Daily GK Updates - 29th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. FM Sitharaman formally launches scheme for instant allotment of online PAN: In order to ease the process of allotment of PAN number, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on 28 May 2020, officially launched the facility for instant online PAN allotment on furnishing Aadhaar details. Under this system, Permanent Account Number (PAN) shall be instantly allotted online on the basis of Aadhaar without filling up the detailed application form. The ‘beta version’ for instant allotment of PAN on trial basis was started on February 12, 2020 on the e-filing website of the Income-Tax Department. Only those applicants who have a valid Aadhaar number and a mobile number registered with Aadhaar can use this facility. The electronic PAN (e-PAN) will be issued to applicants free-of-cost. A 15-digit acknowledgement number will be generated and after successful allotment can download e-PAN.

2. R Sreelekha became the first women DGP of Kerela: R Sreelekha (1987 batch IPS officer) has been appointed as the first woman Director General of Police in Kerala as the Kerala government has appointed her as Fire and Rescue Services DGP. She is presently an Additional Director General of Police, heading the Prisons and Correctional Services Department. She is a recipient of President’s police medal. She became first woman Superintendent of Kerela Police in 1991. She has been named for being elevated at the post of DGP in 2017 but got the status of pending promotion due to fewer seats. She will retire from service in December this year.

Note: Chief Minister of Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan; Governor of Kerala: Arif Mohammad Khan; Capital of Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram.

3. Centre Renames CIPET as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology: The government has recently renamed Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET). CIPET is a premier national institution under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India. The new name has been registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 1975 ( Tamil Nadu Act 27 of 1975). CIPET can now look after the growth of entire petrochemical sector with focus on Academics, Skilling, Technology Support and Research.

Note: CIPET Head office: Chennai.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers: DV Sadananda Gowda.

4. ADB and GoI signs $177 million loan for road construction in Maharashtra: The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India have signed a $177 million loan to upgrade the 450 km of state highways and major district roads in the state of Maharashtra. The road improvement project consists of improving 2 major district roads and 11 state highways having the combined length of 450 km. The project will also involve the strengthening of road safety measures with the development of a road safety audit framework that will led to the protection of vulnerable groups including the elderly, women, and children. It will also train the Maharashtra Public Works Department project staff to enhance their capacity in climate change adaptation and disaster resilient features in various aspects such as road design, road maintenance planning and road safety.

Note: Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

President of Asian Development Bank: Masatsugu Asakawa; ADB headquarter Manilla, Philippine.

5. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 22nd Meeting of FSDC: The 22nd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was chaired by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. During the meeting, present global and domestic macro-economic situation was reviewed including the financial stability and vulnerabilities issues. They also reviewed major issues that are likely to be faced by banks as well as other financial institutions. Composition: RBI governor, chairpersons of SEBI, IRDA, PFRDA and finance ministry officials.

6. Labour minister inaugurates twitter handle for labour statistics: Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar has launched twitter handle @LabourDG for Labour Bureau to provide latest statistics for labour welfare. The handle will be a regular source of snapshot on Indian Labour Market Indicators that helps Government for formulation and implementation of policies. Labour Bureau has been collecting and disseminating information about wages, earnings, productivity, working and living conditions of labour with Index number.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Brazil’s Marcos Prado Troyjo Named as new President of NDB: The board of governors of the New Development Bank (NDB) has unanimously elected Marcos Prado Troyjo, former deputy economy minister of Brazil, as the new President of NDB. He will replace KV Kamath. Marcos is scheduled to take charge on July 7, 2020. The board of governors has also appointed India’s Anil Kishora as vice president of the NDB. Kishora has 38 years of experience at India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI). The Board of Governors of the NDB held a Special Meeting in virtual format on May 27, 2020, in which finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman represented India.

Note: President of New Development Bank: K. V Kamath; Vice President and CRO of New Development Bank: Sarquis J. B. Sarquis. NDB Headquarter: Shanghai, China.

2. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: 29th May: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on May 29 annually to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. It was first observed on 29th May 1948 for deployment of UN military to Middle East. The theme for this year’s Day is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace” to help mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

3. World Digestive Health Day: 29th May: Every year, the World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is observed on 29 May. It is organised by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) in collaboration with the WGO Foundation (WGOF). Each year the day focuses upon a particular digestive disease and/or disorder in order to increase general public awareness of prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management and treatment of the disease and/or disorder. The theme for the World Digestive Health Day 2020 campaign is “Gut Microbiome: A Global Perspective.” World Digestive Health Day was launched in 2004 to mark the 45th anniversary of the creation of the World Gastroenterology Organisation.

Note: WGO Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; WGO Founded: 1958.

