Daily GK Updates - 19th July, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. HRD Minister releases UGC guide to the student induction programme: The Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank released the UGC Guide ‘Deeksharambh’ in New Delhi. The guide will help new students to build bonds with fellow students and faculty members in the new environment.

Note: ‘Deeksharambh’ is a guide to Student Induction Programme (SIP) to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution. To promote Deeksharambh, UGC will shortly conduct awareness and training programmes for teachers in different regions in the country.

2. Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill 2019: The Lok Sabha has passed the Finance Bill, 2019 that will give effect to the proposals of the Central Government for the year 2019-20. The Finance Bill contains tax proposals for the current fiscal. The proposed amendments will promote 'Make in India' and Startups. 

Note: Union Finance Minister of India: Nirmala Sitharaman.

3. BSE, Haryana govt sign pact to facilitate MSMEs raise capital: BSE has inked a pact with Haryana government to encourage and support state's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to raise capital. The Government of Haryana and BSE intend to facilitate SMEs in raising funds through BSE's dedicated platform for SME's "BSE SME" where small companies can list and raise productive capital, gain visibility and credibility vis-a-vis large corporates.

Note: Capital of Haryana: Chandigarh; Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar; Governor:Satyadev Narayan Arya; Managing Director & CEO of BSE: Ashish Kumar Chauhan.

           

4. Health Ministry signs MoU for enhanced cooperation to end TB by 2025: Union Health Ministry has signed an MoU with Ministries of Ayush, Defence and Railways to strengthen the efforts towards a TB-Free India by 2025. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister of State for Health Ashwini K Choubey and Minister of AYUSH Shripad Nayak. Around 28 lakh people contract the disease every year in the country and four lakh people die every year.

Note: Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects your lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.

5. GeM, SAIL signs pact to set up project management unit: Government eMarketplace and Steel Authority of India has signed an MoU to set up GeM Organizational Transformation Team - Project Management Unit (GOTT-PMU). With this MoU, SAIL has become the first public sector undertaking to establish GOTT PMU for transforming their procurement landscape and increasing their footprint on GeM.

Note: CEO of Government e Marketplace (GeM): Radha Chauhan; Chairman of SAIL: Anil Kumar Chaudhary.

6. Cabinet approves Rs 1,600 cr for Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal: Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved 1,600 crore rupees for Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is envisaged as a storage-based hydro-electric project with flood moderation as the key objective. This is the largest ever Hydro Electric Projects to be constructed in India with a height of 278 metres, once completed. The Union Cabinet also approved the doubling of a vital railway line connecting Guwahati with New Bongaigaon at a cost of 2,042 crore rupees. The project will be completed by 2022-23 and will be executed by the construction organisation of the Northeast Frontier Railway. It also cleared seven amendments to the insolvency law that seeks to put in place a 330-day deadline for the corporate resolution process.

Note: CM of Arunachal Pradesh: Pema Khandu. Governor: B. D. Mishra.

7. Cabinet extends 15th Finance Commission's term up to 30th Nov: The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of Fifteenth Finance Commission up to 30th November this year. It will enable the Commission to examine various comparable estimates for financial projections in view of reforms and the new realities to finalise its recommendations for the period 2020-2025. Cabinet has also approved the proposed amendment to enable Fifteenth Finance Commission to address serious concerns regarding the allocation of adequate, secure and non-lapsable funds for defence and internal security of India.

Note: The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted by the President on 27th November 2017. It was to submit its report on the basis of its Terms of Reference by 30th October this year covering a period of five years commencing from 1st April 2020.

8. Garbage Cafe scheme launched in Ambikapur city of Chhattisgarh: The Municipal Corporation of Ambikapur has launched a ‘Garbage Cafe scheme’ (India’s first garbage cafe) at Ambikapur city in Chhattisgarh. Under this scheme, a person fetching a kilo of plastic waste to the garbage cafe will be assured of a full meal. Those collecting at least 500 grams will benefit from a substantial breakfast. Earlier, Ambikapur was ranked second cleanest city in India after Indore.

9. Prakash Javadekar inaugurates 10th Jagran film festival: Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated the 10th Jagran Film Festival at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. He highlighted the importance and impact of cinema on the life of people and termed that it is a medium which connects people. He recalled the historical development of cinema in India and the growing impact of Indian cinema as a transporter of India’s soft power.

Note: Jagran Film Festival (JFF) is perhaps the world's largest travelling film festival rooted in India, conducted since 2010. The festival is a Jagran Prakashan Group initiative aimed at promoting the appreciation of the cinematic art beyond the major metropolitan cities of India to smaller towns.

10. "Kargil: Untold stories from the War" Book released: "Kargil: Untold stories from the War", the book published by Penguin Random House, is authored by Rachna Bisht Rawat. On the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War, a new book will revisit the freezing battle grounds of the 1999 conflict through untold stories of its bravest soldiers.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. European Union fines chipmaker Qualcomm $271 million: European Union has fined US based chipmaker Qualcomm $271 million, accusing it of "predatory pricing" to drive a competitor out of the market. Baseband chipsets are key components of mobile devices which enables it to connect to the internet. Qualcomm sold these products at a price below cost to key customers with the intention of eliminating a competitor.

2. Sri Lanka signs agreement with India to upgrade railway lines: Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with India to upgrade tracks in a key railway segment connecting the north and south at a cost of $ 91.26 million. This is the first time in 100 years that the 130 km-long-tracks, running from Maho town in the North Western Province to Omanthai in the Northern Province, are being upgraded. The contract agreement for concessional financing was signed in Colombo between the Government of Sri Lanka and IRCON International Ltd (India). India has so far upgraded around 300 km of railway track and provided modern signalling & telecommunication system for around 330 km in Sri Lanka.

