED Warriors” will take Tribal Commerce based on forest products, handlooms and handicrafts to a new high for transforming tribal lives and livelihoods.
• He stated that with more and more people going online to meet their various needs, an important strategic push has been to adopt an all-encompassing digitisation drive to map and link its village based tribal producers to the national and international markets. This was the key focus area of a webinar organised by TRIFED.
• It was attended by over 200 participants. The main highlight was the launch of the TRIBES India products on the Government e-Marketplace and TRIFED’s new website.
• Mr Munda opined that TRIFED plays a major role in connecting the tribals to the mainstream and congratulated the team for their initiatives being launched.
• He urged them to focus on extracting and utilising the wealth of information and knowledge that the tribal communities have, especially with regard to the jungle, and how that can be used to not just benefit their community but can also be of greater help to the country and people in these troubled times.

About Ministry of Tribal Affairs:

• Arjun Munda, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency: Khunti
• Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State

Union Minister Shripad Naik Inaugurates Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat

• Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik inaugurated two-day Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat via video conferencing and stated that strong defence capabilities would help the nation safeguarding the prosperity “generated in the last few decades“.
• The minister stated that the huge opportunity and clear vision of the Centre for the defence sector “have attracted the attention of not only a few large players but also a large number of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Naik stated that the slowing down/saturation of markets in other sectors has also been responsible for directing their interest towards the unexplored defence sector which promises sustained business opportunities.
• Naik stated that the state has emerged as an excellent infrastructure facility and can offer both forward and backward supply chain linkages to the defence and aerospace manufacturing sector.
• The growth drivers for Gujarat include its vast coastline of 1,600 kilometres with well-connected ports, the MSME engineering companies providing entire supply chain for the defence sector, premier educational institutes in management, engineering, design, research and development, infrastructure planning and world-class shipbuilding and repairing facility, he stated.

The Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary – Day 127

1)  Disgruntle (verb) – असंतुष्ट करना

Meaning: To cause to feel discontented or disgruntled

Synonyms: estrange, alienate, discontent, displease

Antonyms: encourage, compose, flatter

Usage:  There aren’t any foreign language soundtracks available on the disc, which

could disgruntle some.

 

2) Machiavellian (noun) – षड्यंत्रकारी

Meaning: Attempting to achieve one’s goals by unscrupulous scheming; someone who

secretly makes plans to do something illegal or harmful.

Synonyms: perfidious, conniving, cutthroat, devious, plotter, conspirator

Antonyms: virtuous, conscientious, honourable, good, respectable

Usage: Reuther’s political success cannot be read solely in terms

of Machiavellian politics.

Current Affairs 27th June 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

World MSME Day

• Every Year on June 27th is observed as World MSME day.
• Theday was established in 2017 by the United Nations to put Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the spotlight for their contribution to inclusive and sustainable development both locally and globally.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

NS Tomar launches web portal of Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

• Minister for Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar launched the web portal of the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan through video conferencing from New Delhi. The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan is the massive employment generation-cum-rural infrastructure creation programme of the Government of India which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Its objective is to provide employment to returnee migrant workers at their native places for next four months, because of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Mr Tomar expressed happiness at the launch of the portal which will provide information to the public about the various district-wise and scheme-wise components of the Abhiyaan.
• It will also help to monitor the progress of completion of the works being undertaken with a fund outlay of 50 thousand crore rupees in 116 districts of 6 states, where there are more than 25000 returnee migrant workers per district.
• He stated, Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal Ministry for Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan and it is working in close coordination with 12 other Ministries for the 25 categories of works which are to be completed in the identified districts in 125 days. Mr Tomar stated that these ongoing works which were progressing at a normal pace as per schedule, have now been fast-tracked to transform the challenge presented by the pandemic into an opportunity to create infrastructure in rural areas in a short duration.
• The launch of the web portal was followed by a workshop for the Central Nodal Officers of the 116 identified districts.

About Ministry of Rural Development:          

• Narendra Singh Tomar, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency: Morena, Madhya Pradesh
• Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State

‘Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan’ launched to ensure well-being of Senior Citizens amid COVID-19 pandemic

• Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan is a collaborative effort between NITI Aayog, Piramal Foundation, and 25 Aspirational Districts to ensure the well-being of 9 million Senior Citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. NITI Aayog has launched this campaign following the appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take care of senior citizens.
• Piramal foundation with the help of social welfare department and district administration is implementing this campaign in Surendranagar district. More than 150 volunteers are engaged in this campaign. They are contacting about 25000 senior citizens of the district through phone calls by taking the contact details from the district administration.
• They inquired about the health of old persons and gave them information on Coronavirus. They also helped them to fulfill their essential requirements like medicines, ration or work related to ration cards.

About Piramal:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairperson :Ajay Piramal

About Niti Aayog

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Narendra Modi, (Chairperson)
• Rajiv Kumar, (Vice Chairperson)
• Amitabh Kant, (CEO)

Centre to set up taskforce for ‘Golden Hour’ accident claims, insurance pool proposed

Current Affairs 26th June 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

International Day of the Seafarer

• The Day of the Seafarer is celebrated each year on June 25. On this day, people pay respect to Seafarers and sailors who help the entire world function by conducting sea transport.
• Day of the Seafarer celebration was first started in 2010 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• 2020 campaign– Seafarers are Key Workers

World Vitiligo Day

• The World Vitiligo Day, observed on June 25, is an initiative aimed to build global awareness about vitiligo.
• Vitiligo occurs in 1-2% of the population worldwide; a loss of color in the skin creating a variety of patterns on the skin from loss of pigment.
• The day was created by the non-profit organizationsVR Foundation of USA and VITSAF of Nigeria and the first World Vitiligo Day was held in 2011.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

• This day was observed on 26 June every year to make people aware of the harmful effects of drugs and to determine a society free of drug abuse.
• It was established by the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen global action and cooperation.
• The theme for the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking “Better Knowledge for Better Care”

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

• The UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June marks the moment in 1987 when the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, one of the key instruments in fighting torture, came into effect.
• The Convention has been ratified by 162 countries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

Health minister Harsh Vardhan launches mobile app ‘eBloodServices’ to order blood

• Union health minister Harsh Vardhan launched the ‘eBloodServices’ App in partnership with the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), for easy access to blood in this critical time of coronavirus pandemic.
• The app is developed by the ERaktkosh team and will bring ‘transparency’ in the blood donation program.
• Through this app, the availability of blood will be visible right in your phone. Once an order has been placed then the blood bank will keep the request active for 12 hours. The app has the facility of placing an order for up to four units of blood in one go.

About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:

• Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Earth Sciences: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
• Constituency: Chandni chowk, New Delhi

About Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS):

• Headquarters: New Delhi