Daily GK Update- 4th April, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UP become India’s top vegetable producer: Uttar Pradesh has become the top producer of vegetables, getting back its first position by demoting West Bengal to the second position, with a difference of a million tonnes in production in 2021–22 Crop Year (CY) (July–June), after two years since 2020.

Key points:

a)      Vegetable production in Uttar Pradesh is expected to be 29.58 million tonnes (mt) in the 2021–22 crop year (July–June), down from 29.16 mt in 2020–21, while West Bengal output is expected to dip to 28.23 mt in 2021-22 from 30.33 mt in 2020-21.

b)      Other top producers of vegetables as per the data in the current year 2021-22 include Madhya Pradesh at 20.59 mt, Bihar at 17.77 mt and Maharashtra at 16.78 mt.

Top fruit producer:

a)      Andhra Pradesh remains the top fruit producer. India’s horticulture output is likely to drop marginally by 0.4% to 333.25 mt in 2021–22 from the previous year (2020–21) as production of vegetables, spices, and plantation crops is set to decline.

b)      In 2021–22, Andhra Pradesh is expected to produce 18.01 million tonnes of fruit, up from 17.7 million tonnes in 2020–21. Maharashtra is anticipated to produce 12.3 million tonnes of fruit, up from 11.74 million tonnes in 2020–21.

 

2. India’s unemployment rate falls to 7.6% in March from 8.1% in Feb 2022: As per the data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the overall unemployment rate in India fell to 7.6 per cent in March 2022. This rate was 8.10 per cent in February 2022. The report also stated that though the overall unemployment rate in the country is falling, it is still high for a “poor” country like India. The decrease in the ratio shows that the economy is getting back on track after being hit by COVID-19 for two years.

Haryana recorded the highest unemployment rate in March 2022, at 26.7 per cent. It was followed by Rajasthan (25%) and Jammu and Kashmir (25 %), Bihar (14.4%), Tripura (14.1%) and West Bengal (5.6%). Chhattisgarh has registered an unemployment rate of 0.6 per cent this March, which is the lowest so far. CMIE is a Mumbai-based independent non-government entity that serves both as an economic think-tank as well as a business information company.

 

3. Chandrapur district of Maharashtra records third hottest place in the world: According to the El Dorado weather website, Chandrapur was the third hottest city in the world, with a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Nagpur was also the hottest city in Vidarbha, with a maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Akola.

As per the El Dorado Weather, Kayes city of Mali is the hottest place on earth with 44.4 degrees Celsius, Segou of Mali is second in the list with 43.8 degrees Celsius whereas Chandrapur is third in the list.

 

4. Dr. S Raju takes charge as DG of Geological Survey of India: Dr S Raju has taken over as the Director-General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) with effect from April 01, 2022. He succeeds R. S. Garkhal who superannuated on March 31, 2022. Prior to this, Dr Raju was holding the post of Additional Director General and National Head, Mission-III & IV at GSI HQ.

 

5. Mahesh Verma named as chairperson of NABH: Vice-Chancellor of Indraprastha University, Mahesh Verma has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI). This is responsible for setting benchmarks for quality and certifying hospitals and other health facilities. NABH is also a member of the board of the Asian Society for Quality in Healthcare (ASQua).

Note: NABH Founded: 2006, India; NABH Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s Aprajita Sharrma selected for the prestigious ITU position: An Indian official has been selected as vice-chairperson of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Council Standing Committee on Administration and Management, giving India a leadership position. Ms Aprajita Sharma, an IP&TAF Service officer, has been appointed vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Administration and Management at the International Telecommunication Union’s Council sessions in Geneva from March 21 to March 31, 2022. Aprajita will continue to serve as vice-chairperson of the Council Standing Committee in 2023 and 2024, and as chairman in 2025 and 2026.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations’ information and communication specialised organisation. The Plenipotentiary Conference and the Administrative Council manage the ITU. The Union’s top organ is the Plenipotentiary Conference. It is the decision-making body that determines the Union’s and its operations’ direction. During the time between Plenipotentiary Conferences, the Council serves as the Union’s governing body.

Note: International Telecommunication Union Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; International Telecommunication Union Founded: 17 May 1865; International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General: Houlin Zhao.

