Daily GK Updates – 9th Nov, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Chhattisgarh CM launches scheme for distribution of fortified rice: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched a scheme for distribution of fortified rice through Public distribution System (PDS) and other welfare initiatives for the people of Kondagaon district of the state on a pilot basis. The fortified rice is a mixture of iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid enriched fortified rice kernel (FRK), which meet the nutritional requirements in the diet and thereby help in controlling malnutrition and anemia. It will be distributed through fair price shops. CM also dedicated five newly-built tourist resorts as part of the Tribal Tourism Circuit in different districts.

 

2. Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurates state’s 1st Rythu Vedika: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said he was as happy as conquering a kingdom in inaugurating the State’s first Rythu Vedika in Jangaon agriculture cluster. The farmers’ centre was built at a cost of ₹22 lakh. Each of the clusters would be managed by an agriculture extension officer, and the centres would soon be equipped with audio-visual system and manned with required staff. The state government intends to set up 2,601 Rythu Vedika platforms across Telangana and has set aside a budget of Rs 572.22 crore for the same

 

3. Harpreet A De Singh appointed CEO of Alliance Air; becomes first woman to head an Indian air carrier: Harpreet A De Singh, the first woman pilot of Air India, has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alliance Air, a subsidiary of the national carrier. She has become the first woman ever to head an Indian carrier. The Captain Nivedita Bhasin, a senior commander flying Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will be new ED (flight safety) and replace Harpreet. Harpreet was appointed as the first woman commercial pilot of Indian Airlines in 1988. She, however, had to give up her flying job due to health issues.

 

4. Railways to implement artificial intelligence, data analytics for better operational efficiency: The railways is set to go big with artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve its operational efficiency and has tied up with the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad to analyse the data generated by the national transporter. The railways will set up a Centre for Excellence in this regard in the next three months. The Railway Board has taken a decision to appoint a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in every zonal railways whose mandate will be to keep track of emerging technologies in analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) and use it in the rail system.

 

5. Assam Education Dept launches toll free tele-education helpline number for govt school students: In Assam, the Education department has launched a toll free tele education helpline number for government school students. The helpline number is to guide 6th to 10th standard students on subject matters and psycho-social aspects. The tollfree no is – 18003453578 would work on all 6 days in week except Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.

 

6. National Legal Services Day: 9th November: In India, 09 November is celebrated as “National Legal Services Day” every year by all Legal Services Authorities, to commemorate the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987. The Day is celebrated to make people aware of the various provisions under the Legal Services Authorities Act and the right of the litigants. The aim of celebrating this day is to offer free of charge, proficient and legal services to the people belonging to weaker sections of society. It also seeks to make sure the availability of free services to weaker section people as well as making them conscious about their rights.

On 11 October 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 was enacted, while the act took effect on 9 November 1995. The day was started by the Supreme Court of India in 1995 to provide help and support to poor and weaker sections of the society. It was established with a mandate to offer help and support to a weaker and poor group of sections of people which may be women, disabled persons, Scheduled Tribes (STs), children, Scheduled Castes (SCs), human trafficking victims as well as natural calamities victims.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hands over another NPR 1 billion tranche for Nepal Housing Project: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra handed over a cheque of NPR 1 billion to the Nepal government as reimbursement of Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project. India had announced the reconstruction drive in Nuwakot and Gorkha District of Himalayan Nation after it was severely hit by 2015 earthquake. India has pledged to construct a total of 50,000 houses in two districts where the UNDP and UNOPS are providing the technical and other consultation supports.

 

2. Shaktikanta Das Chairs 40th SAARC Central Bank Governors Meet: The 40th Meeting of the SAARCFINANCE Governors’ Group was held virtually, under the Chairmanship of Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, RBI. The meeting was attended by the Governors from SAARC central banks. During the meeting, Mr Das also inaugurated the SAARCFINANCE Sync, a closed user group secure communication network.

About SAARCFINANCE Sync: In his opening remarks, Governor Shri Das highlighted the close partnership and co-operation among the member countries in jointly fighting the pandemic. The group took stock of the macroeconomic situation in the SAARC region; discussed the current SAARCFINANCE initiatives; and the way ahead. The Governors reaffirmed their commitment to continued co-operation and sharing of central bank experiences. SAARCFINANCE is a network of central bank governors and finance secretaries of the SAARC region. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the current chair of SAARCFINANCE.

The meeting was attended by the Governors from SAARC central banks: Mr Fazle Kabir, Bangladesh Bank; Mr Dasho Penjore, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan; Shri Shaktikanta Das (Chairperson), Reserve Bank of India; Mr Ali Hashim, Maldives Monetary Authority; Mr Maha Prasad Adhikari, Nepal Rastra Bank; Dr Reza Baqir, State Bank of Pakistan; Prof. W. D. Lakshman, Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Governor, Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) was represented by a senior official of DAB.

