NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Nitin Gadkari inaugurates refurbished upstream carriageway of Mahatma Gandhi
bridge over river Ganga in Bihar: The Union Minister for Road Transport,
Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari virtually inaugurated the two completed
lanes of the 4-lane Mahatma Gandhi bridge in Bihar on 31 July 2020, which is
being renovated. Mahatma Gandhi bridge is a 5,750 metres long four lane bridge,
lying at NH-19 between Patna and Hajipur. It is the third-longest river bridge
in India. This is the first ever bridge in India which is being renovated using
modern technology for improving the existing structure. The existing concrete
superstructure of old bridge is being replaced by new steel deck
superstructure. Work on this 4-lane bridge began in June 2017. The bridge is
being renovated in two parts: Phase I- Upstream lane, Phase II- Downstream
lane. Upstream lane has been completed in July 2020. Now downstream lane shall
be taken up and is expected to be completed by 2021. Overall cost of renovating
the bridge is Rs 1742 crore.
2.
Andhra Pradesh Governor gives nod to two Bills to have three capitals for AP: Andhra Pradesh is
going to become the first state in India, to have three capitals. Two Bills: On
31st July 2020, Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan approved the
‘The AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions Bill-2020’
and ‘APCRDA (Repeal) Bill -2020’, to make them law. The AP Decentralisation and
Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 seeks to create the three
capital cities for the state. The AP Capital Region Development Authority
(Repeal) Bill, 2020, seeks to abolish the APCRDA formed in December 2014 to
develop Amaravati as the state capital. Three Capitals: Now as per the new law,
Andhra Pradesh will have the Legislative Capital in Amaravati, Executive
Capital in Visakhapatnam and, Judicial capital in Kurnool. The offices of the
Chief Minister and Governor will be Visakhapatnam; The state assembly
proceedings will take place in Amaravati; The high court will be located in
Kurnool.
3.
Madhya Pradesh launches ‘Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi’ public awareness campaign: The Madhya Pradesh
Government has organised a public awareness campaign called ‘Ek Mask-Anek
Zindagi’ (One Mask-Many Lives) to be conducted from August 1 till August 15.
Under the campaign, people will be informed about measures to prevent COVID-19
infection. The Municipal Corporation will also run a public awareness chariot
in the city on the same theme. The Mask Bank will also be established under the
Ek Mask-Anek Zindgi Campaign, in which masks will be collected from donors and
distributed free of cost to the poor people. Citizens can also donate masks
through NGOs in every district/urban body. The Donations can be in the form of
masks or funds which will be used to stitch masks through self-help groups. The
awareness will be spread through announcements, posters and pamphlets.
Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh:
Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
4.
Piyush Goyal Inaugurates National Digital Conference on “Easing Doing Business
for Atmanirbhar Bharat”: The National Digital Conference on ‘Easing Doing
Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat’ was organised by Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Investment
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 30 July 2020. The event was inaugurated by the
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, who was the Chief
Guest at the event and delivered the inaugural address. The Conference
deliberated on a range of issues like: Major regulatory reforms undertaken by
the government across various indicators of doing business; Assess their
on-ground implementation; Disseminate best practices from various states;
Crucial policy issues requiring redressal and, Identify a sustainable action
plan for improving the business environment across sectors and states.
5.
Health ministry releases new set of health warnings for tobacco packs: The Union ministry
of health and family welfare on Wednesday notified new sets of specified health
warnings for all tobacco product packs that will be applicable from September
1, 2019. The ministry in April, 2018, had made amendments to the Cigarettes and
other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008, that was called
“Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Second
Amendment Rules, 2018”. The two images were to be printed on the pack in a said
format of all tobacco products manufactured or imported, and the image would be
rotated by a new set of images after the completion of twelve months from the
date of commencement of first image. Telephone Quit-line number--
1800-11-2356-- is also the part of the health warning. The toll free Tobacco
Quit-line Service provides counseling and strategies for quitting tobacco use.
6.
NGT seeks explanation on drilling for oil in Assam national park: The National Green
Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Environment Ministry, Oil India Limited (OIL) and
two other entities to explain how the proposed drilling of seven oil wells in
an eastern Assam national park was permitted. The other two respondents are the
Assam State Pollution Control Board and the Assam State Biodiversity Board. The
NGT directive was based on a petition by Assam-based conservationists Bimal
Gogoi and Mridu Paban Phukan against the environment clearance to OIL on May 11
for drilling in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in violation of a Supreme
Court order of September 2017. The NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench comprising Justice
S.P. Wangdi and expert member Nagin Nada also took note of the petitioners’
contention that OIL did not carry out a biodiversity assessment study for the
seven-well exploratory drilling project besides not conducting a public hearing
as mandated by the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006.
7.
Northern Railway runs first-ever Vyapar Mala Express train: Northern Railway
today ran first-ever Vyapar Mala Express train. The train destined for Jirania
in Tripura has 46 wagons. Wheat was loaded in 34 wagons at Guniana station of
Firozpur Division by Food Corporation of India and in the remaining Rice and
Pulses have been loaded. This is an express service where piece-meal stock will
reach its destination in a shorter time. The train departed from Delhi
Kishanganj for Jirania and it will cover a distance of two thousand 673
Kilometres from Punjab to Tripura. The movement of the train will be constantly
monitored with no delays enroute to ensure its timely arrival at Jirania.
