NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s first
public EV Charging Plaza inaugurated in Delhi: Union Power Minister RK Singh
has inaugurated India’s first public EV (Electric Vehicle) charging plaza at
Chelmsford Club in New Delhi. EV charging plaza is a new innovative avenue for
making e-mobility ubiquitous and convenient in India. The public EV Charging
Plaza has been established by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in
collaboration with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to make e-mobility
ubiquitous and convenient in India. The plaza will host 5 Electric Vehicle
Chargers of different specifications. Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve
Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency (RAISE) was also launched.
2. Union HRD
Minister launches “Manodarpan” initiative for students: Union HRD Minister,
Ramesh Pokhriyal launches the Manodarpan initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat
Abhiyan. It will cover a wide range of activities to provide Psychosocial
Support to students for their Mental Health & Well-being during the COVID
outbreak and beyond. It will be a part of strengthening human capital and
increasing productivity. Students, teachers, and parents across the country
will join the initiative to keep a healthy and stress-free life.
3. Union Minister
Harsimrat Kaur Badal Inaugurates Zoram Mega Food Park in Mizoram: The Union
Minister of Food Processing Industries, Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated
the Zoram Mega Food Park Ltd at Kolasib in Mizoram through virtual conference
on 20 July 2020. The Food Park has been built at a cost of Rs 75 crore and is
spread over 55 Acres of land. The food park will directly benefit over 25,000
farmers and will provide employment opportunities to over 5,000 people in the
region. This is the first Mega Food Park operationalized in the State of
Mizoram. It has Cold Storage, Drywarehouse, Aseptic pulp line, packing,
Ripening Chambers, Spices drying facility, Food Testing Laboratory.
Note: Chief
Minister of Mizoram: Pu Zoramthanga; Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.
4. P Praveen
Siddharth appointed as PS to President of India: A 2001-batch, Indian Revenue
Service officer, P Praveen Siddharth has been appointed as the new personal
secretary to the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. Siddharth is already
serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the President’s Secretariat. He
will replace Vikram Singh, who has now been appointed Joint Secretary in the
Ministry of Shipping.
5. MYAS partners
with UNICEF to promote volunteerism among youth: Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports (MoYAS) has tied-up with UNICEF to strengthen the Government’s
resolution to mobilise 1 crore youth volunteers in attaining the goals of
Atmanirbhar Bharat. To promote volunteerism among the youth of India, Ministry
of Youth Affairs and Sports has signed a Statement of Intent with YuWaah (a
multi-stakeholder platform formed by the UNICEF). The tie-up will help in the
transition of youth of India from education and learning to productive work,
skilling and being active citizens.
Note: Union
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports: Kiren Rijiju.
Executive Director
of UNICEF: Henrietta H. Fore.
6. CBDT sings MoU
with MSMEs Ministry for data sharing: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India (MoMSME). As per the signed
MoU, CBDT will share certain Income-tax Return (ITR) related information with
MoMSME. The exchanged data will enable MoMSME to keep a check as well as to
classify enterprises in Micro, Small and Medium categories as per the criteria.
Nodal Officer and Alternate Nodal Officers will be appointed to facilitate the
process.
Note: Union
Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Nitin Jairam Gadkari.
Chairperson of
CBDT: Pramod Chandra Mody.
7. Delhi Cabinet
approves “Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana”: Delhi Cabinet has approved
‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana’, which will be launched in six to seven
months and will be linked to Centre’s ‘one nation, one ration card’ scheme. The
scheme will help the beneficiaries get ration delivered at home. They will not
have to come to the ration shops. The scheme is expected to benefit lakhs of
people in the national capital through 2016 PDS shops. At present subsidised
ration is provided under the National Security, 2013 Act and this new programme
would add to the benefits of the Act.
Note: Governor of
Delhi: Anil Baijal.
8. Consumer
Protection Act, 2019 Comes into Force from 20 July 2020: The Consumer
Protection Act, 2019 has come in to force with effect from 20 July 2020. The
new Consumer Protection Act 2019 replaces more than three decades old Consumer
Protection Act, 1986. It seeks to revamp the process of administration and
settlement of consumer disputes, with strict penalties, including jail term for
adulteration and misleading ads by firms. In Consumer Protection Act, 1986, a
single point access to justice was given, which was time consuming. The new act
has been introduced after many amendments to provide protection to buyers not
only from traditional sellers but also from the new e-commerce
retailers/platforms.
