Daily Current Affairs
1) 43 proposals received for six Light House Projects Challenge (LHPs)
A total of 43 proposals from 19 agencies have been received for LHP under GHTC-India at six locations (LHP of Indore received 06 Proposals, Rajkot received 06 Proposals, Chennai received 11 proposals, Ranchi received 06 Proposals, Tripura received 05 Proposals and Lucknow received 09 Proposals)
What is the LHP challenge?
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has instituted a challenge for States/ UTs to select six sites across the country for constructing the Lighthouse projects under GHTC-India. MoHUA encourages all States/ UTs to participate in this challenge proactively. The winning six States/ UTs that score the highest marks across the prescribed criteria will be awarded lighthouse projects. The States/ UTs will receive Central Assistance to construct these projects as per PMAY (U) (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)) guidelines, a Technology Innovation Grant (TIG) for the States/ UTs is provisioned to offset the impact of any additional cost implication due to the use of new technology and to absorb the issues related to economies of scale and other related factors. The selected sites for lighthouse projects will be used as an ‘open laboratory’ for a live demonstration and will receive due attention from academia (Civil Engineering, Planning, Architecture), practitioners (Public/ Private), policymakers (Central/ State) and media apart from felicitation/ recognition in Grand Expo-cum-Conference.
About Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC- India)
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has already launched a “Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC- India)”. The challenge has three components viz. i) Conduct of Grand Expo-cum-Conference, ii) Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies from across the globe and iii) Promoting Potential Technologies through the establishment of Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators- India (ASHA-I) for incubation and accelerator support. Out of the three, the second component intends to identify and pilot ‘Proven Demonstrable Technologies’ from around the world in actual housing projects in different parts of the country. The shortlisted global technology providers will be invited to plan and construct lighthouse projects within the framework of PMAY (U) (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)) on pre-selected sites provided by States/UTs across six identified PMAY.
2) Prime Minister to visit Vladivostok, Russia for Eastern Economic Forum
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be visiting Vladivostok, Russia on 4-5 September 2019.
This visit is to the Far East Region of Russia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister.
The objective of the visit.
The objective of the visit is two-fold. PM will participate as the Chief Guest at the 5th Eastern Economic Forum at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin and to hold the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit with him. The Forum focuses on the development of business and investment opportunities in the Russian Far East Region and presents enormous potential for developing close and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in this region.
India and Russia Strategic Partnership.
Both countries cooperate extensively in the strategic fields of defense, civil nuclear energy and peaceful uses of space.
PM will also look forward to meeting other global leaders attending the Eastern Economic Forum, and interacting with Indian Industry and business representatives participating in it.
3) Cabinet approves Infusion of capital by Government in IDBI Bank.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Infusion of Rs 4,557 crore by Government in IDBI Bank.
Reason for Infusion?
It will help in completing the process of IDBI Bank’s turn around and enable it to return to profitability and normal lending and giving Government the option of recovering its investment at an opportune time.
IDBI Bank needs a one-time infusion of capital to complete the exercise of dealing with its legacy book. It has already substantially cleaned up, reducing net NPA from a peak of 18.8% in June 2018 to 8% in June 2019. The capital for this has to come from its shareholders. LIC is at 51% and is not allowed to go higher by the insurance regulator. Of the Rs. 9,300 crore needed, LIC would meet 51% (Rs. 4,743 crores). Remaining 49%, amounting to Rs. 4,557 crore, is proposed from Government as its share on a one-time basis.
After this infusion, IDBI Bank expects to be able to subsequently raise further capital on its own and expects to come out of RBI’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework sometime next year. This cash neutral infusion will be through recap bonds i.e. Government infusing capital into the bank and the bank buying the recap bond from the Government the same day, with no impact on liquidity or current year’s Budget.
4) Cabinet approves Mechanism revision of ethanol price for supply to Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) for procurement of ethanol with effect from December’19 for one year period
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the following, including fixing higher ethanol price derived from different raw materials under the EBP Programme for the forthcoming sugar season 2019-20 during ethanol supply year from 1st December 2019 to 30th November 2020:
- The price of ethanol from C heavy molasses route be increased from Rs.43.46 per lit to Rs.43.75 per liter,
- The price of ethanol from B heavy molasses route be increased from Rs.52.43 per lit to Rs.54.27 per liter,
- The price of ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup route be fixed at Rs.59.48 per liter,
- Additionally, GST and transportation charges will also be payable. OMCs have been advised to fix realistic transportation charges so that long-distance transportation of ethanol is not disincentivized,
- OMCs are advised to continue according to the priority of ethanol from
- Sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup,
- B heavy molasses
- C heavy molasses and
- Damaged Food grains/other sources, in that order.
