Daily GK Update- 12th Oct, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ex-CJI K.G. Balakrishnan to head Commission to inquire into demand for SC status to non-Hindu Dalits: The Union Government has appointed a three-member commission, headed by former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan, to consider the possibility of granting SC status to “new persons who have historically belonged to the Scheduled Castes’’ but have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Key Points:

a)      According to a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the commission will also include retired IAS officer Dr Ravinder Kumar Jain and UGC member Prof (Dr) Sushma Yadav as members.

b)      The commission will have to submit its report to the Ministry in two years.

c)       The Government’s move to set up a national commission to study the social, economic and educational status of members of SCs who have converted mainly to Islam and Christianity.

d)      Need of the Commission: The new commission has been set up at a time when the Supreme Court is hearing a PIL filed by the National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC), which has been fighting for SC status since 2020 — there have been numerous other cases filed in the apex court on the matter since 2004. In August, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to submit its current position on the issue.

e)      The commission will also examine the implications of any decision in this matter on existing SCs, and the changes they go through on converting to other religions in terms of customs, traditions, social and other discrimination, and deprivation.

According To the Constitution: The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, stipulates that no person professing a religion different from Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism can be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste. The original order under which only Hindus were classified was later amended to include Sikhs and Buddhists.

 

2. GoI named Delhi HC Judge Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma as Presiding Officer of UAPA Tribunal: The government of India has appointed Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court as the presiding officer of the tribunal for the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), related to the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates. Once an organisation is banned under the provisions of UAPA, a tribunal is set up by the government to adjudicate whether there are sufficient grounds for the decision. Key Points:

a)      According to procedure, the Union Home Ministry requests the Law Ministry to name a sitting judge of a High Court to be the presiding officer, and the Law Ministry, in turn, requests the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court to recommend a name. The Home Ministry will now issue a formal notification naming Justice Sharma as presiding officer.

b)      On September 28, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a notification declaring “the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect”.

c)       The National Investigation Agency as well as the Enforcement Directorate had alleged that PFI was engaged in raising and collecting funds from abroad and transferring them to India through “clandestine and illegal channels”.

 

3. Cheetah Introduction Project Monitoring: Centre set up 9-member task force: The Center has established a Task Force to oversee the introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park and other suitably specified places. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) would support the Cheetah Task Force’s operations and provide all essential assistance. Principal Secretaries of Madhya Pradesh’s Forests and Tourism, as well as Dr. Amit Mallick, Inspector General of the NTCA in New Delhi, will be among the task force’s nine members.

Key Points:

a)      The Task Force will be active for two years, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

b)      As and when they want, this task group may designate a subcommittee to visit the Cheetah introduction area on a regular basis.

c)       The Task Force for Cheetah Introduction Project Monitoring was established to assess, track, and keep an eye on the Cheetah’s health, the condition of the cage used for quarantine and soft release, the overall area’s level of protection, and compliance with the established regulations.

d)      Additionally, the Task Force for Cheetah Introduction Project Monitoring will keep an eye on the cheetahs’ adaption to the Kuno National Park ecosystem and their hunting prowess.

e)      Additionally, it will advocate for the construction of tourism-related infrastructure in the surroundings of Kuno National Park and adjacent Protected Areas.

 

4. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel inaugurates Chhattisgarh Olympic: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has inaugurated the state’s own Olympics. The aim is to provide a centerstage to the village level sports so that a feeling of pride for the culture is inculcated. Secondly, to channelise the energy of the local youths which is very important for our society. The event will continue till January 6, 2023 and as many as 14 types of traditional sports have been included in the team and individual categories of separate age groups. Key Points:

a)      The traditional sports competition of Chhattisgarh will be held in group and singles categories. A total 14 types of traditional sports have been included in the Chhattisgarh Olympics 2022-23.

b)      The games falling under the team category include gilli-danda, pitthul, sankhali, langdi-race, kabaddi, kho-Kho and kancha.

c)       Similarly, games under the Individual category include billas, fugdi, gedi race, bhaura (Indian spinning top), 100-meters race and long jump.

d)      The ‘Chhattisgarhiya Olympics’ will be organised at six levels.

e)      The first is the village level that will be of ‘Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club’. The second is the zonal level in which there will be a club comprising eight Rajiv Yuva Mitan clubs. Similarly, at the development block/urban cluster level, district level, divisional level, and lastly at the state level.

f)        Besides, there are three age group categories including the first category for participants till the age of 18 years, the second for the participants under 18-40 years of age group, and lastly for participants above 40 years of age.