4. International Everest Day: 29th May: International Everest Day is observed on 29 May every year. It was on this day in 1953 that Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary had climbed the Mt. Everest, becoming the first humans to achieve the feat. The International Everest Day is held since 2008, when the legendary climber Hillary passed away.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. 36th National Games postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19: The 36th National Games, planned for October-November in Goa, was deferred indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee to convey a social event in September end and decide on fixing dates for National Games. Goa Government to require guidance from Union Sports Ministry, need four months notification ahead of time to compose games. The last edition of the Games was held in 2015 in Kerala.

Note: Indian Olympic Association President: Narinder Dhruv Batra; Indian Olympic Association Headquarters: New Delhi.

2. IOC appoints Narinder Batra as Olympic Channel Commission member: President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Narinder Batra has been appointed as a member of Olympic Channel Commission by International Olympic Committee (IOC). He had earlier served as the president of Hockey India (2014-2016) and Asian Hockey Federation (2003-2013). He also served as the treasurer of Delhi & District Cricket Association (2003-2013). The Olympic Channel Commission exhorts the IOC (International Olympic Committee) meeting, the IOC Executive Board, the IOC President and provides guidance throughout the launch and operation of the Olympic Channel. The commission advises the growth & development of the Olympic Channel from its initial launch phase through to its mature and established form.

Note: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; IOC President: Thomas Bach.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SN Rajeswari appointed as the CMD of Oriental Insurance Company: SN Rajeswari has been selected as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Oriental Insurance Company (OIC) by Banks Board Bureau (BBB) for two years tenure. She will succeed AV Girija Kumar, who is retiring on 30 May 2020 on reaching 60. Rajeswari, a chartered accountant, is currently the second senior most General Manager and CFO of the public sector general insurance industry, New India Assurance (NIA) and will retire in May 2022. She had started her career as an insurer with United India Insurance Chennai and was later shifted to NIA as a deputy general manager.

Note: OIC Headquarters: New Delhi; OIC Founded: 12 September 1947.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Leo Puri to take over as new Chairman of JP Morgan’s South & Southeast Asia region: Former chief executive at UTI Mutual Fund, Leo Puri, has been named as the next Chairman of JP Morgan for the South Asia and South East Asia region. He would succeed veteran banker Kalpana Morparia who would retire from the post by the end of the first quarter of 2021 after leading the US bank in India and the region for nearly 12 years. In another major top-level change, Murali Maiya will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JP Morgan South and South East Asia.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of JP Morgan: Jamie Dimon.

2. Aiman Ezzat becomes new CEO of Capgemini Group: Aiman Ezzat has become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French technology major Capgemini Group and will replace the presently serving Paul Hermelin who will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board. Aiman Ezzat was earlier serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Capgemini Group and has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of the company in the past.

3. Thierry Delaporte appointed as new CEO and MD of Wipro Limited: IT major firm Wipro Limited has appointed Thierry Delaporte as it’s new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He will take charge with effect from July 6, 2020. Before this appointment, Thierry Delaporte was the Chief Operating Officer of Capgemini Group and a member of its Group Executive Board. Mr. Delaporte will succeed company’s current CEO and MD Abidali Neemuchwala, who will relinquish his position as CEO and MD on June 1, 2020. Till then company’s Chairman Rishad Premji will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company until July 5.

Note: Chairman of Wipro Limited: Rishad Premji.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. South African Researcher Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins France’s Christophe Merieux Prize: A South African based researcher, Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been awarded one of France’s top science prizes, Christophe Merieux Prize for the year 2020. The half a million-euro ($551,000) award is presented every year by the Institut de France to support research into infectious diseases in developing countries. The 60-year-old Karim has been awarded for her research work where she founded that a topical gel could stop many women catching the virus. She is the head at the Durban-based Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA).

Note: President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa; Currency: Rand

DEFENCE

1. Western Naval Command develops Ultraviolet Disinfection Facilities: Western Naval Command (Mumbai) has developed UV sanitisation bay to resume the work after lockdown. The UV bay will be used for decontamination of tools, clothes, and other items to control the spread of coronavirus. Large common room will be converted into a UV bay by fabrication of aluminium sheets electrical arrangements for UV-C lighting. The facility is placed at the entry/ exit points for mitigating transmission of COVID-19.

OBITUARIES

1. First Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi passes away: The first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi has passed away. A bureaucrat-turned politician, Ajit Jogi was a mass leader who dominated the state’s politics for long time. He was an MLA from Marwahi seat in the current assembly. He served as the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh from November 2000 to November 2003.

Note: Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor: Sushri Anusuiya Uikey.

2. Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Kumar passes away: Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister of State for Finance Veerendra Kumar (83 years) passes away. He was the leader of Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD). He was also the MD of Mathrubhumi group of publications. He was elected as Lok Sabha member and since April 2016, he was a member of Rajya Sabha. He was associated with the Indian Newspaper Society as well as the Press Trust of India. He was honoured with Sahitya Akademi and Kerala Sahitya Academy award.