About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme
The government has been implementing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme wherein OMCs sell petrol blended with ethanol up to 10%. This program has been extended to the whole of India except Union Territories of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands with effect from 01st April 2019 to promote the use of alternative and environment-friendly fuels. This intervention also seeks to reduce import dependence for energy requirements and give a boost to the agriculture sector.
All distilleries will be able to take benefit of the scheme and a large number of them are expected to supply ethanol for the EBP program. Remunerative price to ethanol suppliers will help in the reduction of cane farmer’s arrears, in the process contributing to minimizing the difficulty of sugarcane farmers.
5) Curtain Raiser: Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2019
As part of the ongoing Indo-US defense cooperation, a joint military training, Exercise Yudh Abhyas - 2019 is being conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington, the USA from 05-18 September 2019. Exercise Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest joint running military training and defense corporation endeavors between India and the USA. This will be the 15th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries.
6) Induction of AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter
The IAF formally inducted the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter into its inventory at Air Force Station Pathankot.
- Apache attack helicopters are being purchased to replace the Mi-35 fleet. Alongside the capability to shoot fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles, air to air missiles, rockets and other ammunitions, it also has modern EW capabilities to provide versatility to helicopter in network-centric aerial warfare. Apaches have been an integral part of numerous historic campaigns worldwide. These aircraft have been modified specifically to suit the exacting standards demanded by IAF
- IAF has signed a contract with ‘The Boeing Company’ and US Government for 22 Apache Attack Helicopters. The first eight helicopters have been delivered on schedule and the last batch of helicopters is to be delivered by March 2020. These helicopters will be deployed in the Western regions of India.
About Apache.
The helicopter is capable of delivering a variety of weapons which include air to ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets and air to air Stinger missiles. Apache also carries one 30 mm chain gun with 1200 rounds as part of the area weapon subsystem. To add to the lethality of the helicopterer, it carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
7) MoS (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh to lay the foundation stone of NERAMAC Marketing complex in Guwahati
The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh will lay the foundation stone of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) Marketing complex in Guwahati, Assam. Shri Ram Muivah, Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC) will also be present on the occasion.
About NERAMAC.
NERAMAC is coming up with “Construction of its Marketing Complex at Six Mile, Guwahati” inland measuring 2007 sq. mt. (1.5 bighas) with the support of the North Eastern Council (NEC). This building will be constructed in two phases. In the first phase, Block I (Office cum Market Complex) of the Building will be developed up to 4th Floor and Block II (Guest House) will be developed up to 1st Floor at a total cost of Rs. 13.15 cr.
8) Government to develop a master plan for Tigers at High altitude
Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar released a report on Status of Tiger Habitats in high altitude ecosystems today in New Delhi.
The instant situation analysis study provides the rationale for stepping up high altitude conservation of the tiger while identifying possible viable habitats, corridor linkages, anthropogenic pressures, and induced landscape-level changes for evolving an in-situ conservation roadmap. This study, led by the GTF, with range country governments of Bhutan, India, and Nepal, along with conservation partners (WWF and country-specific collaborators), has been supported by the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHPC) of the IUCN AND DFW. This provides the action strategy for a high altitude tiger master plan, with gainful portfolio for local communities and ensuring the centrality of tiger conservation in development, trough an effective coordination mechanism, involving stakeholders and line departments operating within the landscape.
9) India announces the contribution of 22 mn USD to GFTAM for the 6th replenishment cycle.
India has announced a contribution of 22 million US Dollars to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFTAM) for the 6th replenishment cycle (2020-22), an increase of 10% over the amount contributed by us in the 5th cycle.
The partnership between India and Global Fund.
India shares a sustained partnership with the Global Fund since 2002 both as a recipient and as a donor. Global Fund support with an investment of US $ 2.0 billion so far has made significant contributions in attaining targets related to HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria reduction and escalating our fight against these three diseases. In the current funding cycle (2018-21), the Global Fund has allocated US$ 500 million to India. As a donor, India has contributed US$ 46.5 million so far till 2019 including US$ 20 million for the 5th Replenishment.
