Daily GK Update- 5th Jan, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jal Ministry organises first All India Annual State Ministers Conference: The Jal Shakti Ministry has organised the first All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on January 5, 2023. Theme: Water Vision @ 2047 Aim: To bring together key policymakers to discuss ways to harness water resources for sustainable development and human progress. The Conference has also deliberated on ‘5P’ mantra (Political will, Public financing, Partnerships, Public Participation and Persuasion for sustainability)

 

2. MP govt launched Chief Minister's Residential Land Rights Scheme: MP CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the Chief Minister's Residential Land Rights scheme (Mukhyamantri Awasiya Bhu Adhikar Yojana) at the Bagaj Mata temple complex in Tikamgarh district. Under the scheme, plots worth about 129 crore rupees were distributed to 10 thousand 918 families of Tikamgarh district. Aim: To provide free plots to the poor living in rural areas for building their houses. The benefits of all other schemes will also be provided.

 

3. Govt approved investment for 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project: The Government has approved the investment for the 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh with an estimated cost of over 2,614 crore rupees (Rs 2,246.40 crore (Hard cost amounting), Rs 358.96 crore (Interest During Construction) and 9.15 crore (Financing Charges).

The project will be built on the Sutlej river. It will be constructed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited in over 5 years. The project will generate employment for about 4,000 persons.

 

4. Union Government approves National Green Hydrogen Mission: The government has approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an initial outlay of 19,744 crore rupees. Aim: To make India a Global Hub for production, utilisation and export of Green Hydrogen. Of the Rs 19,744 crore outlay, 17,490 crore for Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT) programme. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) will also formulate the scheme guidelines for implementation of the respective components.

 

5. Digantara launched second satellite to monitor space weather: Digantara (Space start-up) has launched its second satellite Pushan-Alpha as rideshare onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-6 mission from Cape Canaveral in Florida, US. The satellite will serve as a space weather testbed in the sun synchronous orbit. It will also enhance precision driven situational space awareness applications. Its observations will help complement Digantara’s ROBI (ROBust Integrating proton fluence meter) mission. Digantara Aerospace CEO: Anirudh Sharma President Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Rajasthan: President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is hosting Jamboree after 66 years.

6. Theme of the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree: Progress with Peace. Over 35,000 scouts and guides from all over the country will participate in this 7-day mega-event. A smart jamboree village has been set up with all the facilities on a two hundred twenty hectare area at Nimblee village 3500 tents have been erected at the venue. The first National Scout and Guide Jamboree was held in Andhra Pradesh in 1951. The 17th Jamboree was held in Mysuru, Karnataka in December 2016 -January 2017.

 

7. 2nd Phase of Sari Festival “VIRAASAT” begins in New Delhi: The second phase of the Sari Festival “VIRAASAT” is celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India in New Delhi. This phase is being organized by the Ministry of Textiles from 3rd to 17th January 2023 at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. The second phase, having 90 participants from different parts of the country, will bring participation of famous handcrafted varieties of Saris like Tie and Dye, Chikan embroidered Saris, Hand Block Saris, Kalamkari printed Saris, Ajrakh, Kantha and Phulkari. The first phase of “VIRAASAT”- started on the 16th and concluded on 30th of last month. A social media campaign has also been launched under a common hashtag #MySariMyPride to support the Indian handloom weavers.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Complaints received under ombudsman schemes rises 9.39% in 2021-22: RBI: According to the annual report of Ombudsman Schemes, 2021-22, released by the RBI, the complaints received under ombudsman schemes has been increased by 9.39% in 2021-22. The volume of complaints received under the RB-IOS and consumer education and protection cells stood at 4,18,184 in 2021-22. About 42% complaints were related to the digital modes of payment and transactions. Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) was launched on November 12, 2021. RBI lifts restrictions on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services: RBI has lifted restrictions on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited on loan recovery via third-party services. On September 22, 2022, RBI had directed Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services to immediately cease carrying out any recovery or repossession activity through outsourcing arrangements, till further orders. Mahindra Finance could continue recovery or repossession activities through its own employees.

 

2. ICICI Bank launches digital solutions for exporters: ICICI Bank has launched 'digital solutions for exporters', a comprehensive set of banking and value-added services on a single platform. Aim: To simplify the journey of exporters by decongesting the current time-intensive manual procedures It will digitise the entire export life-cycle from discovery of export markets, foreign exchange services to receipt of export incentives. Key services: Insta EPC, Trade accounts, Paperless exports solutions, and many more

 

3. Aegon Life Insurance launches iTerm Prime Insurance plan: Aegon Life Insurance has launched iTerm Prime Insurance plan catering to the need of self-employed individuals with a special 10% discount on first-year premium. It offers a minimum sum assured of ₹25 lakhs, with no upper limit on a consumer’s requirement. It also offers a ‘Special Exit Value’ option that allows the policyholder to get all premiums back when they turn 55 years old. It is designed to encourage emerging India to gain access to life insurance.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Dr. Tapan Saikia to receive Assam highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav’: Assam CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma has selected 21 personalities for the Assam State Civilian Awards 2022. The State’s highest civilian award, ‘Assam Baibhav’ to Dr. Tapan Saikia for his contributions in the field of cancer care. Assam Saurav (Assam second highest civilian award) will be conferred to Krishna Roy; Gilbertson Sangma; Nayanmoni Saikia; Dr. Binoi Kumar Saikia and Dr. Shashidhar Phukan. som Gaurav (third highest civilian award) will be conferred to 15 people.

 

2. Odisha won World Habitat Award 2023: Odisha has won the UN-Habitat’s World Habitat Awards 2023 for Jaga Mission, a 5T initiative of the state. The Jaga mission is the land titling and slum upgrading program that aims at empowering the lives of slum dwellers. The Government of Odisha has set itself the ambitious target of becoming the first slum-free state in India and is leading the Jaga Mission programme to upgrade all of the state’s 2,919 slums. The initiative in the last five years, 1,75,000 families have been granted land tenure security. 100 percent of households in 2,724 slums have been provided with pipe water connections, 707 slums have transformed fully into liveable habitats, 100 percent of households in 666 slums have individual toilets, and 8 cities have become slum-free. In 2019, Odisha’s Jaga mission received World Habitat Awards for its success in providing land tenure security to slum dwellers.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. NASA's Apollo 7 astronaut, Walter Cunningham passes away: The last surviving astronaut from the first successful crewed space mission in NASA's Apollo programme, Walter Cunningham has been passed away at the age of 90. He was one of the three astronauts of Apollo 7 mission, that was launched in 1968 and lasted for 11 days. Before joining NASA, he was enlisted in the US Navy and began training as a pilot in 1952. He was served as a fighter pilot with the US Marine Corps on 54 missions in Korea.