Daily GK Updates - 2nd July, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. High Powered Committee for ‘Transformation of Indian Agriculture’: Prime minister has constituted a high powered committee of chief ministers for transforming Indian agriculture and raising farmers’ income. Maharashtra chief minister will be the convenor of the committee. The committee has been asked to submit its report within two months. The other members of the committee include: H.D. Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister, Karnataka; Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister, Haryana; Pema Khandu, Chief Minster, Arunachal Pradesh; Vijay Rupani, Chief Minster, Gujarat; Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh; Kamal Nath, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh; Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister, Agriculture Rural Development and Panchyati Raj. NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand will be the member secretary of the committee.

Note: The panel will suggest a mechanism for linking of market reforms with e-NAM, GRAM and other relevant Centrally Sponsored Schemes. It will also suggest policy measures to boost agricultural export, raise growth in food processing and attract investments in modern market infrastructure, value chains and logistics, besides making other key suggestions.

2. Indian Railways releases new All India Railway Timetable: Ministry of Railways has released its new All India Railway Timetable known as 'Trains At A Glance'. In addition to this, all the 17 Zonal Railways have also released their Zonal Railway Timetables. The new Trains at a Glance is available on Indian Railways’ official website- www.indianrailways.gov.in. The Northern Railway zone has introduced two new Tejas Express trains on the New Delhi-Chandigarh-New Delhi and the New Delhi-Lucknow-New Delhi routes.

3. Parliament approves the resolution to extend President rule in J&K: The Parliament has given its nod to the resolution seeking an extension of President rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a further period of six months with effect from 3rd July 2019. Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was also passed by Parliament with Rajya Sabha approving it today. A total of 3.50 lakh population of 435 villages will be benefitted through this amendment. The reservation bill proposes to give three per cent reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to people living within 10 kilometres of the International Border in Jammu.

Note: In India, the president's rule is the suspension of state government and imposition of direct central government rule in a state. Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India: A state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions the Central government can take direct control of the state machinery.

4. P.K. Purwar appointed as the CMD of BSNL: The GoI has appointed MTNL CMD P.K. Purwar as the  Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. He has been appointed for a period of three months starting July 1. He will replace Anupam Shrivastava as the CMD of BSNL.

Note: Union Minister of Communications and Electronics & Information Technology: Ravi Shankar Prasad.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India to contribute USD 5M in 2019 to UN Palestine refugee agency: India has pledged to contribute USD 5 Million in 2019 to the UN Palestine refugee agency. The Indian Government is assisting 150 Palestinian professionals every year under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme. 

Note: Palestine Capital: Ramallah & East Jerusalem.

2. New Zealand bans single-use plastic shopping bags: New Zealand has officially banned single-use plastic shopping bags. Under the new rules, thin plastic single-use shopping bags can no longer be supplied, but reusable carriers are allowed. Companies that break the ban will face heavy penalties, including fines of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars.
Note: New Zealand Capital: Wellington, Currency: New Zealand dollar.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Indian Pro Boxer Wins WBC Asia Title: Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav has become the WBC Asia Silver Welterweight Champion. He defeated Thailand's Fahpetch Singmanassak in the title bout held in Pattaya, Thailand. The fight was conducted by the Asian Boxing Council and approved by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Note: Thailand Capital: Bangkok, Currency: Baht.

2. Veer wins U-19 Asian Squash title: India’s Veer Chotrani has won a gold medal in Under-19 Squash title at the Asian Junior Championship in Macau, China. Veer Chotrani beat Yash Fadte. With this victory, Veer became the third Indian to win the Asian trophy after Ravi Dixit and Vela Senthilkumar. In the other two finals, India bagged two silver medals through Neel Joshi in the boys' Under-17 category and Yuvna Gupta in the girls' Under-15 section. India finished the tournament with one gold, three silver and as many bronze medals.

3. Sports Minister announces an increase in diet budget of all athletes to bring parity: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports ‘Kiren Rijiju’ has announced an increase in diet budget of all athletes to bring parity. The move will impact 12,500 athletes training in various centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The Sports Ministry will release an additional amount of 150 crore rupees annually to fund the new diet budget. Earlier, the diet budget for SAI trainees, junior athletes and senior athletes was Rs 250, Rs 480 and Rs 690 respectively.

4. Sports Journalists Federation of India 2019 Awards: SJFI Medal (Highest Honour): Prakash Padukone (Badminton). Sportsperson of the Year Award: Pankaj Advani (Billiards and Snooker) and Bajrang Punia (Wrestling). Emerging Talent of the Year Award: Saurabh Choudhary (Shooting). Team of the Year Award: Vidarbha Cricket Team.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SBI, NIIF in pact for funding infrastructure projects: The State Bank of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with National Investment and Infrastructure Fund to boost availability of capital for infrastructure projects. The scope of the agreement includes equity investments, project funding, bond financing, renewable energy support and take-out finance for operating assets.

Note: SBI Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar, Headquarters: Mumbai, Founded: 1 July 1955. MD & CEO of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund: Sujoy Bose.

DEFENCE

1. AFSPA extended in Nagaland till december end: Ministry of Home Affairs have extended The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act(AFSPA) for another six months in Nagaland. The Act is implemented with effect from June 30 and will be in force till December end.

Note: Union Home Minister of India: Amit Shah.

OBITUARIES

1. Professional motorcycle racer, Carlin Dunne passes away: Professional motorcycle racer, Carlin Dunne passes away. He unfortunately suffered a fatal crash during Ducati Streetfighter V4 prototype run at Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He was also known as “The King of the Mountain”.