10) ESIC Signs an Agreement with SBI for Payments To ESIC Beneficiaries on Real-Time Basis
A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and SBI today in accordance with which, the SBI would provide e-payment services directly to the bank accounts of all ESIC beneficiaries and payees without any manual intervention as an integrated and automated process. The SBI would provide e-payment integration with the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) processes of ESIC through its Cash Management Product (CMP) e-payment technology platform.
Benefits of e-Payment
The e-payment integration would affect statutory benefit payments to ESIC beneficiaries as well as other payees on a real-time basis, reducing time lags and delays and at the same time, help to eliminate mistakes and errors caused by repetitive and manual data entries. The new system will benefit all stakeholders of ESIC. The agreement was signed in the presence of Shri Rajkumar, DG, ESIC and Shri Sunil Wadhera, DGM, SBI.
11) India pledges a contribution of 200,000 US dollars for the SEARO health emergency fund
India will contribute 200,000 US dollars towards the implementation of the preparedness stream under the South East Asia Health Emergency Response Fund (SEARHEF) announced by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare during the Ministerial Roundtable on Emergency Preparedness on day 2 of the ‘72nd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia. The Health Ministers of the South-East Asia Region of WHO also signed the Delhi Declaration on Emergency Preparedness.
12) Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has been appointed as the Governor of Telangana
Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has been appointed as the Governor of Telangana by President Ram Nath Kovind. Whereas, Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been appointed as the new Governor of Maharashtra and Arif Mohammed Khan has been appointed as the Kerala governor in place of P Sathasivam.
13) The new Health Insurance Scheme AB-MGRSBY Launched in Rajasthan
Rajasthan state government launched a new health insurance scheme called Ayushman Bharat-Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima Yojna (AB-MGRSBY) by integrating the Bhamashah Health Insurance Scheme(BSBY) of the State Government and Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna Scheme(AB-PMJAY) of the Central Government. Ayushman Bharat-Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima Yojna (AB-MGRSBY) Scheme Around 1.1 crore families will be covered under this Health Scheme.
14) Japan will soon launch a special police unit to patrol isles in the East China Sea.
Japan will soon launch a special police unit equipped with submachine guns and helicopters to patrol disputed isles in the East China Sea. The uninhabited islets are at the center of the conflict between Japan and China, which is also involved in a widening dispute with several Southeast Asian countries over control of islands in the South China Sea.
15) Narendra Modi to be honored with Global Goalkeeper Award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be honored with the prestigious 'Global Goalkeeper Award'. He will be felicitated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for his leadership and commitment to the Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan. The award is a "special recognition" that celebrates the commitment of a political leader towards the Global Goals, demonstrated through impactful work in their country and/or globally.
16) The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for transactions above Rs 2,000 in BHIM UPI (Unified Payment Interface) transactions is 0.65%
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has waived merchant fees for offline UPI transactions of up to Rs 100 made using QR(Quick Response) code scan-and-pay. For the large transactions, merchant fees have been capped at Rs 100. ii. For other transactions, the merchant discount rate (MDR) has been hiked to 0.30% (maximum Rs 100). Currently, it is 0.25% for transactions up to Rs 2,000. It will be 0.65% for transactions above Rs 2,000. The revised MDR rates will come into effect from October 1, 2019.
17) India has proposed to undertake deep ocean mining under Samudrayaan project
After Chandrayaan, India's is planning to explore the deep sea region with the 'Samudrayaan' project. The 'Samudrayaan' project proposes to send men into the deep sea in a submersible vehicle for ocean studies. The project is expected to become a reality by 2021-22.
18) K Thangaraj bagged the J C Satyendra N. Bose Fellowship for his outstanding scientific contributions within the field of population and medical genetics in 2019
K Thangaraj who is the Chief scientist at the Centre for Cellular and biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad has bagged the celebrated J C Satyendra N. Bose Fellowship Award. He was awarded for his outstanding scientific contributions within the field of population and medical genetics. Dr. Thangaraj is a population life scientist searching for the origin of the Indian population however humans migrated from Africa throughout inhabited different components of India.
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