Current Affairs June 2019

Current Affairs June 2019 | General Knowledge 2019 & June Current Affairs for All Competitive Exams In India

latest Current Affairs June 2019:

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 26

Central Government planned to set up Krishi Vigyan Kendras to double farmers’ income by 2022

Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar made central Government decide to use digital technology across rural India to double farmers income by the year 2022.

The Government set up 713 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) and 684 Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) at the district level in the country for dissemination of technologies among the farming community. The Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, and Block Chair Technology, Internet of things(loT) are the technologies used here.  

About 100 mobile apps are compiled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). They provide valuable information regarding farming, sending crop related advisories through SMS to the farmers. They are developed by the state’s Agricultural Universities, ICAR, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

Kerala topped NITI Aayog’s health index 2019 ranking

Kerala has topped the ranking state in terms of overall health performance as per the report submitted by NITI Aayog on health index. This is the second edition of its type. It measured the annual and incremental performances of states and UTs. 

Next to Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have emerged as the second and third best performers, respectively, on health parameters. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were ranked the two worst performers, respectively. 

Kerala secured an overall score of 74.01, while Uttar Pradesh was the least performing state with an overall score of 28.61. The report highlighted the outbreak of encephalitis in Bihar that killed over 150 children till 24 June.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed today

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on 26 June every year. It is aUnited Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed since 1989. The day was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has set the theme for 2019 as ‘Health for Justice. Justice for Health’. The theme highlights that justice and health are two sides of the same coin when it comes to addressing drug problems.

Effective responses to the world drug problem require inclusive and accountable institutions of criminal justice, health and social services to work hand in hand to provide integrated solutions, in line with the international drug control conventions, human rights obligations and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Rachna Khaira of The Tribune News Service won the 2019 Journalist of the Year

Rachna Khaira of The Tribune News Service won the Red Ink Award for Excellence in Indian Journalism Journalist of the Year 2019. She is currently working for The Huffington Post. 

The award is for her expose during 2018 on the functioning of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and its Aadhaar data cache. The investigation that was conducted by Rachna Khaira confirmed that personal data of millions of citizens were at risk of being hacked/traded for a price. The journalists ran a series of sting operations regarding the issue and it helped to raise serious doubts over government claims that Aadhaar data stored on UIDAI servers were safe and secure. 

The Red Ink awards are a set of annual awards which were instituted by The Mumbai Press Club in 2010. The award recognises an individual for his/her excellence in journalistic achievements as assessed by a special jury. This award grants national recognition to journalists by a professional body.

Nirmala Sitharaman among the 100 most influential UK power list

Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister of India, is among the 100 most influential women driving the UK-India relationship forward alongside one of Britain’s senior-most Cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt. 

The ‘100 Most Influential in UK-India Relations: Celebrating Women’ list was launched by UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid to mark India Day in the Houses of Parliament in London.

The third edition of this list was published by India Inc. The group that describe Nirmala Sitharaman is arguably one of India’s most powerful women, having recently been appointed the country’s Finance Minister — the first woman to hold this post, except for a brief stint by Indira Gandhi when she was the Prime Minister.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 25

UAE launches UN-developed anti-money laundering platform goAML

The United Arab Emirates’ Central Bank in Abu Dhabi at their Financial Intelligence Unit (FILI) introduced a new reporting platform ‘goAML’ (global operations Anti-Money Laundering). 

It is developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Their main aim is to curb organised crimes. It is the first country in the Gulf to launch this platform. 

All financial institutions in the IJAE must register on the new platform by June 27, 2019, to avoid penalties. Around 900 entities including, banks, insurance companies and money exchange centres to register on the platform. It will help FIU to prevent money laundering, financing against terrorism.

RBI launches CMS for online complaints against banks, NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a Complaint Management System (CMS) on its website on June 24, 2019. This RBI CMS has launched for lodging complaints against banks and NBFCs with a motto to improve customer experience in timely redressal of grievances. CMS portal at RBI’s website can be used to lodge complaints against any of the entities regulated by RBI.

.Keeping the convenience of the customers in mind, CMS has been designed to enable online filing of complaints. It provides features such as acknowledgement through SMS/Email notification(s), status tracking through unique registration number, receipt of closure advises and filing of Appeals, where applicable. It also solicits voluntary feedback on the customer’s experience.

The CMS is accessible on desktop as well as on mobile devices. The RBI also plans to introduce a dedicated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for tracking the status of complaints. Insights from the data available from CMS can be used by banks/FSPs for designing products which meet the expectations of their customers.

44th anniversary of 1975 Emergency

Today is the 44th anniversary of Emergency; On June 25, 1975, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared Emergency in India.  

 The Indian Emergency of 25th June 1975-21st March 1977 was a 21 month period, when President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, upon advice by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, declared a state of emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution of India, effectively bestowing on her the power to rule by decree, suspending elections and civil liberties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and saluted all those greats who fearlessly resisted the Emergency in 1975.

Nasa’s Curiosity Rover Detects High Methane Gas Levels on Mars

NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars has made yet another discovery about the Red Planet. It has found that methane gas is present on Mars.

The findings have come from the tunable laser spectrometer that is onboard the rover. The spectrometer is one of the three instruments that make up the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM).

 When Curiosity first landed on Mars, there were no signs of methane, but in 2013 there was a sudden spike. It seems that the rise and fall of methane gas is seasonal but the scientists at NASA do not have enough information on the reason yet.

World Bank approves $147 Million Loan to the Government of Jharkhand

The World Bank approved a $147 million loan agreement to provide basic urban services to the people of Jharkhand. Their aim is to improve the management capacity of the urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state. The focus is on improving the municipal sector’s capacity to provide basic urban services.

The main aim is to strengthen the capacity of the Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company (JUIDCO). They invest in urban services such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, and urban roads. 

Government of India urbanization and economic growth are interlinked and a comprehensive road map for municipal reforms through the AMRUT scheme.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 24

20 years of Kargil war

Indian Air Force (IAF) is commemorating 20 years of Kargil War on June 24, 2019. To mark this day IAF turned Gwalior air base into a war theatre with reforming some of the landmark air operations in 1999. IAF used Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft to reenact Tiger Hill attack. IAF aircraft and explosives were blown up on a ‘model hill’ to recreate the crucial events of the war.

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was the chief guest for the event. Five Mirage 2000, two MiG 21s and one Sukoi 30 MKI were on static display at the base. One of the Mirage 2000s showcased the Spice bomb carrier. The bomb was used in the Balakot airstrike in February.

The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LOC). In India, the conflict is also referred to as Operation Vijay which was the name of the Indian operation to clear the Kargil sector.

Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan appointed as the second Chief Justice of Telangana High Court

Raghvendra Singh Chauhan has been appointed as the second Chief Justice of Telangana High Court in Hyderabad.  He succeeded Chief Justice T.B. Radhakrishnan in April 2019.

He took the oath before Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan where Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi initiated swearing-in ceremony 

The Registrar General of Telangana High Court A. Venkateswar Reddy read out the warrant.

Shefali Juneja appointed as India’s representative in the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Government of India appointed Shefali Juneja appointed as India’s representative in the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for the period of three years. 

She is currently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA).  She will replace Alok Shekhar (IAS officer ) who is named for the post in October 2015.

The council member states are chosen under three headings namely states of chief importance in air transport, states make the largest contribution to the provision of facilities for air navigation 

Indian Navy launches Operation Sankalp in the Gulf of Oman

Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Sankalp’ in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Their main aim is to reassure safe passage of Indian flagged vessels transiting through the area.

INS Chennai and INS Sunayna deployed in the region to undertake maritime security operations.

Aerial surveillance in the area is done by IN aircraft. Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) of Indian Navy watch over the movement of ships in Gulf region.

Justice V Ramasubramanian appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court

Justice V Ramasubramanian appointed as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

He succeeded Chief Justice Surya Kant. The ceremony was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat. 

He served as an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court. He joined as permanent Judge from November 9, 2009 

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 22 & 23

India’s first iron ore mine discovered in Bangladesh

An announcement was made by the Geological Survey of Bangladesh stating an Iron ore mine was discovered at Isabpur village in Dinajpur.The percentage of iron in the mine around 65.

After the effect of extensive drilling over two months in the area. A 400-foot thick iron layer was found in Bangladesh after the result of the Geological Survey. Around 1,750 feet beneath the surface stretched over an area of 6-10 square kilometre. 

It indicates the high quality of the ore. The other countries like Canada, China, Brazil, Sweden, and Australia have the percentage of iron ore is below the level of 50. Other minerals such as gold, copper, nickel, and chromium also found at various levels of the mining. The discovery of the iron mine opened up economic prospects for the country. 

India’s first solar cruise vessel will debut in Kerala

India’s first solar-powered ferry in 2016, Kerala is gearing up for the launch of the country’s premier solar-powered cruise boat. The initiative comes from the State Water Transport Department (SWTD), whose solar ferry Aditya in the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route proved to be a success. The ₹3-crore cruise boat can carry 100 passengers is under construction at a boatyard in Aroor and comes from the stable of the builders of Aditya. It will be rolled out in Alappuzha in December.

The hybrid vessel will be powered by a motor that can source energy from solar panels, battery, and generator. Its battery will have 80 KWh (kilowatt hour) power backup, as compared to 50 KWh backup in Aditya. Aditya incurs a rock-bottom energy expense of ₹200 a day compared to the approximately ₹8,000 needed for diesel-powered ferries.

Solar vessels do not create air and noise pollution. The double-deck, double-engine catamaran-type vessel adheres to norms specified by the Indian Registry of Shipping (IRS). The vessel will have an air-conditioned lower deck and pushback seats. The upper deck, which is non-air conditioned, can be used for dining and to get a better view of the backwaters.

India has the highest data usage per smartphone in the World: Report

According to the  Ericsson Mobility Report, the monthly data usage per smartphone in India rose to 9.8 gigabytes (GB) at the end of 2018, the highest in the world.

It is expected that Monthly data usage per smartphone would grow at 11 per cent to reach 18 GB by 2024 from 9.8 GB in 2018. The report also projects that total mobile data usage per month in the country will go up 23 per cent in the coming five years, rising from 4.6 exabytes (EB) presently to 16 EB. One EB equals one billion GB.

At the end of 2018, there were 5.1 billion smartphone subscribers globally, 99 per cent of which were for 3G and 4G. North East Asia comes second with 7.1GB per month.

Govt set to roll out the IMEI database to help people track stolen mobile phones

The Telecom Ministry is set to roll out a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a database of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) to help people track their stolen mobile phones. People can inform the Department of Telecom (DoT) on losing their phones, which will, in turn, blacklist their IMEI numbers.

DoT had declared its plan to implement this project in July 2017 and a pilot was conducted in Maharashtra. According to TRAI data, there are 1.16 billion wireless subscribers in India as of March 2019. In the interim budget for 2019-20, the government allocated Rs 15 crore to the DoT for the CEIR project.

IMEI is a 15-digit number that uniquely identifies each mobile device. In line with global practices, DoT’s identity register will be a database of IMEI numbers that will consist of three lists – white, grey and black. Mobile phones with IMEI numbers in the white list will be permitted for use, while those in the blacklist will be the ones that are reported stolen or lost and will not be allowed to access the network. Devices with IMEI numbers in the greylist will be the ones that do not conform to standards but will be permitted to connect under supervision.

Canara Bank decided to grant only three free cash deposits of up to Rs 50,000

Cash deposits in Canara Bank accounts of up to Rs. 50,000 are free for 3 transactions in a month, and then there will be a service charge of ₹1 per thousand, with a minimum of ₹50 and a maximum of ₹5,000-plus GST.

This will be effective from July 1. The bank, however, gives five free cash withdrawals for saving banks (SB) accounts. However, senior citizen and Jan Dhan holders are exempt from the new levy.

This move coincides with transaction charges on National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) being waived off complying with RBI guidelines from July 1. SBI charges Rs 5 for the fifth withdrawal and Rs 50 as charges for the fourth cash deposit and thereafter.

Govt plans to raise income tax limit to Rs 3 lakh, hike 80C deduction limit

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may increase the personal income tax exemption limit to Rs 3 lakh of the annual income from the existing Rs 2.5 lakh for salaried class in the upcoming Budget 2019-20.

At present, income up to Rs 2.5 lakh is exempt from personal income tax. However, income between Rs 2.5 to 5 lakh attracts 5 per cent tax plus 4 percent cess, while that between Rs 5 to 10 lakh is levied with 20 per cent tax plus Rs 12,500 plus four per cent cess. Income above Rs 10 lakh is taxed at 30 per cent.

Government is also planning to increase the tax exemption limit for savings and investments made under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Currently, the ceiling is Rs 1.5 lakh. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is due to present the budget in the Lok Sabha on July 5.

Tech Mahindra signs contract with Airbus

Tech Mahindra signed a multi-year contract with Airbus for cabin and cargo design engineering. The relationship with Airbus in consolidating their global supplier base while driving business efficiencies and competencies in this process.

The main aim is to capitalize on the specialized skills and competencies in the growing cabin engineering business over the next few years.

Their motto to develop innovative engineering and digital solutions for our customers. 

Viral Acharya RBI Deputy Governor quits before his term ends

Viral Acharya, Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) youngest deputy governor has resigned from his role before the end of his tenure. 

