Daily GK Updates - 3rd October, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Chhattisgarh Government Launched 5 New Schemes: Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched 5 new schemes namely Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyaan, Mukhyamantri Haat Bazaar Clinic Yojana, Mukhyamantri Shahariya Slum Swasthya Yojana, Universal PDS Scheme and Mukhyamantri Ward Karyalaya .

Under Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyaan (Chief Minister Nutrition Scheme), which was started as a pilot project in June 2019, fresh and nutritious food is provided to malnourished children and anaemic women with the help of panchayats and self-help groups.

Under the Mukhyamantri Haat Bazaar Clinic Yojana (Chief Minister Market Clinic Scheme), mobile teams of health department along with doctors and necessary equipment will visit local haat-bazaars to provide health facilities in remote tribal and forest areas of the state.

Under Mukhyamantri Shahariya Slum Swasthya Yojana (Chief Minister Urban Slum Health Scheme), mobile medical team along with available health facilities will cater to health care needs of over 7 lakh 80 thousand people. Initially 3 mobile medical teams will be deployed in Raipur, 2 each in Bhilai and Korba and one each in other municipalities.

Under the Universal PDS (Public Distribution System) scheme, general category families (taxpayers and non-taxpayers) are eligible for food grains. Families with single member will be eligible for 10 kg of rice per month, a family of 2 members will get 20 kg of rice per month and family of 3 and more than 3 members will get 35 kg of rice per month at a cost of Rs 10 per kg.

Under Mukhyamantri Ward Karyalayas (Chief Minister Ward Offices), city people will be provided immediate availability of citizen services and facilities according to their demands.

Note: Chhattisgarh capital: Raipur; Governor: Anusuiya Uikey

2. J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik gives assent to National Law University Bill 2019: The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Satya Pal Malik has given assent to the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University Bill 2019 for establishing a National Law University in the J&K, which will help disseminate knowledge about law and legal processes and promote legal awareness to achieve political, social and economic justice. Jammu and Kashmir National Law University Act enactment will bring the state at par with other states where such universities have been established.

Note: J&K Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer); Governor: Satya Pal Malik

It is a proposed union territory (UT) of India, located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent (Proposed from 31 October 2019).

3. Home Minister Amit Shah flags off Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on 3rd October, flagged off the Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express from the New Delhi Railway Station to Katra in Jammu. Train number 22439 New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express will depart from the New Delhi Railway Station at 6 am to reach Katra at 2 pm. En route, the train will halt at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana and Jammu Tawi for two minutes each. On the return journey the same day, train number 22440 Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express will leave from the Katra Railway Station at 3 pm to reach the New Delhi Railway Station at 11 pm. The first commercial run of the train will start from 5th October. This is the second Vande Bharat Express, the first runs between Delhi and Varanasi.

Railways Board chairman: Vinod Kumar Yadav.

4. Railway cleanliness survey 2019: Three railway stations of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Durgapura have topped the Railway Cleanliness Survey 2019, conducted at 720 railway stations by the Ministry of Railways. Mumbai’s Andheri, Virar and Naigaon stations have topped the total 109 stations in the category of suburban stations. Among the railway divisions, North Western Railway stood at the top, South Eastern Railway at the second position and East Central Railway at the third position. Bottom ranking- Four stations of Southern Railway- Perungalathur, Guduvanchari, Singaperumalkoil, Ottapallam were at the bottom of the rankings. Most improved stations: Non-suburban stations Faizabad and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh have shown the most improvement from last year.

5. Consumer Affairs Minister launched ‘Consumer App’ in New Delhi: The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launched a ‘Consumer App’ in New Delhi in order to redress public grievances and provide valuable solutions on consumer-related issues. The app, which strengthens ‘digital India’ objectives, provides a one-stop solution to the consumer grievances via mobile devices. A consumer can sign up with an OTP (one-time password) and create a user ID and password for its usage. The app has a built-in feature of tracking the lodged grievances. Other various important links to get information pertaining to 42 sectors are also made available in the app which can be used in Hindi and English. The app is available in android and IoS platforms and could be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store respectively.

6. PK Gupta appointed as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of NBCC: As per the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Government of India (GoI), PK Gupta has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NBCC (National Buildings Construction Corporation) Limited till September 30, 2023. He succeeds in Shri Shiv Das Meena. Prior to this appointment, Gupta serving as Executive Director of engineering services company RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) Limited.