Note: Chairman & Managing Director, IRCON: Sunil Kumar Choudhury.

3. Ebola outbreak declared global health emergency in DR Congo: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ‘Ebola crisis’ in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. The UN health agency made the announcement days after the virus was confirmed in Goma, a major regional crossroads in north eastern Congo on the Rwandan border. According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO director-general), it was time for the world to take notice of the epidemic and called for a redoubling of efforts to battle it back. More than 1,600 people have died since August in the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which is unfolding in a region described as a war zone. This is the fifth such declaration in history.

Note: Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola, is a viral hemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates caused by ebolaviruses. The virus spreads through direct contact with body fluids, such as blood from infected humans or other animals.

4. First, ever use of Indian waterway to transport Cargo from Bhutan to Bangladesh: The first-ever use of an Indian waterway to transport cargo from Bhutan to Bangladesh via India. A shipment of stone aggregates was formally received at Narayangunj by Riva Ganguli Das (Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh) along with Sonam T. Rabgye (Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh). The Indian cargo ship MV AAI carrying stone aggregates from Bhutan arrived in Narayanganj in Bangladesh through the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route.  The stone aggregates were transported by trucks from Phuentsholing in Bhutan which is 160 kms from Dhubri jetty in Assam before being shipped to Bangladesh through the Brahmaputra. The transport of cargo through this route will cut short travel time by 8 to 10 days and reduce transportation cost by 30 per cent. It will also be a more environmentally friendly mode of transport.

5. India permits 1,239 tonnes of raw sugar export to the US: The Union government has permitted the export of 1,239 tonnes raw sugar under its tariff-rate quota (TRQ) to the US, which enables shipments to enjoy relatively low tariff. TRQ is a quota for a volume of exports that enter the US at relatively low tariffs. After the quota is reached, a higher tariff applies to additional imports. Directorate General of Foreign Trade in a public notice said that an additional quantity of 1,239 tonnes of raw cane sugar to be exported to the US under TRQ up to September 30, 2019. The country enjoys duty-free sugar exports to the US for up to 10,000 tonnes annually under preferential quota arrangement.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Sarabjot Singh wins India's ninth gold in ISSF Junior World Cup: In Shooting, India’s Sarabjot Singh (17-year) shot a 239.6 to bag the men's 10 metres air pistol gold medal in ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. This is India's ninth yellow metal at ISSF Junior World Cup event. Now, India remains on top of the medal standings with nine gold, nine silver and four bronze for a total of 22 medals.

Note: The 2019 ISSF Junior World Cup is the annual edition of the ISSF Junior World Cup, governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation.

2. Inzamam-ul-Haq decides to step down as Pakistan chief selector: Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has decided to step down as Pakistan chief selector. According to Inzamam-ul-Haq, he would not seek an extension or renewal of his contract, which is due to expire by the end of this month. Inzamam came under severe criticism as the chief selector after Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockouts in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup.

3. ICC suspends Zimbabwe Cricket: International Cricket Council has suspended Zimbabwe for failing to ensure there is no government interference in its running of the sport. ICC funding has been withdrawn and the country will be barred from participating at ICC events. Zimbabwe's Test status was suspended by the ICC in June 2004.

Note: ICC Chairman: Shashank Manohar; ICC of Headquarter:Dubai, UAE; The 13th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup will be held in India from February 9 to March 26, 2023.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Bimal Jalan panel report on surplus RBI reserves 'finalised': Bimal Jalan led six-member panel on Economic Capital Framework (ECF), formed by RBI has finalised its report on surplus RBI reserves. The panel has recommended that surplus reserves held by the central bank should be transferred to the government in tranches over three to five years. 

Note: RBI Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. P T Usha nominated for IAAF Veteran Pin: Former Olympic track and field athlete P T Usha has been nominated for the International Association of Athletics Federations Veteran Pin for her ‘long and meritorious service to the cause of World Athletics’. She will receive the pin during the opening ceremony of the 52nd IAAF Congress in Doha.

Note: IAAF CEO: Jon Ridgeon.

2. Sachin Tendulkar inducted into ICC’s Hall of Fame 2019: Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar (46-years) and South African pace legend Allan Donald (52-years) and  Australian woman cricketer Cathryn Fitzpatrick  have been inducted into the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Hall of Fame 2019. Sachin Tendulkar (retired in November 2013) has 34,357 runs across formats and is the only batsman to have 100 international hundreds under his belt. Allan Donald is one of the finest bowlers to have played the game and had 330 Test and 272 ODI wickets to his credit before calling it quits in 2003. Fitzpatrick is the second-highest wicket-taker of all time in women’s cricket with 180 ODI scalps and 60 in Tests.

Note: The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of the legends of the game from cricket's long and illustrious history. It was launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai on 2 January 2009, in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), as part of the ICC's centenary celebrations; Other Indians on the list are Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid; ICC Chairman: Shashank Manohar, Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

DEFENSE

1.  INS Sagardhwani embarks on mission Sagar Maitri: INS Sagardhwani embarked on a two-month-long Sagar Maitri Mission-2 from Southern Naval Command in Kochi. INS Sagardhwani is an oceanographic research vessel of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Sagar Maitri is a unique initiative of the DRDO to promote closer cooperation in socio-economic aspects as well as greater scientific interaction, especially in ocean research among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries.

Note: Chief of DRDO: G Satheesh Reddy.