Acharya, who joined the RBI on January 23, 2017, for a three-year term, may return to New York University Stern School of Business (NYU Stern) in August, instead of February 2020. In the past six months, this is the second high profile resignation at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 

In December 2018, former governor Urjit Patel resigned nearly nine months before the end of his scheduled term over. The RBI is now left with three deputy governors N S Vishwanathan, B P Kanungo and M K Jain.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 21

Fifth International Yoga Day being celebrated on June 21

The International Day of Yoga is being observed across the world today, on June 21, 2019. Yoga has gained widespread popularly ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of the International Day on June 21, 2015.

While yoga is known to be a natural healer of various diseases and has been practised for thousands of years, it was earlier considered old school and meant only for old people.  

The International Day of Yoga 2019 theme is “Climate Change” and it will be celebrated at United Nation on 20 June 2019 with “Yoga with Gurus” followed by a panel discussion on 21 June.

World Music Day 2019

The World Music Day 2019 is being observed across the world today, on June 21, 2019, the same day as the International Yoga Day. The International day, also known as theFête de la Musique, is an annual celebration of music and on the occasion, people are urged to play music in public places and parks and various free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for free.

The first such music celebration was initiated by French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret. The International Music Day was first celebrated in Paris in 1982 and later it spread across 120 countries around the world. The World Music Day aims to encourage both amateur and professional musicians to perform on the streets.

The day aims to make all genres of music accessible to the public through the medium of free music concerts

Google Doodle celebrates 21 June as Longest Day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

Summer Season 2019 Google Doodle celebrates the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere today! The Google doodle shows a picture of the Google logo that depicts the Earth in a happy mood, enjoying the summer Sun.

June 21 is the longest day of the year 2019 as it marks the Summer Solstice, the official first day of the Summer Season in the Northern Hemisphere. Today, half of the planet, i.e. people living north of the Equator will enjoy the maximum amount of sunlight in a single day.

The warmest season of the year, the Summer Season begins in the Northern hemisphere today with the Summer Solstice and will last till September 22 or 23. Summer Solstice is also known as the ‘June Solstice’. Here is the literal meaning of ‘Solstice’: ‘Sol’ that means Sun, and ‘Stitium’ that means to stand still.

With Geographical Indication tag, Kolhapuri chappals set to go big

Maharashtra’s extremely popular footwear industry, renowned for its handcrafted leather Kolhapuri chappal has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which is likely to further boost its sales in other parts of the country and abroad.

The Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks has granted the GI tag for Kolhapuris to four districts of Maharashtra — Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli and Satara — along with four in Karnataka — Dharwad, Belgaum, Bagalkot and Bijapur. The GI tag approvals implies that the artisans producing Kolhapuris in these districts will now be able to make and market their product in domestic and international markets.

This also means the artisans can tie up with leading e-commerce players for higher profits. More importantly, it also prohibits the usage of the term “Kolhapuris” for similar products made in other parts of the country.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 20

AICC decides to dissolve Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) decided to dissolve the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

The president and working president of the KPCC would remain unchanged, the party said in a statement.

The development comes amid reports that all is not well between the ruling allies in the state.

Twitter to remove precise location tagging in tweets

Twitter through its Support account on the platform tweeted it will remove precise location tagging in tweets as most people don’t use this feature.

However, the microblogging platform tweeted, users, will still be able to tag precise location in tweets through its updated camera. “We’re removing this ability to simplify your Tweeting experience,” the tweet further stated.

Twitter users can opt out of location sharing features in its “privacy and safety” menu.

Ireland plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2030

Ireland decided to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 as part of a major strategy to protect the environment. It is one among the 180 measures of the Irish government published in the ‘Climate Action Plan’.

They plan to have 950,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads supported by a network of charging stations. This plan also includes the elimination of non-recyclable plastic and higher fees for plastic items which are difficult to recycle.

Their main objective is to transition to a low-carbon to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The ban of the sale of new fossil fuel cars, they would stop granting National Car Test (NCT) certificates to such vehicles by 2045.

Maharashtra topped the USGBC list of Top 10 States for LEED in India

The Second Edition of the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) list of India’s top 10 states is released. Maharashtra bagged the top slot with 334 LEED-certified green buildings

It is followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu with the rankings 232 and 157 buildings respectively. LEED is a widely used green building rating system in order to rank states in terms of cumulative Gross Square Feet (GSF) of certified space.

They were ranked on December 31, 2018. At the first Edition of the list Tamil Nadu ranked first with 118 buildings.

India extended $15 million grant to Niger to organize the AU summit

India extended USD 15 million assistance to Nigeria for organizing the African Union (AU) summit scheduled to be held in Niamey. This summit is scheduled to be held in Niamey from July 7-8. It is the first time that Niger is scheduled to host an AU summit.

The assistance in the form of the grant was symbolically handed over to Niger’s Deputy Foreign Minister Lamido Ousseini Bala Goga Salamatou by Ambassador of India to Niger Rajesh Agarwal held on June 17 in Niamey.

This summit is expected to launch the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). India provided Lines of Credit worth USD 96.54 million to Nigeria for projects in transport, electrification, solar energy, and potable drinking water. India also establishes the Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) in Niamey under grant assistance.

World Refugee Day is observed on 20 June

World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 each year. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world. The theme for 2019 World Refugee Day is #StepWithRefugees — Take A Step on World Refugee Day. The theme expects communities, schools, businesses, faith groups and people from all walks of life should take big and small steps in solidarity with refugees.

Refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.The United Nations General Assembly decided that from 2000, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. The General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Prior to 2000, the African Refugee Day had been formally celebrated in several countries. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to the decision of the UN to observe the International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.

Satya Nadella, Shantanu Narayen ranked among the top 10 US CEOs

According to an annual survey by employment website Glassdoor Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Abobe’s Shantanu Narayen ranked among the top 10 US CEOs.

In the list of best CEOs, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg came in at 55, and Apple’s Tim Cook was ranked 69. Shantanu Narayen and Satya Nadella occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

Patrick Gelsinger, the chief executive officer of Silicon Valley software maker VMware Inc., was ranked the best CEO in America.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 19

RBI imposes Rs.1 crore penalty on HDFC for violating its norms

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed Rs.1 crore penalty on private sector lender HDFC Bank for violating know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) norms. The penalty was imposed on 18 June 2019. RBI had received a reference from customs’ authorities regarding submission of forged bill of entries (BoEs) by certain importers to the bank for remittance of foreign currency.

RBI’s examination revealed the violations of the RBI directions on KYC/AML norms and on reporting of frauds. RBI said that the penalties are based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance. Also, it is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the banks with their customers.