9. A book titled
“The Endgame” authored by Hussain Zaidi: Crime writer, S Hussain Zaidi has
penned a new novel “The Endgame” which talks of politics, betrayal, and
unimaginable terror. The book has been published by HarperCollins India. “The
Endgame” gives the readers a close-up of complex political machinery at work,
including state security, defence services, and intelligence agencies like –
all building up to an explosive climax.
10. A book titled
“Suraj Kade Marda Nahi” authored by Baldev Singh Sadaknama: Sahitya Akademi
Award winner, Baldev Singh Sadaknama has authored a book ‘Suraj Kade Marda
Nahi’ (sun never dies). The book portrays many aspects of freedom fighter Udham
Singh. The book is published by Unistarbooks. The book has been released and
will be formally launched on July 31, 2020. Udham Singh 80th death anniversary
will fall on July 31, 2020. The book portrays some facts pertaining to Colonel Reginal
Dyer, also known as the butcher of Jallianwala bagh. It also covers how Udham
Singh killed Michael O’ Dwyer, former lieutenant governor of Punjab on March
13, 1940, at Caxton Hall, London for which he was hanged on July 31, 1940.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India and Israel sign agreement to expand cooperation in cyber security: India and Israel
have signed an agreement to further expand collaboration in dealing with cyber
threats amid rapid digitisation due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that
exposed the vulnerabilities of the virtual world. The MoU signed between the
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), a unit of the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology, and INCD deepens the operational
cooperation between the two sides and will expand the scope of exchange of
information on cyber threats in order to raise the levels of protection in the
field.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. ICC Men’s T20
World Cup postponed to 2022: International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) announced,
the T20 Men’s World Cup, scheduled to be played in Australia in
October-November 2020, has formally been postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19.
Besides rescheduling the T20 World Cup to October-November, 2022 the ICC Board
also decided to push the 2023 ODI World Cup in India to October-November 2023
from its designated window in February-March, 2023.
Note: Chief
Executive Officer of ICC: Manu Sahney; Headquarters of ICC: Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Ashwini Kumar
Tewari becomes new MD & CEO of SBI Cards: SBI Cards and Payment Services
has appointed Ashwini Kumar Tewari as its new Managing Director and chief
executive officer. The new appointment will be valid for two years and his
appointment will come into effect from August 1, 2020. He was nominated by
parent State Bank of India for the position. He succeeded Hardayal Prasad. SBI
Cards offer extensive credit card portfolio to individual cardholders and
corporate clients that includes lifestyle, rewards, travel & fuel and
banking partnerships and corporate cards.
Note: Chairman of
State Bank of India: Rajnish Kumar; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 July 1955.
2. Bank of
Maharashtra offers Overdraft against Fixed Deposits through Mahamobile App: Bank
of Maharashtra (BoM), a premier public sector bank in the country, known for
customer friendly services has launched an Overdraft facility (OD) against
Fixed Deposits for its individual customers holding a SB account amidst
pandemic. Under this OD facility, up to 90% value of FD can be availed
attracting additional 2% interest rate over and above the FD rate. The OD
facility can be availed from the comfort of home in three simple steps using
Bank of Maharashtra’s Mahamobile App.
DEFENCE
1. MoD signs
contract with BEML for procurement of Mine Plough: Acquisition Wing of Ministry
of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)
for procurement of Mine Plough (MP) for Tank T-90 S/SK. The contract to procure
1,512 Mine Plough (MP) for Tank T-90 S/SK has been signed with the approval of
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. The procurement will cost approximately Rs
557 crore. These mine ploughs when fitted on T-90 Tanks will provide individual
mobility to Tanks while negotiating mine field. The contract has Buy and Make categorisation
with a minimum of 50% indigenous content. It will facilitate individual
mobility to Tanks while negotiating mine field. It is planned to be completed
by 2027.
OBITUARIES
1. US Civil Rights
pioneer John Lewis passes away: US Civil Rights pioneer and US House of
Representatives member, John Lewis (80 years) passed away. He was a member of
congress from Atlanta, US. He was first elected to congress in 1986. He was one
of the ‘Big Six’ leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington.
He led various civil rights movement to end legalized racial segregation in the
United States. Lewis received various awards and honours including Presidential
Medal of Freedom (2011). His last public appearance was in a protests for
racial justice that swept the US and the world in June.
2. MP Governor
Lalji Tandon passes away: Madhya Pradesh
Governor Lalji Tandon passed away. He was undergoing treatment since June 11
and passed away after a prolonged illness. During his treatment period, Uttar Pradesh
Governor Anandiben Patel was given the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh.
Lalji Tandon has served as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad for
two terms and was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 2009. He was
appointed Governor of Bihar in 2018, and then the Governor of Madhya Pradesh in
2019.
Note: Chief
Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
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