Daily GK Updates - 26th June, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NITI Aayog launches behaviour change campaign ‘Navigating the New Normal’: NITI Aayog has launched a behaviour change campaign titled ‘Navigating the New Normal’ and its website to guide people to follow norms during the ‘Unlock’ phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to contain the spread of the deadly virus. The campaign has been developed under the guidance of Empowered Group 6, constituted by the GoI, under the Chairmanship of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. The campaign and website have been launched in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and WCD. The campaign consists of two parts. The first is a web portal http://www.covidthenewnormal.com, containing resources related to COVID-safe behavioural norms. The second is a media campaign focused on the wearing of masks.

Note: CEO of NITI Aayog: Amitabh Kant.

2. Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Indian Oil’s PADC at Paradip, Odisha: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan has inaugurated a Product Application and Development Centre (PADC) set up by Indian Oil at Paradip, Odisha. It has been setup by Indian Oil with Rs 43 crores value and 4 labs: Polymer Processing, Analytical Testing, Chemical Analysis and Characterisation Lab It will act as incubation centre for new entrepreneur development in the field of Plastics and will also generate employment with Government's aid.

Note: Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik; Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

           

3. Union Minister Harsh Vardhan Launches mobile app ‘eBloodServices’ for easy access to blood: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the ‘eBloodServices’ mobile App, in partnership with the New Delhi based Indian Red Cross Society, on 25 June 2020 for easy access to blood, to fight with the critical coronavirus pandemic. The application has been developed under the Digital India scheme of GoI by the E-Raktkosh team of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing. The app will enable the user to view the availability of blood with the blood bank using their phone and also enable them to place order. Then the blood bank will get to know about the same through their ‘ERatkosh dashboard’, after which, they will keep the request active for 12 hours. The app has the facility of placing an order for up to four units of blood in one go.

Note: Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society: Harsh Vardhan.

4. Tripura govt launches Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme: The state government of Tripura has launched a scheme called Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar, under which it would provide nutrition kits to pregnant and lactating women in an effort to fight malnutrition and maternal mortality.  The state government is expected to incur an expenditure of Rs 8 crore every year for the initiative. Under the new scheme, each nutrition kit would cost Rs 500 and contain food items, such as peanuts, soya beans, mixed pulses, jaggery and ghee. It is expected to benefit atleast 40,000 women.

Note: Chief Minister of Tripura: Biplab Kumar Deb; Governor: Ramesh Bais; Capital: Agartala

5. IIM Ahmedabad rolls out IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund: Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad has rolled out ‘IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund’ to ensure financial health of institute with initial commitment of Rs. 100 Crore. It is aimed at raising Rs.1000 crore in 5 years. The fund is raised from 10 founding alumni of IIM-A as a part of long term goal of retaining autonomy. IIMA is the 1st management school in India to come up with this initiative.

Note: IIMA Governors Board Chairperson: Kumar Mangalam Birla; Founded: 1961

6. “Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan” launched in UP:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually launched a path-breaking scheme “Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan” in Uttar Pradesh. The scheme aims to generate employment for the migrant workers of the state who recently returned from other states. The scheme has been launched in 31 districts of Uttar Pradesh constituting more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers. It is an unique initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government to generate employment, promote local entrepreneurship and create partnership with Industrial associations and other organizations to facilitate employment opportunities to the returnee migrant workers.

Note: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Aditya Nath; Governor: Anandiben Patel.

7. J&K launches two J&K Bank Loan Scheme 2019-20: J&K has launched 2 schemes to provide financial support to business communities. (1) J&K Bank Business Support Loan Scheme: There will be 10% increase in existing working capital limit with upper limit Rs 5 cr (SMA2) and Rs 20 cr (SMA1). (2) ‘J&K Bank Business Support Loan Scheme for Hotels and Guest Houses’: It has upper limit of Rs 2 cr with 1 yr moratorium and 36 months repayment. It has no processing and foreclosure charges. Interest rate: 8.80%, 3 year MCLR.

8. Shripad Naik inaugurates “Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat”: Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat has been inaugurated by the Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik. It is a two-day digital conference on the defence & aerospace manufacturing sector, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat along with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). The conclave aims to bring together the high-level government representatives to deliberate and exchange ideas, viewpoints and knowledge regarding the critical defence offset policies, sector analyses and review choices of technology presently available globally for the manufacturing and production of indigenous defence systems.

9. Priyanka Chopra & Anurag Kashyap among 50 ambassadors for TIFF 2020: Actor Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have been among the 50 celebrated global filmmakers and actors invited as ambassadors of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2020 (45th edition). For the first time, the festival, is being organised virtually, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 45th edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from September 10 to September 19, 2020. It is expected that around 50 films will be screened in physical theaters through socially-distanced screenings, during its first five days.