RBI said that a notice was issued to HDFC Bank on why monetary penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the directions. The fine was imposed on HDFC after considering HDFC Bank’s reply, oral submissions made during the personal hearing and additional submission made. RBI imposed the penalty in the exercise of the powers vested to it under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Om Birla has been elected as the 17th Lok Sabha Speaker

Om Birla has been unanimously elected as the 17th Lok Sabha Speaker with the opposition Congress coming out in support of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s candidate. Birla will replace Sumitra Mahajan.

He is a two-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of Parliament (MP) from Rajasthan. Birla is also a member of the Standing Committee on Energy in Parliament, member of the Committee on Petitions and Consultative Committee for Ministry of social justice and empowerment. He has an 86% average attendance in the House.

Mr.Birla was nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah and minister for transport and highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari. He was also backed by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) which was led by the Congress has also decided to support Birla’s candidature.

India’s population will overtake China by 2027: UN Report 2019

United Nations has released it’s World Population Prospects 2019 recently.

This report explained that India is expected to show the highest population increase between now and 2050, overtaking China as the world’s most populous country, by around 2027.

India, along with eight other countries, will make up over half of the estimated population growth between now and 2050.

Amazon India is the country’s most attractive employer brand, says the survey

E-commerce giant Amazon India is the country’s most attractive employer brand, according to the findings of the Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2019.

The company, which has more than 50,000 direct and indirect employees in India, has been steadily been expanding operations over the past five years.

According to the REBR 2019, Amazon scored high on financial health, utilisation of the latest technologies and a strong reputation. Microsoft India emerged as the runner-up, followed by Sony India. Others in the top 10 are Mercedes-Benz (4th), IBM (5th), Larsen & Toubro (6th), Nestlé (7th), Infosys (8th), Samsung (9th), and Dell (10th).

Himachal Pradesh makes GPS device must for trekkers

The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday made it mandatory for trekkers to carry a GPS device to tackle any exigency.

A decision in this regard was taken at a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Shrikant Baldi here on preparedness for the monsoon.

Being a disaster-prone state, it is essential to pay special attention to disseminating weather advisories and installing early warning systems in Himachal Pradesh. While Kullu and Dalhousie have been identified for installation of early warning systems, Rampur and Mandi towns have been zeroed in for setting up the relief and rescue base of National Disaster Response Force.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 18

India to host COP-14 of UNCCD

India will be hosting the 14th session of the Conference of Parties (COP-14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) for the first time. COP-14 will be held between September 2 and 14 in Delhi.

Participants: It is expected that at least 5,000 delegates from nearly 197 countries will be participating.  The Centre launched a flagship project, part of a larger international initiative called the Bonn Challenge ahead of the COP-14. The flagship project aims to enhance India’s capacity for forest landscape restoration (FLR).

The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded land under restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.The 13th session of the Conference of Parties (COP-13) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was held in Ordos, China. Around 113 countries had agreed to specify concrete targets with clear indicators, to rehabilitate more land and reverse degradation, which currently affects over a third of the world’s land resources.

India to celebrate the 20th anniversary of victory in Operation VIJAY

India is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of victory in Operation VIJAY, which popularly known as the Kargil War. The Kargil War is a saga of strong political, military and diplomatic actions.

The Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations for the year 2019 will be spread over three days from 25-27 July 2019 and will be organized at Dras and New Delhi. However, as part of the build-up to the main event, numerous activities are planned to be organized all over the country with effect from the first week of July 2019.

The theme of the day is ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’. The objective of these celebrations is to evoke feelings of nationalism and patriotism through nationwide campaigns especially amongst the youth and to pay homage to the valiant soldiers.

DCC asks Trai to review Rs 3,050 crore penalty on Vodafone Idea and Airtel

The apex decision-making body in the telecom ministry, the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), has asked telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to review its stand before imposing a Rs 3,050 crore penalty on Vodafone Idea and Airtel for not providing points of interconnection (PoIs) to Reliance Jio.

Amid financial stress in the sector, the DCC has sought the Trai to review the penalty amount. The penalty on Airtel and Vodafone works out to Rs 1,050 crore each. In the case of Idea, it comes to about Rs 950 crore. Merged Vodafone Idea, however, would have to pay a penalty of Rs 2,000 crore.

While the DCC has agreed to impose a penalty on the incumbent telcos, it has asked the regulator to review the amount of penalty as the telcos are grappling with huge debt — the incumbents have a combined debt of over Rs 2 trillion and are striving to reduce it.

Facebook launches digital currency Libra

Facebook launched its own digital currency ‘Libra’, powered by blockchain technology, for users around the world.

Facebook’s ‘Calibra’ digital wallet will let users save, send and spend Libra with a smartphone.

The digital wallet, expected to launch in 2020, will be available in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and as a standalone app.

World Food India to be held from 1st to 4th November 2019 in New Delhi

The second edition of World Food India is planned at a much bigger and grandeur level from 1-4 November 2019 at Vigyan Bhawan and Rajpath Lawns in New Delhi.

World Food India 2019 shall consist of several top-level seminars, investment opportunities, exhibitions, high-level CEO roundtables, country sessions, B2B and B2G networking etc.  

For the year 2019, the Ministry is targeting to partner with at least 15 countries and participation from at least 80 countries. The tagline of the event will be “Forging Partnerships for Growth”.

Govt. demands fingerprinting of messages from WhatsApp to trace the origin

The Indian government has demanded Whatsapp, the Facebook-owned messaging application, to digitally fingerprint messages that are sent on its platform without breaking the encryption.

The move is to ensure traceability of all content shared through the WhatsApp platform, without reading the message. The decision is in line with draft amendments to intermediary guidelines of the Information Technology Act released in December 2018, which requires all internet platforms to ensure traceability of the origin of all content shared through them.

This step may provide harm free speech on the internet and can increase government control on private data. This will require the government to introduce accountable measures at its end, to ensure data protection.

PM Narendra Modi is likely to meet chief executives of Indian banks on 21 June

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet chief executives of Indian banks on June 21. He will discuss a blueprint for the banking sector for the next five years in terms of growth and consolidation amid a slowing economy and a crisis in the shadow banking sector.

The Finance Ministry held discussions with bank chiefs on improving lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, agriculture and other productive sectors of the economy, and also on ease of doing business. The Ministry has also held discussions with banks on the ongoing crisis in non-banking financial sectors as NBFCs are facing liquidity crunch following the debt default by IL&FS.

The country’s GDP growth has been slowed to 5.8% in the January-March 2019 quarter. It might drag down the full-year growth to a 5-year low of 6.8%. This has impacted the productive sectors of the economy.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 17

Centre is to set up a high-level task force for agri reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Centre is to set up a high-level task force for agri reforms. The decision was made in the fifth meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council. The task force is for undertaking structural reforms in agriculture, including strengthening logistics, produce marketing, food processing as well as changes to the Essential Commodities Act.

