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Daily Current Affairs 18th August 2023 Daily GK Update
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National News
Cabinet approves outlay of Rs 14,903 crore to expand Digital India
- The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Digital India scheme for a period of five years till 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 14,903 crore.
- This is a five-year outlay starting from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
- The Digital India scheme is an umbrella programme launched on 1 July 2015 and covers plans such as Aadhaar for all, country-wide rural broadband connectivity, common service centres, Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), Aadhaar-enabled payments systems and MyGov.
- Under the expanded scheme approved, the government will re-skill and upskill 625,000 information technology professionals under the FutureSkills Prime Programme, apart from training about 265,000 people in information security under the information security and education awareness phase programme.
- The government will also use Digital India funds under to expand the scope of the Bhashini programme to all 22 languages under Schedule 8 of the Constitution. Currently, Bhashini, an artificial intelligence-enabled multi-language translation tool is available in 10 Indian languages.
- Apart from the 18 supercomputers already deployed under the National Supercomputer Mission, the government will add another nine supercomputers. The government also aims to support 1,200 startups in tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
Maharashtra scored top position in fiscal health report
- Based on the FY23 revised budget estimates Maharashtra secured the top position as the best state in overall fiscal health in a report conducted by a foreign brokerage firm.
- Chhattisgarh, one of the poorest states in the country, is in 2nd position followed by Telangana and Jharkhand, while the bottom 3 are Bengal, Punjab, and Kerala
- In contrast, Bengal fares the worst, followed by Punjab, Bihar, Rajasthan and UP, Kerala moving out of the worst five; while Andhra’ ranking has dropped to 11th in FY23 from eighth in FY22, and Gujarat has slipped to the seventh rank from fifth.
- The report on the fiscal health of the key 17 states is based on the four key fiscal parameters–fiscal deficit; own tax revenue, state debt levels, all as a percentage of their individual gross state domestic product; and finally, the interest payment to revenue receipts.
- Based on these four parameters, Punjab, Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan and Kerala, are and will remain the most vulnerable to debt sustainability risks given their weak fiscal and debt metrics even prior to the pandemic, says the report, adding a June 2022 report by the Reserve Bank had also warned these states.
Goa government launched ‘Gramin Mitra’ scheme
- The government of Goa has launched its flagship scheme “Gramin Mitra” to provide doorstep delivery of government services across the state and promote digital empowerment in rural areas.
- The scheme will bridge the digital divide and promote digital empowerment in the rural parts of the state.
- The programme aims to empower rural communities with access to information and opportunities that can transform their lives and drive socioeconomic growth.
- Under the initiative, people can request public services by simply calling the dedicated call centre number, which operates from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.
- The program will help us accelerate the delivery of e-governance services to rural areas across the state.
About Goa
- Formation – 30 May 1987
- Capital – Panaji
- Chief Minister – Pramod Sawant
- Governor – S. Sreedharan Pillai
INCOIS launches ‘SAMUDRA’ mobile app for seafarers
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has come out with a new mobile application ‘SAMUDRA’ offering comprehensive information on all ocean-related services, useful for both seafarers and the fishing community.
- SAMUDRA’ stands for Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories.
- SAMUDRA mobile app is a cutting-edge tool helping users to navigate the marine domain with confidence on their safety, and profitable fishing operations.
- The mobile app also empowers users with real-time updates and critical alerts on oceanic disasters such as tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and swell surge alerts, for individuals and communities to stay informed and take necessary precautions towards the protection of lives and property.
UP’s first e-office system launched in Kannauj
- UP’s Kannauj has become the first district in the state to adopt e-office – the new digital gateway that cuts on manual handling of files and documents.
- The e-office is a Mission Mode Project (MMP) under the National e-Governance Plan.
- E-office is a workflow-based system that extends features of existing manual handling of files in addition to the more efficient electronic system.
- The efficiency of e-office not only helps departments in taking quick decisions but also makes them paperless.
About Uttar Pradesh
- Capital – Lucknow
- Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
- Governor – Anandiben Patel
Banking and Financial
ADB approves USD 40.5 mn loan for childhood development in Meghalaya
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development and maternal mental health in the northeastern state of Meghalaya.
- The Meghalaya government is contributing USD 15.27 million to the project.
- The project is expected to strengthen home-based childcare (children 0-1.5 years) and center-based childcare (1.5-6 years) through daycare (Anganwadi) centers in Meghalaya.