Note: Toronto International Film Festival starts: 1976; Toronto International Film Festival Headquarters: Toronto, Canada.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pakistan to remain in Financial Action Task Force Grey list: Pakistan is likely to remain on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as it has failed to comply with the tasks given by the global terrorist financing watchdog to stop terror financing in the country. Islamabad is yet to complete 13 out of 27 items of its FATF Action Plan. This decision was taken at the third and final plenary meeting of FATF, under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu. Pak’s progress on its Action Plan would now be evaluated in the next plenary meeting to be held in October 2020, under the Presidency of Germany.

Note: The headquarters of FATF is in Paris, France; FATF was founded in July 1989.

2. World Vitiligo Day 2020: 25th June: The World Vitiligo Day is observed on June 25 to build global awareness about vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disorder leading to loss of color in the skin creating a variety of patterns on the skin from loss of pigment. Vitiligo is often called a disease instead of a disorder and that can have a significantly negative social or psychological impact on patients. The first World Vitiligo Day was observed on June 25, 2011.

3. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: 26th June: The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is a United Nations recognized day observed every year on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world. It was on this day on 26 June 1987 when the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into effect. 2020 Theme is Torture: a crime against humanity.

4. International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: 26th June: The United Nations recognized International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989 to fight against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. The theme of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020 is “Better Knowledge for Better Care”. The main purpose of the theme is to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and at fostering greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.

Note: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Headquarters: Vienna, Austria; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Founded: 1997.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Liverpool Wins 2019–20 Premier League title: Liverpool has won the 2019–20 Premier League title on 25 June 2020, putting an end to 30 years wait for the title. This is the nineteenth English league title for Liverpool and their first in the Premier League era, having last won in 1990. Liverpool was declared winner after Manchester City lost 1-2 to Chelsea. The 2019–20 Premier League is the 28th season of the top English professional football league, since its establishment in 1992.

2. Former England Women Cricket Captain Clare Connor Set to become first female President of Marylebone Cricket Club in 233 years: Former England’s women captain Clare Connor has been named as the first female president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in its 233-year history. Connor will replace incumbent President Kumar Sangakkara. She will take charge of her new post on 1 October 2021. Connor is currently the managing director of women’s cricket of England and Wales Cricket Board. Former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who is the first non-British MCC president, appointed in 2019 for one-year tenure, has been invited to hold the position for another 12-month period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Connor made her England debut in 1995 at the age of 19, and took over the captaincy in 2000, leading England at Lord's against Australia a year later.

Note: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Founded: 1787; Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.

3. New Zealand’s Women wicketkeeper Rachel Priest announces retirement from international cricket: Rachel Priest, New Zealand’s wicketkeeper-batswoman, has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a 13-year-old career with the White Ferns (nickname of New Zealand’s women national team). The 35-year-old played 87 ODIs and 75 T20Is for New Zealand. After her retirement, she has now signed up a contract with Cricket Tasmania to play in Australia Women’s National Cricket League and will represent Tasmanian Tigers for the 2020/21 season.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI instructs Banks, NBFCs digital platforms to disclose full information: RBI has instructed banks, NBFCs and digital lending platforms to disclose full information on their websites to customers. The move is taken to make digital lending transparent as several complaints relating to exorbitant interest rates and harsh recovery measures has been reported. Banks and NBFCs also have to issue letter after loan sanction along with agreement and enclosures immediately. They must also follow regulatory instructions on financial and IT services.

2. Govt to launch new Floating Rate Savings Bonds 2020 (Taxable) scheme: Govt will launch Floating Rate Savings Bonds 2020 (Taxable) scheme with effect from July 01, 2020. Issuing Authority: RBI only in electronic form. Eligibility: Person resident in India and person from Hindu Undivided Family. Subscription: Cash (₹20,000 only)/drafts/cheques or any electronic mode acceptable to the Receiving Office. It will not be transferable except transfer to nominee or legal heir. Interest on the bonds will be payable at half yearly interval. Rate: 7.15%

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. India Ratings projects India’s GDP to contract by 5.3% in FY21: India Ratings and Research has projected the GDP growth of India to contract by 5.3% in 2020-21 (FY21). India Ratings and Research expects the GDP of India to grow in the range of 5-6% in FY22. This will be the lowest GDP growth in Indian history and the sixth instance of economic contraction, others being in FY58, FY66, FY67, FY73 and FY80.

2. Govt extends deadline to file ITR for FY19 till July 31; PAN-Aadhaar till March 2021: The Central Government has extended the deadline for the following: (1) for filing income tax returns (ITR) for FY 2018-19 by one month to July 31, 2020; (original as well as revised income tax returns); (2) for linking biometric Aadhaar with PAN till March 31, 2021. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) through a notification also extended the time limit for making various investments for claiming deductions under the I-T Act for the 2019-20 fiscal by a month till July 31, 2020. The due date for filing ITR for FY2019-20 has already been extended till November 30, 2020.