The PM has pitched for foundational reforms in the agri-economy, leading to a complete transformation of the agriculture sector in India. The task force will constitute of few chief ministers.

Because of the drought situation, some States have asked for changes in the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) guidelines. The task force will work with MHA and Agriculture ministry to make changes. India is targeting a $5 trillion economy by 2024.  

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought observed on June 17

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought day is observed every year on June 17. The theme for this year is Let’s grow the future together. The aim of the day is to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said land degradation and drought are major threats affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly women and children. Every year, the world loses 24 billion tons of fertile soil and dryland degradation reduces national domestic product in developing countries by up to 8 per cent annually.

Protecting and restoring land and better using it can reduce forced migration, improve food security and spur economic growth.  

FundzBazar launched ‘Selfie Wala KYC’ feature for first-time mutual fund investors

FundzBazar online mutual fund investment platform launched by Prudent, launched ‘Selfie Wala KYC’ feature. It is applicable for the first-time mutual fund investors.

Investors can complete their KYC (Know your Customer) process at any place. It allows the investors to carry out the IPV (In-Person Verification) to upload a video and a selfie to speed up the KYC process.

The 5 steps should be followed are Upload and enter Proof of Address, Date of Birth. Upload PAN Card. Download Signature Declaration form, sign it and upload it. To avail this feature, investors need to sign up and register on Fundzbazar which is available on the website and FundzBazar Android Mobile App.

ISRO opens its laboratories for Indian school students

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is an agency which has the legacy of India’s ancient knowledge and modern technology. She opened its laboratories for Indian school students to undergo two-week training from this year. The first batch of 108 students drawn from all states.

Union Territories completed their exposure in its laboratories in Bengaluru, Sriharikota, Thiruvananthapuram. The training module is devised as part of its new Young Scientists Programme called as Yuva Vigyanik Karyakram, YUVIKA. ISRO’s YUVIKA is modelled around the Indian government’s vision ‘Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’.

The initiative is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to children to kindle their interest in the emerging areas of space activities. The two-week-long program would include invited talks, experience sharing by eminent scientists, facility and lab visits, exclusive sessions for discussions with experts, practical and feedback sessions.

Encephalitis kills 100 kids in Bihar

At least 100 children have lost their lives due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Bihar. This syndrome is locally known as Chamki Bukhar. Till now 83 children have died in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), while 17 have lost their lives in Kejriwal hospital in the city.

Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan had recently visited Sri Krishna Medical College Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur and assured that no essential work will be left to deal with the disease. He also said that to control the outbreak of this disease agencies should work together with International organizations and all children of affected areas should be vaccinated. Also, people need to be aware of the disease.

The toxic substance in lychee causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), locally known as Chamki Bukhar, which is a form of brain fever that happens due to the inflammation of the brain.

Yashovardhan Birla declared ‘wilful defaulter’ by UCO bank

Chairman of the Yash Birla group, Yashovardhan Birla, also known as Yash Birla, has declared a ‘wilful defaulter’ on June 16, 2019, by Kolkata-based UCO Bank. UCO Bank claimed that one of Yashovardhan’s group companies, Birla Surya, defaulted on loans of Rs 67.65 crore.

As per the UCO bank’s statement given to the media, Yash Birla was sent several notices regarding the repayment of the loan. His company was given a credit limit of Rs. 1 billion to manufacture multi-crystalline solar photovoltaic cells.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 15 & 16

Ritu Kridhal and Vanitha to head India’s 2nd Moon mission Chandrayaan-2

For the first time, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has appointed two women scientists – Ritu Karidhal (as mission director) and Muthayya Vanitha(as project director) – to head India’s second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan announced that close to 30 per cent of the ISRO team working on Chandrayaan 2 are women.

Ritu Karidhal was referred to as the ‘Rocket Woman of India’. She became famous with the launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission where she was the deputy operations director. Muthayya Vanitha received the Best Woman Scientist award in 2006 by the Astronomical Society of India.

India’s trade deficit widened to USD 15.36 bn in May month

Ministry of Commerce reported that India’s trade deficit expanded to a six-month high of $15.4 billion in May, with import growth outpacing export growth following a 37% jump in gold imports. Exports grew by 3.93% in the month of May, while imports rose 4.31%.

Out of six months in the past 7 months, the exports have been in low single digits which barred March when it grew in double digits. Rising crude oil prices, amid sanctions on Iranian oil imports, could further increase imports and put pressure on India’s current account deficit.

China’s exports in May increased by 1.1%, while imports fell by 8.5%. This lead to a significantly higher trade surplus of $41.65 billion than analysts projected.The announcement comes with an aim to enhance the security of the cash vending machines.

RBI directed all the banks to grout ATMs to a structure to enhance security

The Reserve Bank of India has asked the banks to ensure their ATMs are grouted to a wall, pillar, or floor by the end of September month, except those installed in high secured premises such as airports.

The ATMs shall be operated for cash replenishment only with digital One Time Combination (OTC) locks. All banks can also roll out a comprehensive e-surveillance mechanism at the ATMs. This will ensure timely alerts and quick response.

UNCTAD World Investment Report 2019

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2019, India received foreign direct investments (FDI) worth USD 42 billion in 2018.

India attracted over 77% of the total foreign direct investments that came to the South Asian region. The global FDI slipped by 13% in 2018, to US$1.3 trillion from $1.5 trillion in 2017, the third consecutive annual decline.

India’s rank as a source country for FDI dropped one place to 10th position as it was overtaken by Spain. Investment in India rose by 6% to USD 42 billion. Among others in the South Asian region, FDI flows to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka rose to a record level, to USD 3.6 billion and USD 1.6 billion, respectively, while Pakistan witnessed a 27% decline in investment to USD 2.4 billion.

Akshaya Patra was awarded the BBC World Service Global Champion Award

The Bengaluru-based NGO Akshaya Patra has been awarded the BBC World Service Global Champion Award for the programme.

The award is presented at the BBC Food and Farming Awards in Bristol, London. The award recognises a project or person who is changing the way the world produces, processes, consumes or thinks about food for the better.

Akshaya Patra was selected by an international panel of judges from nominations sent in by the World Service audience around the world.  

India to impose retaliatory tariffs on 29 US goods

Ministry of Commerce has announced to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods that will be effective from June 16 onwards. The retaliatory tariffs will be on 29 goods imported from the U.S.

The Ministry initially decided to impose tariffs in 2018. The decision is ahead of the meeting between Modi and Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan. The move made by the trade ministry was approved by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The tariffs will be applied on $220-290 million worth of goods that are imported from the US and will have about the same impact as the tariffs imposed by Washington on India in 2018.