Note: Chhattisgarh Capital: Raipur; Chhattisgarh Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel; Chhattisgarh Governor: Anusuiya Uikey.

 

5. IREDA celebrates “Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas”: To create cybersecurity awareness among all employees, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) observed the “Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas”. On this occasion, Shri Alok Kumar, Information Security Consultant, AKS IT Services, shared his insights with IREDA employees on the practice of cyber hygiene. Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs that requires all government organizations to spread cybersecurity awareness. It is observed on first Wednesday of every month. The purpose is to create awareness and sensitize the Internet users on safeguarding against cyber frauds and cybercrimes.

All the concerned organizations are requested to observe Cyber Jagrookta Diwas by generating cybersecurity awareness through seminars, workshops, quiz competitions, interactive sessions, case studies, creative sessions, and best practices.

 

6. 56 mn Indians may have turned poor in 2020 due to pandemic: World Bank: According to new estimates by the World Bank, the pandemic has caused 56 million Indians to experience extreme poverty in 2020, bringing the global total to 71 million and making it the worst year for poverty reduction since World War II. Key Points:

a)      The World Bank updated its estimates of poverty in its most recent report, “Poverty and Shared Prosperity,” using a new extreme poverty limit based on the purchasing power parity (PPP) of $2.15 rather than the previous one, which was set at $1.9.

b)      According to estimates by economists, between 275 million and 300 million people experienced extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic. Even the multidimensional poverty index created by the NITI Aayog classifies 25% of the population as poor.

c)       The Ukraine conflict, as well as increasing food and energy costs, have made things worse. By the end of this year, 685 million people may be living in extreme poverty, which is almost 90 million more than what would have happened if poverty reduction had continued at the pre-COVID rate.

d)      The World Bank suggested fiscal policy measures to repair the damage, saying that programmes like targeted cash transfers were considerably more likely to reach poor and vulnerable groups.

e)      More than 60% of cash transfer spending goes to the lower 40% of the population. There is growing evidence that they have long-term benefits, such as helping families to make critical investments in their children’s education.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Pakistan to Take Part in The SCO Anti-Terror Exercise Hosted by India: Pakistan has confirmed that it will attend the Shanghai cooperation organisation’s anti-terror exercises in India. Pakistan, which is a part of SCO will take part in counter-terror drills in Haryana’s Manesar in October. These exercises will be conducted under the ambit of the SCO regional anti-terrorism structure (RATS). A three-member Pakistani delegation will take part in the meeting in Delhi.

India will be hosting the SCO RATS council meeting on October 14th this year in Delhi. New Delhi has also proposed holding a SCO joint anti-terrorist exercise (JATE) in Manesar this year, something that has been supported by all member countries. The last such anti-terror exercises took place in Pakistan’s Pabbi. On March 25th this year, the 37th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS) took place in Tashkent under the chairmanship of India.

About RATS: SCO-RATS is a permanent body of the SCO and is intended to facilitate coordination and interaction between the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism. The main functions of SCO-RATS are coordination and information sharing.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established as a multilateral association to ensure security and maintain stability across the vast Eurasian region. It envisages joining forces to counteract emerging challenges and threats, and enhance trade, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation. It was created in 2001. Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five. Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO. The SCO Charter was signed in 2002 and entered into force in 2003. The SCO’s official languages are Russian and Chinese.

 

2. World Arthritis Day: 12th October: World Arthritis Day is observed on 12 October every year and it is a global health awareness event that helps create awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. This day aims to bring people around the world on a single platform so that their voices are heard, and more support is provided for better treatment options for the people affected with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). The theme for World Arthritis Day 2022 is “It’s in your hands, take action”. The theme aims to encourage people with arthritis, their caregivers, families, and the general public so that they don’t feel that they are alone in this situation.

