Daily GK Updates - 14th June, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Virtual ID can be used for new SIM : Consumers can either give their Virtual IDs or Aadhaar card number to get new SIMs or verify existing ones, as per a notice by the telecom department.The Virtual ID system provides users with a 16-digit randomly generated number which can be used instead of the Aadhaar number.The service will be enabled on the UIDAI website from July 1.

2. New scheme by MP Chief Minister : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state will give ₹2 lakh to poor families whose heads die before the age of 60.He further said tat in case the head of the family dies in an accident, the state will give ₹4 lakh to the families.He also announced waiver on previous electricity bills.

3. KVIC Distributes 2330 Bee-Boxes In Kashmir : Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has created a world record of distributing the maximum number of bee-boxes in one day.This was achieved by the KVIC in the Zangalee Army area at Kupwara in Kashmir.It had beaten its previous best of 1000 bee boxes distributed in Kaziranga forest area among the Mishing tribe on the occasion of World Honey Bee Day (18 August). Solar Charkha Mission to be launchedThe Solar Charkha Mission of the Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), will be launched by the President, Ram Nath Kovind on June 27, 2018, in New Delhi.The Mission will cover 50 clusters and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans.The Mission has been approved by the Government of India and will disburse subsidy of Rs. 550 crore to the artisans.

4. 2 women battalions to be raised in J&K : To enhance the representation of women in the State Police, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved raising two women Battalions for Jammu & Kashmir Police.One battalion each would be raised for Jammu region and Kashmir region.60% of posts would be kept reserved for women of 10 border districts namely, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Kargil and Leh.

5. Cabinet approved ‘Three Year Action Plan’ : Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Three Year Action Plan (2017-2020) of the scheme for Agricultural Education Division and ICAR Institutes with an outlay of Rs.2225.46 crore.It comprises of: “Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India”The scheme is aimed to generate quality human resources from the institutions of higher agricultural education

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Blood Donor Day, 14 June 2018 : Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day.The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations.This year’s slogan is “Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life”.

2. Bindeshwar honoured with Nikkei Asia Prize : Social reformer & founder of Sulabh Int. Bindeshwar Pathak was honoured with Japan’s prestigious Nikkei Asia Prize.The award was given under Culture and Community category for his significant work in tackling poor hygiene and discrimination.Launched in 1996, the award honours people in Asia who have made significant contributions in science, technology & innovation and culture & community.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. 1st BEL Representative Office In Vietnam : Raksha Mantri, Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the first Representative Office of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited in Hanoi, Vietnam.Smt Sitharaman handed over the symbolic key of the Representative Office of BEL at Vietnam (VIRO) to Chairman of BEL.The Representative Office will aim to promote BEL’s exports in areas such as Weapon Systems, Radar Systems, Naval Systems etc.

2. Composite Water Management Index by NITI Aayog : NITI Aayog has come up with the Composite Water Management Index as a useful tool to assess and improve the performance in the efficient management of water resources.This index is an attempt to inspire States and UTs towards efficient and optimal utilization of water.

The index would provide useful information for the States and also for the concerned Central Departments.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Share capital of HDFC Bank to increase : Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for grant of permission to M/s. HDFC Bank Ltd. to raise additional share capital of up to a maximum of Rs. 24,000 crore.The composite foreign shareholding in the Bank shall not exceed 74% of the enhanced paid-up equity share capital of the bank.

The proposed investment is expected to strengthen the capital adequacy ratio of the bank.

DEFENCE:

1.US approves sale of Apache choppers to India : The US government has approved a deal to sell six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to India for $930 million.The US will also provide night vision sensors, control radars, Hellfire Longbow missiles and Stinger air-to-air missiles to India under the deal.“(The helicopters) will increase India’s capability to counter ground-armoured threats and modernise its armed forces,” the US said.

SPORTS:

1. 2018 FIFA World Cup : The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Russia on June 14.

Thirty-two teams from around the world will compete in the month-long tournament that concludes on July 15.Qatar will be the next host nation in 2022, a highly contested choice.This year’s World Cup mascot is a soccer-playing wolf named Zabivaka.