- The project aims to improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental health care and group-based parenting programs to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving.
- ADB’s assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children 0.5-6 years of age.
- ADB is committed to supporting the state government’s efforts to mainstream (early childhood development) ECD and in adopting this innovative project design that can be scaled up across the country.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Founded – 19 December 1966
- Headquarters – Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
- President – Masatsugu Asakawa
- Vice President – Ashok Lavasa
- Director of ADB for India – Takeo Konishi
- Executive Director – Sameer Kumar Khare
- Member Countries – 68 (Niue)
Recent Loan Approved by ADB
- India, ADB signed USD 200 million loan deal to enhance urban services in Rajasthan.
- Inda, ADB signed USD 130 million loan MoU to boost horticulture in Himachal Pradesh
- India, ADB signed USD 295 million loan pact to upgrade the state highways in Bihar
- India, ADB signed USD 200 million loan deal to enhance urban services in Rajasthan
Canara Bank introduced Canara Jeevan Dhara savings bank account
- Canara Bank has introduced Canara Jeevan Dhara, a special savings bank account for pensioners, and prospective pensioners.
- All the employees who retired on a voluntary basis or normal retirements are also eligible.
- The primary benefit of this account for senior citizens is that it is a zero-balance savings account. With this savings account, senior citizens do not have to maintain a minimum balance and there are no maintenance charges.
- The bank offers two variants depending on the pension credit. Diamonds account is for up to Rs 50,000 and Platinum account is for above Rs 50,000.
- The interest rate on Jeevan Dhara savings account will be same as regular savings account which ranges from 2.90% to 4% depending on the balance in the account.
About Canara Bank
- Founded – 1906
- Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- MD & CEO – K Satyanarayana Raju
- Tagline – Together with Can
Recent Facilities Launched in Banks & Insurance Sector
- Tata AIA introduces Industry-First Premium payment through WhatsApp
- Airtel Payments Bank launched India’s 1st Eco-Friendly Debit Card
- AU Small Finance Bank to provide 24×7 video banking service
- Postal Life Insurance Launches Direct Incentive Disbursement (DID) for sales staff
- Federal Bank launches NR savings accounts named “NRE Eve+” for NRI women
Zerodha gets final nod from Sebi to launch mutual fund business
- Stockbroking startup Zerodha has received the final approval from the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its asset management business.
- It is launching the asset management company in partnership with Smallcase, which was incubated within Zerodha’s in-house corporate fund Rainmatter.
- Zerodha started its journey in 2010 as a ‘Rs 20 per order broker’ and gained popularity as a no-frills, low-cost player among traders.
- CEO of Zerodha – Nithin Kamath
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- Founded – 12 April 1988
- Act – 1992
- Headquarters – Mumbai
- Chairman – Madhabi Puri Buch
- SEBI Set up – Uday Kotak committee
Appointment and Resignation
Parminder Chopra appoints as CEO of Power Finance Corporation
- Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) has appointed Parminder Chopra as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), becoming the first woman to lead the company.
- Previously, she was holding the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) since 1 June 2023 and was Director (Finance) PFC since 1 July 2020.
- With over 35 years of experience in power and finance, Chopra led India’s largest NBFC to the highest net profit, highest net worth and lowest NPA levels during her time as Director.
- She headed key finance functions like resource mobilization (domestic & international markets), banking, treasury, asset liability management and stressed asset resolution
- Parminder Chopra was conferred with the ‘Icon of the Year’ and ‘Finance Leader of the Year’ award for making significant contributions to the realms of business, finance, society, and the nation.
Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector
- MD of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) – R Doraiswamy (replace Mini Ipe)
- MD & CEO of SBI Life Insurance Company– Amit Jhingran
- Non-executive chairman of Axis Bank – NS Vishwanathan
- MD & CEO of SBI Cards & Payment Services – Abhijit Chakravorty (replace Rama Mohan Rao Amara)
- Chairperson of International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) – K. Rajaraman (replace Injeti Srinivas)
Awards
Indian-American Economist Raj Chetty awarded top Harvard University Prize
- Indian-American economist Raj Chetty has been awarded Harward University’s coveted George Ledlie Prize 2023 for wielding big data to break myths about who achieves the American Dream.
