Daily GK Updates - 3rd May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Online system for grant of security clearance : An online system for grant of security clearance to international conferences, seminars and workshops organised in India was launched by the Home Ministry.The online portal  “https://conference.mha.gov.in” was launched by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.Obtaining clearances for organising a conference, issue of conference visa to foreign delegates was an offline procedure till now.

2. ‘Go to Village’ mission launched in Manipur : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh launched ‘Go to Village’ mission throughout the state of Manipur.The mission was launched on May 2 in 60 villages of all the 60 Assembly constituencies.The mission is aimed at identifying the eligible and deserving beneficiaries in every corner of the state anddelivering  government services at their doorstep.

3. Govt doubles PMVVY pension investment limit : The government has doubled the investment limit to Rs 15 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandan Yojana (PMVVY) pension scheme and extended the subscription period by two years till March 31, 2020.PMVVY is for senior citizens and was available from 4th May 2017 to 3rd May 2018.The scheme provides an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years.

3. Jagdish sworn-in as acting Manipur Governor : Jagdish Mukhi has been sworn in as the acting Governor of Manipur by the acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, Justice N Kotiswar Singh.Mukhi, who is the governor of Assam & Meghalaya, will hold office in the absence of Governor Najma Heptullah.Article 153 states that nothing shall prevent the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States.

4. Cabinet renames minority development programme : Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has renamed the Multi-sectoral Development Programme as Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.The restructured programme aims to provide better socioeconomic infrastructure facilities to minority communities, particularly in the field of education, health & skill development.The scheme would extend to 308 districts compared to 196 districts at present.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India, US discuss maritime security : India and the US held their third maritime security dialogue in Goa from 30th April to 1st May.The two sides discussed developments in the maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific Region and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen bilateral maritime security cooperation.They also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during the previous Maritime Security Dialogues.

2. World Press Freedom Day observed on 3rd May : World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993.Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the ‘Declaration of Windhoek’ is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.It is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom.

The theme for 2018 is “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law”.

3. Pakyong to become 100th functional airport : The Pakyong airport in Sikkim is set to become the 100th operational airport in the country when it will be commissioned in June.

Sikkim was the only state without an airport in the country.SpiceJet has been granted permission to fly to Pakyong in Sikkim from Kolkata under the Civil Aviation Ministry’s Regional Connectivity Scheme.

4. India, China militaries to set up hotline : Militaries of India & China have agreed to set up a hotline between their headquarters after the informal summit between PM Modi & President Xi in Wuhan.Hotline is regarded as a major confidence-building measure as it would enable the militaries of both countries to intensify communication to avert border tensions.India already has a hotline with Pakistan that was first used in 1991.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Government aid to reduce sugarcane dues : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to provide financial assistance of Rs. 5.50 per quintal of cane crushed in sugar season 2017-18 to sugar mills.This will help sugar mills to clear cane dues of farmers.The assistance shall be paid directly to the farmers on behalf of the mills.

2. ICICI Bank named Nair as Independent Director : Former IRDAI member Radhakrishnan Nair has been appointed to ICICI Bank’s board as an Additional (Independent) Director.His appointment will be for a period of five years and is subject to shareholders’ approval.He is already an independent director of 3 subsidiaries of ICICI Bank — ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, ICICI Prudential Trust and ICICI Securities Primary Dealership.

DEFENCE:

 1. India among top 5 defence spenders : According to a Swedish arms watchdog, India & China were among the 5 biggest military spenders which together accounted for 60% of the total global defence expenditure of $1.739 trillion in 2017.India spent $63.9 billion in 2017 to expand, modernise & enhance the operational capability of its armed forces.The 5 top military spenders in 2017 were US, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia & India.

SPORTS:

1. England jump up to number one in ODI rankings : England has replaced India at the top of International Cricket Council one-day rankings.England, who last topped the ODI rankings in Jan 2013, has gained 8 points & moved to 125 points.India with 122 points is at the 2^nd position followed by South Africa & New Zealand.England’s rise up the table is because the forgettable 2014-15 season was dropped from the latest calculations.