World Arthritis Day History: World arthritis day (WAD) was established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI). The first event for World Arthritis Day was organized on 12 October 1996. Since then, various local, and global communities like Arthritis Foundation have come together to raise awareness and fight the awareness gap in order to provide support and access to the communities.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Formula-1 Racing: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was declared Formula One world champion after winning a dramatic rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix. This was the 25-year-old Dutchmans second championship in a row, which he won with four races to go. Red Bull’s Verstappen crossed the line first and he was then awarded the title when second-place finisher Charles Leclerc was given a five-second penalty, dropping him to third.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to start a pilot programme for Digital Rupee: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that it will shortly start restricted test launches of the digital rupee for particular use cases. The concept paper was made public as part of an experiment with digital money in India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently developing a phased deployment plan while investigating the advantages and disadvantages of a central bank digital currency. Key Points:

a)      Additionally, the central bank stated that the Concept Note on Central Bank Digital Currency was published to raise awareness about Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in general and the proposed features of the Digital Rupee.

b)      According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s concept paper on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), application cases for an electronic rupee are being looked at in a way that causes little to no interruption to the financial system. The Central Government said in February that a digital rupee will be introduced during the current fiscal year.

c)       The concept note also covers important issues such technology and design options, potential applications for the digital rupee, and issuance procedures.

d)      The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concept note also analyses privacy problems and looks at how the adoption of CBDC may affect the banking sector, monetary policy, and financial stability.

e)      The central bank stated that both retail and wholesale digital currency have appeal, suggesting that it may take both into consideration.

f)        The goal of the digital rupee is to mimic the characteristics of money. But unlike bank deposits, it wouldn’t pay interest.

Note: Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Shaktikanta Das; Headquarters of Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Mumbai

 

2. Prashant Kumar appointed as MD & CEO of Yes Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Prashant Kumar as the MD and CEO of YES Bank for another three years. The appointment will be subject to the approval of shareholders of the private sector lender. He was appointed as the CEO of the bank after YES Bank was bailed out by a consortium of lenders in March 2020.

Note: Yes Bank Founded: 2004; Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Tagline: Experience our Expertise

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. World Bank slashes India’s economic growth forecast to 6.5% for FY23: The World Bank cut its 2022-23 (FY23) real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for India to 6.5%, from an earlier estimate of 7.5%, while warning that spillovers from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and global monetary tightening will weigh on the economic outlook.

In its twice-a-year report on South Asia, the World Bank said, “Private investment growth is likely to be dampened by heightened uncertainty and higher financing costs.” The international financial institution also noted that slowing global demand will impact the country’s exports. This is the third time the World Bank has revised its GDP growth forecast for India in FY23. In June, it had slashed its FY23 GDP growth forecast for India to 7.5%. Earlier in April, it had trimmed the forecast from 8.7% to 8%.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India-New Zealand Navies sign pact on White Shipping Information Exchange: The Royal New Zealand navy and the Indian navy have signed a contract on the exchange of White Shipping Information Exchange. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar and New Zealand Navy Chief Rear Admiral David Proctor signed the contract. In order to encourage more openness in the Maritime Domain, the agreement was signed. Key Points:

a)      The convergence viewpoints of both nations to encourage more openness in the maritime domain support closer collaboration for improving common maritime domain awareness.

b)      The communication of previous knowledge regarding the location and identification of commercial, non-military merchant boats is known as the White Shipping Information.

c)       White, black, and grey ships are classed as commercial, illegal, and military boats, respectively.

d)      The White Shipping Agreement is a protocol for an information network that enables the navies of two nations to exchange data about ships in respective nautical domains.

About White Shipping Information: White shipping information refers to the sharing of earlier knowledge on the location and identity of commercial, non-military merchant vessels. White, black, and grey ship categories denote commercial, illicit, and military ship types, respectively. The White Shipping Information Exchange Agreement is an information network protocol that enables two nations’ navy to communicate information on ships that are inside their nautical borders.