- Along with Chetty, Biologist Michael Springer, professor of systems biology at Harvard Medical School, who created a better, faster COVID test system to help deal with the spread of COVID, was also honoured with the coveted Harvard University’s George Ledlie Prize
- Chetty, Professor of Economics at Harvard University is also director of Opportunity Insights, a group of economists based at Harvard who study inequality
- The award is given every two years to a member of the Harvard community who has made the most valuable contribution to science or in any way for the benefit of mankind.
Recent Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award at RICS South Asia Awards – Subhash Runwal
- Global Leader Award 2023 – Jayesh Saini
- Diversity in Cinema Award at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne – Mrunal Thakur
- Global Visionary Entrepreneur Award – Deepak Shenoy (MD of Medec Dragon Pvt Ltd)
- Best Managed Pharmaceutical Sustainable Organizations Award 2023– Medec Dragon Pvt Ltd
Five Indian youths named among International Young Eco-Hero award 2023
- Five youths from India have been named among 17 teen environmental activists from across the globe to receive the 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award who have taken initiatives to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
- The young eco-warriors who were recognized for their efforts by the US-based non-profit organization, “Action For Nature”, are Eiha Dixit, Manya Harsha, Nirvaan Somany, Mannat Kaur, and Karnav Rastogi.
- The International Young Eco-Hero Awards programme recognizes and encourages children and teens from ages 8 to 16 who have taken action towards solving the most critical environmental issues.
- The awardees are eco-conscious youth who took crucial steps to solve tough environmental problems.
- Winners of the International Young Eco-Hero Award are selected by a panel of independent judges, including experts in environmental science, biology, and education.
- For the past 20 years, “Action For Nature” has recognised 339 Eco-Heroes from 27 countries and 32 US states, a media release on Tuesday said.
- Dixit, who won first place in this year’s competition has been growing saplings to protect the environment since she was 4.
- Manya Harsha who won second place in the 8–12-year-old category has embarked on a mission to raise awareness about environmental issues and climate action
Defence
President launches advanced frigate Vindhyagiri in Kolkata
- President Droupadi Murmu has launched ‘Vindhyagiri’, an advanced stealth frigate, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) facility on the banks of Hooghly River, Kolkata.
- This is the sixth of seven ships built under ‘Project 17 Alpha’ for the Navy. The first five ships of the project were launched between 2019 and 2022.
- This is the third and last stealth frigate that the Kolkata-based warship maker was contracted to build for the Navy under the project.
- 75 percent of orders for equipment and systems of P17A ships are from indigenous firms, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- P17A ships are guided missile frigates, each of which is 149 metres long, with the displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and a speed of 28 knots. These are capable of neutralizing threats in all three dimensions of air, surface, and sub-surface
- Earlier in the day, the president launched ‘My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal’ campaign under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ organized by Brahma Kumaris at the Raj Bhavan.
President Murmu in News
- President Murmu inaugurated unique ‘Festival of Libraries 2023’ in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
- President Murmu inaugurates new Jharkhand High Court building
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the President’s Colour to INS Dronacharya in Kochi
- President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference in Bhopal.
Government approved Rs 20000 crore deal to build five warships
- The government has approved a Rs 20,000 crore deal to manufacture fleet support vessels (FSVs) which are urgently required by the Indian Navy.
- Vizag-based Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) will manufacture five of the 45,000-tonne warships, the largest ship of its class being built at the defence ministry-owned yard.
- The Indian FSV project was initially given a go-ahead in 2016 after the Indian Navy projected a requirement for ships that could carry fuel and other supplies for warships at sea.
- The ships are needed to support warships on long-range patrol and can carry a variety of equipment, such as fuel, ammunition, and food supplies. They will be able to support ships of all classes, including the two Indian aircraft carriers.
Sports
Seema Bisla handed 1-year ban for whereabouts failure
- 2021 Asian Wrestling Championships bronze medalist and Olympian, Seema Bisla has been handed a year-long ban for whereabouts failure by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) of the NADA.
- The athlete’s ban began on May 12 of this year, according to the most recent list of athletes sanctioned by the ADDP.
- Seema Bisla was a part of the NADA’s Registered Testing Pool from April to June of 2024.
- Seema had won a bronze in women’s freestyle 50kg class in the 2021 Asian Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
About National Anti-Doping Agency
- Founded – 24 November 2005
- Headquarters – New Delhi, India
- Chairman – Minister of Sports (India)
- Affiliations – Indian Olympic Committee
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