Note: SAARCFINANCE Established: September 9, 1998; SAARCFINANCE Current Chair: RBI (Reserve Bank of India)

 

3. India-Italy Virtual Bilateral Summit 2020: The Bilateral Summit between India and Italy was held virtually on 6th November 2020. The Summit was attended by the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Prof. Giuseppe Conte. The two leaders reviewed the broad framework of the bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. A wide range of issues was discussed including political, economic, scientific & technological, space and defence cooperation. 15 MoUs/Agreements were signed during the Summit in various sectors such as energy, fisheries, shipbuilding, design etc.

Note: President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella; Prime Minister of Italy: Giuseppe Conte; Capital of Italy: Rome; Currency of Italy: Euro.

 

4. Dharmendra Pradhan co-chairs 4th Meeting of the OPEC-India Dialogue: The 4th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Dialogue was hosted by the OPEC Secretariat. The Meeting was co-chaired by HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary-General of OPEC and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Steel.

About OPEC-India Dialogue: Key matters discussed at the meeting included rapidly changing global energy landscape, overcoming energy challenges, global oil price mechanisms, measures being taken by OPEC and its partners for balancing oil markets, and on ensuring oil supply security for India. This was the first time that the meeting of this Institutional Dialogue was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The virtual meeting was joined by OPEC Member countries, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India and CMD & MDs of India’s oil and gas industry from both the public and the private sector. The first such dialogue was held in 2015. It was informed that the next High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Dialogue will be held in 2021, and if possible in person, in New Delhi.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. MoU signed between SAI and Arunachal Pradesh government: In order to develop the sports infrastructure at the National Centre of Excellence in Itanagar, an MoU was signed between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Arunachal Pradesh government. According to the MoU, SAI would develop ‘state-of-the-art’ sports facilities including sports infrastructure, training centres and multi-purpose hall.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Govt provides Rs 670-cr support to Regional Rural Banks to meet regulatory capital: In a bid to strengthen capital base, the union government has provided Rs 670 crore to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) considering their importance in agriculture finance during these difficult times. This round of infusion would take care of capital needs till March 31, 2021. Of the 43 RRBs, about one-third especially from north-eastern and eastern regions are in losses and they needed fund to meet regulatory capital requirement of 9 per cent. As per the current scheme for recapitalisation of RRBs, the capital support is provided to these banks by the Centre, concerned state governments and the sponsor banks in the ratio of 50:15:35, respectively to enable them to meet the regulatory requirement of capital to risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of 9 per cent.

 

2. Govt set to divest 10% in GIC, New India: Government is set to offer 10% shares in the country’s largest non-life insurance company New India Assurance through an offer for sale to the public. The Centre may also do a similar dilution in the General Insurance Corporation (GIC Re). The government had divested close to 15% stakes in both New India and GIC in 2017. The disinvestment of GIC Re resulted in a mop-up of Rs 11,370 crore and New India’s IPO raised Rs 9,600 crore.

 

3. NPCI launches ‘RuPay Festive Carnival’: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) unveiled discounts up to 65 per cent on purchase of various branded items using RuPay card. The ‘RuPay Festive Carnival’ will provide compelling benefits and attractive discounts to RuPay users, aimed at encouraging safe, contactless and cashless payments. RuPay cardholders can revel in celebrations by availing attractive offers from not only categories such as health, fitness, education, e-commerce – which are most relevant and significant amid current scenarios – but also from dining and food delivery, shopping, entertainment, wellness, pharmacy and others.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. TRIFED signs MoU with JD Centre of Arts to preserve craft traditions through collaborations: TRIFED and JD Centre of Arts have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborating on joint socio-cultural research work and anthropological study of tribal art and tradition in tribal dominated regions of India. The collaboration is an attempt to preserve the arts and crafts and traditions of the tribal communities which are slowly becoming a thing of the past. As a part of this association, it has been agreed to work together and identify areas of cooperation for research, documentation, archiving and collection of tribal art and craft, with specific reference to Tribal lifestyle and livelihood.

 

2. TransUnion CIBIL, MoSPI launch MSME Credit Health Index: In order to provide a measure of the growth and strength of the MSME sector in India, TransUnion CIBIL in partnership with Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has launched MSME Credit Health Index. The MSME Credit Health Index will provide government, policy makers, lenders and MSME market participants, a numeric indicator for benchmarking the health of the MSME sector. This measurement model will facilitate better MSME credit risk management, formulation of strategies and policies to support the revival and resurgence of the MSME sector and the economy.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. CDAC Senior Director Dr Dinesh Katre wins Emmett Leahy Award: Dr Dinesh Katre, Senior Director and Head of Human-Centred Design & Computing Group at the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) has won the prestigious 2020 Emmett Leahy Award. The Emmett Leahy Award, which was constituted in 1967 in the USA, honours a pioneer in the field of information and records management and recognizes the outstanding contributions that have a major impact on this profession. As the recipient of this award, Dr Katre is now invited to join the Emmett Leahy Award Committee for the next ten years.