Adani Group got its approval for the Carmichael coal mine project in Australia

Adani-led Adani Group has got its approval from the Queensland state government, Australia for the Carmichael coal mine project in Australia.

The plan was approved by the central government in April 2019. The project aims to ensure energy security for India and create more jobs for Australia.

Adani Group’s mining project in Australia faced various controversies for almost nine years as the environmentalists warned it of the severe damage it might cause to the Great Barrier Reef.

Sahitya Akademi announces winners of 2019 Bal Sahitya Puraskar, Yuva Puraskar

Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters has announced a list of 22 winners of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar and 23 recipients of the Yuva Puraskar for the year 2019. The selection of awardees in Agartala has been approved by the Executive Board of the Akademi, under the chairmanship of its President, Chandrashekhar Kambar.

The Bal Puraskar award is to be conferred upon the winners on the Children’s Day. The day for the Yuva Puraskar is yet to be decided.

The winners of both the awards will receive a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a cheque of Rs 50,000. The books that won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2019 includes eleven books of poetry, including works by Anuj Lugun (Hindi), Sagar Nazir (Kashmiri), Anuja Akathoottu (Malayalam); six of short stories by authors, including Tanuj Solanki (English), Ajay Soni (Gujarati), Keerti Parihar (Rajasthani); five novels by Moumita (Bengali), and Salman Abdus Samad (Urdu).

Scientists create history; install world’s highest weather station at Mount Everest’s Death Zone

Climate scientists have created a history by installing the world’s highest operating weather station at Mount Everest’s Death Zone, including five other automated stations on other parts of the mountain.

Tom Matthews and Baker Perry, along with a crew of engineers, stood on the Mount Everest’s flank at 27,650 feet (8,430 metres), and erected seven-foot- the building of a weather station that can withstand extreme winds and cold weather.

The weather station will record data on temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, and wind direction. Besides, the new weather stations will also give scientists direct observations to understand jet stream, and will also help understand how climate change is affecting the Himalayas.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 13

RBI to infuse Rs.15,000 crore into the financial system through the purchase of government bonds

The Reserve Bank of India is to infuse Rs.15,000 crore into the financial system through bond purchases on June 13.RBI made the decision after assessing prevailing liquidity conditions and also of the durable liquidity needs that are going forward.

RBI uses Open Market Operations (OMO) for injecting liquidity into the system through the purchase of government bonds (G-sec). Therefore, RBI is to conduct the purchase of six G-sec under OMOs through multi-security auction using the multiple price method.

G-sec is issued either by the central or the state government. They are offered for short term as well as long term.

Cabinet approved the setting up of Defence Space Research Agency (DSRO)

The Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the setting up of Defence Space Research Agency (DSRO), a new agency, which will develop sophisticated weapon systems. The approval aimed to To enhance the capabilities of the armed forces to fight wars in space.

DSRO will be entrusted with the task of creating space warfare weapon systems and technologies. It would provide the research and development support to the Defence Space Agency (DSA). The aim of setting up of DSA is to help the country fight wars in space.

DSA is being set up under an Air Vice Marshal-rank officer in Bengaluru. It will be gradually taking over the space-related capabilities of the three forces.

GST council to introduce new GST return system

GST Council decided to introduce a new GST return system to facilitate taxpayers. The tool is the same as that of the online portal.

The new plan is worked out to ease the transition to the new return system. A prototype of the offline tool has already been shared on the common portal to give the look and feel of the tool to the users.

There are three main components to the new return, one main return (FORM GST RET-1) and two annexures (FORM GST ANX-1 and FORM GST ANX-2). The new return system (ANX-1 & ANX-2 only) will be available for trial for taxpayers to make themselves familiar.

Japan To Invest Rs 13,000 crores In Northeast India

The Government of Japan planned to invest an amount of 205.784 billion Yen equal to Rs 13000 crores to complete new projects in different states of India’s North- Eastern region.

This decision is disclosed after a meeting held with Minister Jitendra Singh with Japanese delegation led by Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu. The important topics where Japan collaborates include Guwahati Water Supply Project and Guwahati Sewage Project in Assam, Northeast Road Network

The main project established all over Assam and Meghalaya and Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project in Sikkim and Tripura, Technical Cooperation Project for Sustainable Agriculture & Irrigation in Mizoram, Forest Management Project in Nagaland.

DRDO successfully tested the indigenously developed HSTDV along with several technologies

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden test of an indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) along with several technologies on 12 June.

The HSTDV missile was successfully launched from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The missile was tracked by various radars, telemetry stations and electro-optical tracking sensors through its course.

The project aims to develop a hypersonic vehicle that will be powered by a scramjet engine. The HSTDV demonstrated the performance of a scram-jet engine at an altitude of 15 km to 20 km.

The Union Cabinet approved an extension of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir

The Union Cabinet approved an extension of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir for six more months beginning July 3. The central rule has been continuing in Jammu and Kashmir since June 20, 2018.

After the approval of the Union Cabinet, the President Ram Nath Kovind will sign the proclamation for the imposition of President’s rule in the state.  The President’s rule which was imposed in J&K on 20 December 2018 expires on July 2.

The Governor of J&K Satypal Malik has also recommended that the President rule in the state may be extended for a further period of six months with effect from July 3. This is because, Under Section 92 of the Constitution of J&K, there is no provision for further continuation of Governor’s rule after six months.

NTA to conduct IGNOU entrance exam for MBA and BEd courses for Jan 2020 admission

Entrance examinations of IGNOU’s MBA (OPENMAT) and B.Ed programmes are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) across 100 cities across India. NTA conducting Computer Based Entrance Test for higher educational institutions.

The decision is because of the agency’s expertise in holding entrance exams transparently, efficiently and swiftly. The test for admission to MBA  – OPENMAT – and entrance for B.Ed programs for January 2020 admissions will both be conducted by the NTA on July 27 at more than 100 cities across India.

The complete details of the programs are available on the IGNOU website http://www.ignou.ac.in.  The online registration ends on July 1, 2019. It is Computer Based Entrance Test for IGNOU done by JNU University.

Indian girl honoured in UAE for Green efforts

Eight-year-old Indian expat student collected nearly 15,000 kg of paper waste. Nia Tony was honoured with Eco Champions of Recycling award for her efforts in keeping the environment clean by collecting paper waste.

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) reduce the level of projected carbon emissions by at least 73,393 metric tonnes. Eco-friendly drive three categories – corporations, academic institutions and individuals/families – and the materials that were collected included paper, plastic, glass, cans, mobiles, among other items.