 

2. International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action: 4th April: The United Nations’ International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is celebrated every year on the 4th of April. The day aims to raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication. “Mine action” refers to a range of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war and to mark and fence off dangerous areas. In 2022 the United Nations Mine Action Service marks the Day under the theme “Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home.” The focus of the observance is on the impressive achievements of the global mine action community, starting with the work of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

History of the day: On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It was first observed on 4 April 2006.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Anurag Thakur launches logo, mascot jersey & anthem of Khelo India University Games 2021: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and Governor of Karnataka, TC Gehlot launched the logo, jersey, mascot and anthem of the Khelo India University Games 2021 (KIUG 2021) on April 01, 2022, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The theme song has been composed by Kannada rapper Chandan Shetty. The KIUG 2021 will be held in Karnataka between April 24 and May 3, 2022.

This will be the second edition of KIUG. The first edition was hosted by Odisha in 2020. KIUG 2021 was postponed for 2022 due to the Covid crisis. A Khelo India App for live updates on the Games has also been launched by Karnataka. Around 4500 athletes, representing 20 sports from across the country will participate in the KIUG 2021.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Axis Bank takes Citibank’s India consumer business in a Rs 12,325 crores: Citigroup has announced that Axis Bank will be acquiring Citibank’s India consumer business for an amount of USD 1.6 billion (Rs 12,325 crores) in an all-cash deal. This transaction will be including Citibank India’s consumer banking businesses, which include retail banking, credit cards, consumer loans, and wealth management.

After acquiring:

a)      This transaction will also be including the sale of Citibank’s non-banking financial company consumer business, Citicorp Finance (India) Limited, which comprises a financing business that is asset-backed and also includes construction equipment and commercial vehicle loans, and a portfolio of personal loans.

b)      It is an exchange of assets or a single asset for cash and no other monetary means, such as exchange of stocks or financing are used. The most common way of settling all-cash deal are wire transfers or check and the physical form of cash is generally avoided.

Note: Axis Bank Founded: 3 December 1993; Axis Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; Axis Bank MD & CEO: Amitabh Chaudhary; Axis Bank Chairperson: Shri Rakesh Makhija; Axis Bank Tagline: Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Centre extended foreign trade policy till Sept 30: The Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 has been extended by six months, until September 30, 2022. The present Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, which is effective through March 31, 2022, has been extended until September 30, 2022, according to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Following the Covid-19 outbreak, the policy was first extended for a year, until the end of March 2020, and subsequently for another year, until September 30.

Key Points:

a)      The strategy lays out recommendations for boosting exports to boost economic growth and create jobs, as well as incentives under various programmes like Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) (EPCG).

b)      Tea, steel, chemical, and pharmaceutical exporters to Russia are pleading with the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to intervene, as millions of rupees are at stake.

c)       According to industry sources, tea, steel, chemical, and pharmaceutical exporters to Russia are seeking government and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervention because millions of dollars in payments are stuck due to sanctions imposed by the West, which have isolated Russian banks from the global financial system.

d)      According to them, the interruption in Indian companies’ cash flows might cause them to delay payments to workers and suppliers, as well as skip payments to lenders.

e)      As part of the restrictions, Russian firms have been barred from using the global Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT, platform.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. IAF celebrates 60 years of Glorious Service by Chetak Helicopters: The Indian Air Force organised a conclave at Air Force Station, Hakimpet on 02 April 2022, to commemorate 60 years of glorious service by Chetak Helicopter in IAF. The conclave was inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. Raksha Mantri released a Special Cover, a Coffee Table Book and a Commemorative Movie on Chetak Helicopters during the conclave.

About the chetak helicopter: The Chetak helicopter is the oldest operational flying machine with the Indian Air Force. It has been made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the licence agreement. The Chetak Helicopter was inducted into the Indian Air force in 1962.

Celebrating the event: A remarkable fly-past by 26 aircraft including Chetaks, Pilatus, Kirans, Hawks, Advanced Light Helicopters and a Light Combat Helicopters was an eye-catcher for everyone. The finale was a diamond formation flypast by eight Chetak helicopters, the machine which continues to render yeomen service across the length and breadth of the country. This magnificent machine still operates across all the terrains and is the basic training helicopter for pilots of the three Services.