7. A new book titled “The Tech Whisperer” penned by Jaspreet Bindra released: A new book entitled “The Tech Whisperer”, written by digital transformation expert Jaspreet Bindra, features a chapter on AI (Artificial Intelligence). The book has been published by Penguin India. The book will describes and simplify “emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, Internet of things, virtual reality,” and talk about how companies can employ these to drive their digital transformation.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is organizing India Economic Summit (IES) in New Delhi: The World Economic Forum (WEF) is organizing a two-day India Economic Summit (IES) from 3rd - 4th October 2019 in New Delhi. The summit is being hosted in collaboration with Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The summit will have special focus on collaboration with South Asia and ASEAN countries. The summit will be co-chair by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheiikh Hasina along with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

2. International conference on drug situation held in Imphal, Manipur: A 2- day “Regional Conference on Developing a Comprehensive Approach: Combating Illicit Trafficking of Afghan Opiates and Drug Situation in the Northeast (NE)” held in Imphal, Manipur. Manipur Chief Minister (CM) N Biren Singh was the chief guest for the event. The event is the continuation of the earlier conference held at Chandigarh in Punjab in 2018. The conference has been organized by the Manipur State Government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office, South Asia (UNODC-ROSA). The conference discussed the increasing cases of illicit drug trafficking in the NE region and recommended 8 key measures, which will be shared and finalized. Partakers: Representatives from Southeast Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the event.

Note: Manipur Capital: Imphal; Governor: Najma Heptulla; Chief minister: N. Biren Singh

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Former Indian cricketer, Kapil Dev resigned as chairman of CAC: Following a conflict of interest complaint, India’s 1983 World Cup-winning cricket team captain, Kapil Dev has resigned as the chairman of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) days after Shanta Rangaswamy stepped down from the 3-member committee. The CAC made Ravi Shastri the head coach of Team India. Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) member Sanjeev Gupta filed a complaint against the CAC, where the coach-elect committee members are playing multiple roles simultaneously. Kapil Dev, along with being the head of CAC, is a commentator, owner of a Floodlight company and a member of the Indian Cricketers Association. Gaikwad, on the other hand, is a BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)-accredited committee member besides owning an academy.

President of BCCI: C.K. Khanna; Headquarters of BCCI: Mumbai.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Bank of Baroda signs MoU with Indian Army for customised services: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army under which the bank would offer customised services along with a host of facilities to account holders. The MoU includes handsome free personal accident insurance cover, free air accident insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh and an overdraft facility up to three times of monthly net salary. The features are also applicable for pensioners of Indian Army up to the age of 70 years.

Note: Managing Director & CEO of BOB: P S Jayakumar; Headquarters: Baroda, Gujarat.

2. CBDT launches unique DIN for taxpayers: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) launched a computer-generated Unique Document Identification Number (DIN) to ensure greater transparency and accountability in tax administration for taxpayers. It was created as per the direction of Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and was made operative from October 1, 2019. It is applicable to all kinds of communications from the income tax department related to assessment, appeals, investigation, penalty, and rectification among other things.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Mahindra & Mahindra formed Joint venture with Ford: Indian multinational car manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) formed a Joint Venture (JV) with Ford Motor Company (FMC) worth Rs 1925 crore after it bought a 51% stake in the Indian unit of the United States’ Ford, thus will be managing Ford’s Indian Operations. Now, Mahindra has the access to Ford’s India production facilities at its Chennai and the Sanand, Gujarat plants. M&M acquired 51% equity share capital of Ardour Automotive, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford in India, thus leading to a JV with Ford. The transaction will be completed by the mid of 2020 and the equity value is likely to be Rs 657 crore.

Note: M&M Established: 1945; Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Parent organization: Mahindra Group; Chief Executive Officer: Anand Mahindra

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Sachin Tendulkar honored with Swachhata Ambassador Award: On the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the President Ram Nath Kovind honoured veteran cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with the most effective Swachchta Ambassador Award. The award was presented to the master blaster Sachin for utilizing his popularity and fame to ensure India achieves its goal of a Swachh Bharat. The award was presented during the India Today Safaigiri Summit in New Delhi.

Note: In 2014, Sachin Tendulkar was honoured with Bharat Ratna becoming the youngest recipient of the highest civilian award in the country.

2. President Kovind to confer Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019: President Ram Nath Kovind will confer the Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019 on the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons. The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of awards instituted by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry and gradually upgraded to the status of National Awards for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons.

3. President Kovind to confer Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019: President Ram Nath Kovind will confer the Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019 on the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons. The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of awards instituted by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry and gradually upgraded to the status of National Awards for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons.

OBITUARIES

1. Doyen of nutrition research Dr. Colathur Gopalan passes away: The doyen of nutrition research in India, Colathur Gopalan (100), passed away in Chennai. Gopalan was a recipient of the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan. Dr Gopalan held eminent positions, including being the Director of the National Institute of a Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, and the Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) from 1973-79. As an institution builder, he helped to set up three national institutes for research in Malaria, Leprosy and Vector Control Research.