She collected nearly 15,000 kg of paper waste in Gulf’s United Arab Emirate (UAE) as part of a nationwide recycling campaign. She campaigned around her residency area to collect paper so that it can be recycled.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 12

MoSPI has proposed to set up a National Data Warehouse to leverage big data analytical tools

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has proposed to set up a National Data Warehouse with an aim to leveraging big data analytical tools. This move is to further improve the quality of macro-economic aggregates. MoSPI also plans to introduce a legislative framework so that the National Statistical Commission (NSC) can function with independence and give holistic guidance for improving the national statistical system.

The move also lends its support to the system reforms that are currently ongoing. It will also ensure responsiveness to the changing needs of society that are necessary.

MoSPI is responsible for the development of the statistical system and maintains norms and standards in the field of statistics that involves concepts and definitions, methodology of data collection, processing of data and dissemination of results. MoSPI is concerned with coverage and quality aspects of statistics.

Amazon clinches top spot in the world’s most valuable brand ranking

Amazon clinched the world’s most valuable brand in cloud computing, consumer tech and movie production. It is founded by the world’s richest man Jeff Bezos. According to the 2019 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands rankings, Amazon online retailer set its brand value quintuple in the past five years to reach $315.5billion.

It is undertaken annually by advertising holding company WPP. The detailed study of Brand Z reveals firms financial data and draws on an extensive consumer survey to reach its conclusions.

Amazon expanded into grocery, healthcare, food delivery and, with its Alexa devices, even voice recognition. Amazon jumped from third to first place to eclipse Google.

BJP MP Virendra Kumar to be pro-tem speaker of Lok Sabha

Virendra Kumar, a seven-time MP from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh chosen as the pro tem speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha.

He was MoS in the ministry of women and child development He was also in the minority affairs ministry in the previous government.

He is likely to be administered the oath of office at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 17, the day where newly elected Lok Sabha commences its first session.

India hands over NPR 1.6 billion to Nepal for post-quake reconstruction

India handed over NPR 1.6 billion as reimbursement of part payment of the first and second tranches of housing reconstruction in Nuwakot and Gorkha, among the areas affected in the devastating 2015 earthquake. The amount has been released towards reimbursement of part payment of first and second tranches of housing reconstruction extended by the Government of India to 50,000 housing beneficiaries in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts. Until now, India has reimbursed a total of NPR 4.5 billion to Nepal. India is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for providing socio-technical facilitation to the affected house owners to ensure that homes are rebuilt as per the Nepalese Government’s earthquake resilient norms.

Max Life Insurance Company launched ‘My Protection Quotient’ Tool

Max Life Insurance company one of the famous insurance companies in India announced the launch of a unique proprietary tool, ‘My Protection Quotient’ (MyPQ) its commitment to ensuring financial protection in the country.

MyPQ a smart tool designed to gauge the level of an individual’s financial protection and their main aim to promote awareness and importance of term plans in protecting the financial future of families.Its aim to help customers understand various aspects of financial planning, elements that are missing or require an upgrade to ensure that they have the right amount of life cover which helps customers to achieve their life goals with risk protection.

This tool will help consumers gauge their preparedness for their life stage goals and protection against unplanned eventualities of life. Max Life insurance to drive the agenda of financial protection in India. MyPQ on the first-month anniversary dedicated 6th of every month as ‘Protection Day’

International Day Against Child Labour observed on June 12

International Labour Organization (ILO) started to celebrate the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002. The aim is to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.

The 2019 theme is Children shouldn’t work in fields, but on dreams!. The day brings government employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015 to include a renewed global commitment to ending child labour. Sustainable Development Goals and effective measures are take-ups in order to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour includes use of child labours by the year 2025 and to end child labour in all its forms.

Thawarchand Gehlot replaces Arun Jaitley as Leader of Rajya Sabha

Thawarchand Gehlot, the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, has been appointed as the new leader of Rajya Sabha.

The position was previously occupied by senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley under the first Narendra Modi-led government. However, Jaitley opted out of being a part of Modi Government’s second term citing health reasons.

Gehlot has almost four decades of political and legislative experience. He has served as a member of the Madhya Pradesh state assembly several times and also as a member of Lok Sabha.

Chandrayaan-2 to be launched on July 15

Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on July 15, 2019, confirmed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan on June 12. ISRO has released the first images of the moon lander.

Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the moon, is expected to lift off at 2:51 am on July 15 from Sriharikota space centre in Andhra Pradesh. Chandrayaan-2 will be launched aboard GSLV MK-III launch vehicle.

Chandrayaan-2 is a 3.8-ton spacecraft that has been constructed at a cost of more than Rs 600 crore. The cost of the launch vehicle GSLV MK III is expected to be around Rs 375 crore. Chandrayaan-2 will comprise three modules, an orbiter, a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan.  The orbiter will have eight payloads, while the Lander and the Rover will have three and two respectively.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 11

M Narendra Modi to meet Putin and Xi Jinping in sidelines to SCO summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Prime Minister Modi is to reiterate his invitation to President Xi to visit India for an informal summit in 2019. The first informal summit was held in Wuhan in 2018.

The SCO summit is to be held on June 14 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. It will be the first multilateral meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his re-election in the Lok Sabha election. The group will discuss issues related to terrorism, Afghanistan, regional security, multilateral dialogue and global scenario.

Canada to ban single-use plastics from 2021

Canada will ban single-use plastics from the year 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau planned to ban plastic bottles, straws and plastic bags clogging the world’s oceans.

Canada to lead to fighting against plastic pollution as the country with the world’s longest coastline. Currently, 10 per cent of plastics are recycled. A  million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals worldwide suffer injury or death through the food chain. Plastic Straws, plastic bags, cutlery, plates among the items.

Around 180 countries reached a deal to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the world’s oceans. Marine animals can become entangled in larger plastics – particularly cord, nets, and ropes from fishing. Canadian government planned to decide single-use plastic products included a ban of plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates and stir sticks. Around 3m tonnes of plastic waste thrown away each year in Canada.

Imports from Pakistan to India has declined by 92 percent in March

Imports from Pakistan to India has declined by 92% to $2.84 million in March 2019. This is after the imposition of 200% customs duties on all products following Pulwama terror attack. According to the data of the commerce ministry, the imports from Pakistan stood at $34.61 million in March 2018.

Exports from India to Pakistan have also reduced by about 32% to over $171 million in March. Also, during the January-March period, the first quarter of 2018-19 fiscal, the imports from Pakistan declined by 47 per cent to $53.65 million.

After the Pulwama terror attack, India had revoked the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan. The MFN status was granted to Pakistan in 1996

State Bank of India introduces Repo Rate-Linked Home Loan

State Bank of India Introduced repo rate-linked home loans July 1, 2019. The Key interest rate is reduced to 5.75%. After the move, the effective repo-linked lending rate (RLLR) for a cash credit and overdraft customers will be 8 per cent. These changes will also take effect on July 1.