Railways have earned more than 94 lakh rupees from this Vyapar Mala Express
train. It will help small traders in moving their cargo through Railways, in a
short time, cost effective, convenient and environment-friendly mode of
transportation.
8.
Ashish Bhatia appointed as new Gujarat DGP: Ahmedabad police commissioner Ashish
Bhatia has been appointed new Director General of Gujarat Police. He succeeds
Shivanand Jha who retired 31st July, 2020. Bhatia who is 1985 batch IPS officer
took over charge from 1st Aug, 2020. Mr Bhatia has served at different crucial
posts in Gujarat police. He had been the DGP of CID Crime and Railways. Bhatia
who has been called as an anti terror expert is credited with solving the 2008
serial bomb blast case in Ahmedabad.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
UAE becomes first Arab country to produce nuclear energy: The United Arab
Emirates (UAE) has made a remarkable achievement by becoming the first country
in the Arab World to produce nuclear energy, when the Unit 1 of the Barakah
Nuclear Plant in Abu Dhabi, got operational on 31 July 2020. The plant is
powered by South Korean technology and is situated in the Al Dhafrah region of
Abu Dhabi. It will produce 5.6 gigawatts of electricity and meet up to 25% of
the UAE’s electricity needs. The new plant is part of the UAE’s effort to
become less reliant on oil and gas, which is the current source of the vast
majority of its energy, and move towards sustainable energy sources
Note: President of UAE: Sheikh Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan; Capital of UAE: Abu Dhabi; Currency: United Arab Emirates
dirham.
2.
SABIC chemical plant to become world’s first-of-its-kind to operate on 100 per
cent renewable power: SABIC’s polycarbonate facility in Spain is set to
become the world’s first large scale chemical production plant which will run
entirely on renewable power after a major agreement was signed with Iberdrola,
an electricity utility company. The plant is expected to be completely
operational by 2024 and is expected to help SABIC reach it’s 2025 clean energy
target.
3.
Iran launches underground ballistic missiles during exercise: Iran’s paramilitary
Revolutionary Guard launched underground ballistic missiles as part of an
exercise “Great Prophet 14” involving a fake aircraft carrier in the Strait of
Hormuz, the latest barrage in a drill that saw two American bases temporarily
go on alert over the launches.
OTHER UPDATES:
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Kotak Mahindra Bank launches ‘Kona Kona Umeed’ Campaign: The private sector
lender, Kotak Mahindra Bank, has announced the launch of a two-month long
campaign called ‘Kona Kona Umeed’ with huge offers and discounts to lift up
hope and optimism among its customers in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Under this Kona Kona Umeed campaign, the bank will provide a range of offers
and deals on its products including loans, savings accounts, current accounts,
corporate salary accounts as well as Kotak debit cards, credit cards and
digital payments. Kotak has tied up with over 100 brands to provide exclusive
deals to its customers in categories such as shopping, essentials, personal
care, education, fitness, health & wellness, kids & parenting,
entertainment, cyber care & security, among others.
Note: Kotak Mahindra Bank Establishment:
2003; Kotak Mahindra Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Kotak Mahindra
Bank Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: Uday Kotak.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Apple dethrones Saudi Aramco to become world’s most valuable company: Technology giant
Apple Inc. has become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company in the
world on 31st July 2020, surpassing the state oil giant Saudi Aramco. The
shares of Apple closed up 10.47% on 31 July, giving it a market valuation of
$1.84 trillion. Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco, which had been the most valuable
publicly listed company since its market debut in 2019, now trails at $1.76
trillion as of its last close.
2.
Govt notifies changes in FDI norms allowing NRIs to acquire up to 100% in Air
India: The
finance ministry has notified changes in foreign direct investment (FDI) rules
which permit non-resident Indians (NRIs) to acquire upto 100% in Air
India. The amendment in FDI policy will
permit foreign investment in Air India Ltd at par with other Scheduled Airline
Operators. Foreign investments in m/s Air India Limited, including that of
foreign airlines shall not exceed 49% either directly or indirectly except in
case of those NRIs, who are Indian nationals, where foreign investments is
permitted up to 100% under automatic route, according to the notification on
the third amendment to FEMA (non-debt instruments) Rules, 2020.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Indian-origin author Avni Doshis Burnt Sugar in 2020 Booker Prize longlist: Indian-origin
author Avni Doshi’s debut novel Burnt Sugar – released in India as Girl in
White Cotton – has been longlisted for the 2020 Booker prize. The book is about
a young woman, Antara, coming to terms with her mother Tara’s memory loss, and
trying to make sense of their shared past.
OBITUARIES
1. UP Cabinet Minister Kamal Rani Varun passes away: Kamal Rani Varun, the Indian politician and Cabinet Minister in the Government of Uttar Pradesh has passed away due to COVID-19. She was 62. Kamal Rani was the minister of technical education in the state government. Kamal Rani Varun had also served as an MP twice. Once in the Eleventh Lok Sabha and then Twelfth Lok Sabha. She was the only woman Cabinet Minister in UP’s govt since 2019 after the resignation of Rita Bahuguna Joshi. She was Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly member from Ghatampur constituency in Kanpur Nagar.
No comments:
Post a Comment