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)lowered the repo rate by 25 basis points and switched to an “accommodative” stance from “neutral”.

The decision by the RBI to ease the monetary policy follows official data last month showing India lost its status as the fastest growing major economy to China. SBI has a share of around 35 per cent in home loans and auto loans.

ASI declares Chaukhandi Stupa as of national important monument

Chaukhandi Stupa, an ancient Buddhist site located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, has been declared as a Monument and protected area of national importance by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Chaukhandi Stupa is a lofty mound of brick whose square edifice is surrounded by an octagonal tower. It was built to mark the place where Lord Buddha met his first disciples as he travelled from Bodhgaya to Sarnath.

The Chaukhandi Stupa is said to be originally a terraced temple during the Gupta period, that 4th to 6th Century. Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal gave the present shape to the Chaukhandi Stupa. He built an octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the great Mughal ruler.

Mount Sinabung volcano erupted in Sumatra Island

Mount Sinabung volcano erupts in Sumatra Island of western Indonesia. A huge column of ash was blasted and spread 7 km high to southeast and south of the crater.

Mount Sinabung blew for nine minutes. It caused panic among the island’s residents. The volcanic activity was accompanied by multiple earthquakes felt in nearby villages. No casualties have been reported due to the eruption.

Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes, more than any other country. Sinabung was inactive for around 400 years before it erupted in 2010, 2014 and February 2018. Since then it has become one of Southeast Asian nation’s most active volcanoes. Mount Sinabung is a Pleistocene-to-Holocene stratovolcano located in North Sumatra. It is particularly prone to seismic activity due to its location on the Ring of Fire.

NCGG and Maldives Civil Services Commission sign MOU

National Center for Good Governance (NCGG) signed an MOU with Maldives Civil Services Commission building of 1000 Maldives civil servants for the next 5 years.

The agreement signed during the visit of the Prime Minister of India. It is the nodal institution for designing customized training modules and its implementation taking into account the requirements of the Civil Service Commission, Maldives. The program includes public administration, e-governance, service, public policy governance, information technology, best practices in fisheries across coastal areas, agro-based practices, self-help group initiatives, urban development and planning, ethics in administration and challenges in the implementation of SDGs.

NCGC is an autonomous institute under the aegis of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India. It’s head office is in New Delhi and registered office at Mussoorie. They planned to carry out policy-relevant research and prepare case studies; curate training courses for civil servants from India and other developing countries.

Singapore topped the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2019

Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking 2019 said Singapore has dethroned the US to become the most competitive economy in the world.

Hong Kong stands the second spot in the list. USA stands third followed by Switzerland and UAE and fourth and fifth respectively. Qatar entered the top 10. India ranked 43, one position higher compared to 2018.

The ranking process considers a wide range of hard statistics such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment and government spending on health and education. IMD also used the soft data from an executive Opinion Survey which covers other parameters such as social cohesion, globalization and corruption.

Mahindra Group Won Gold Award In South Africa

Mahindra Company has 60 dealers in South Africa secured top position out of which 29 vehicle brands surveyed for the awards.

They received the award from the country’s National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and resided at Africa for 16 years and they tested dealers satisfaction with the way a brand supports and communicated with them.

This Award is a welcome recognition of the team’s hard work in every aspect of dealer support knowing that happy dealer ultimately leads to a happy customer. It was established in 1945 as Mohammad & Mahindra and later renamed as Mahindra and Mahindra.

India to be guest country at Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico

India has been designated as the Guest of Honour at the 33rd Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (Guadalajara International Book Fair), in Mexico. The book fair, to be organised from November 30 – December 8, will be “the largest book fair in the Spanish speaking world.

The dedicated India pavilion at the fair will showcase over 35 Indian authors and artists, along with 15 publishing houses.

“India will display a wide array of its rich and composite literary and cultural heritage through literary and academic activities comprising conferences, publishers’ round table, and discussions and presentations on science and other genres. Ancient and rare manuscripts including “Mahabharata” and ”Ramayana” will be put on exhibition, along with photo books, handicrafts and paintings.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 10

Jammu and Kashmir government removed Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Bank Chairman Parvez Ahmad.

The Jammu and Kashmir government removed J&K Bank Chairman Parvez Ahmad and appointed R K Chhibber as interim chairman of the lender. It added that R K Chhibber has been appointed as the interim chairman and director on the board of directors. Chibber will replace Ahmad, who was appointed in 2016 as the chairman of the bank.

Jammu and Kashmir Bank decided to take long term measures to improve the functioning of the bank and it becomes a shining example of a well managed government-owned bank.

Last year the Governor-led State Administrative Council (SAC) approved the proposal for treating Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited as a public sector undertaking (PSU) and to make it to the state legislature from its employees.

Maldives to confer its highest award Nishan Izzuddin on Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Shri Narendra Modi is conferred with Maldives highest award ‘Nishan Izzuddin’. The main aim of the visit is to further cement ties with the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi and President Solih held delegation-level talks as the two countries signed a slew of agreements to strengthen bilateral ties in a number of key areas including defence. The Maldives is a key to its Maritime Silk Road project in the Indian Ocean acquired Hambantota port in Sri Lanka and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

Indian Government offered the Maldives a line of credit 800 million us dollars and three important projects have already been identified and the project report preparation is underway.  

Sri Lankan Airlines named world’s most punctual air service for second consecutive time

SriLankan Airlines named as the ‘World’s Most Punctual Airline’ for the second consecutive time with over 90 percent of its flights in May.

This status was achieved for the second time in less than 12 months. They achieved a punctuality rating of 91.37 percent reports Xinhua news agency.

Flight stats analyzed 41 carriers data from Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and South America and includes most of the world’s most prestigious airlines.

The punctuality rating of 90.75% by SriLankan Airlines in May 2019 facing challenges caused by heightened security at airline’s hub at Bandaranaike International Airport (in Sri Lanka capital Colombo).

Reserve Bank of India imposed 2 crore penalty on Kotak Mahindra Bank

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of ₹2 crore on Kotak Mahindra Bank for not furnishing information about the dilution of promoter shareholding. The penalty imposed in exercise of powers vested in it under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

It is mainly based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance It is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank. The bank failed to comply and a show cause notice was issued to the bank as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the said directions.

Uday Kotak recently told the Bombay High Court he was in full compliance of the RBI rules and the regulator had never communicated to the promoters on the matter of shareholding.

India partners with Portugal to set up a national maritime heritage museum at Lothal

India has partnered with Portugal to set up a national maritime heritage museum at Lothal in Gujarat.

The Indian Navy will be the stakeholder in the project and the Portuguese Navy will assist as they have experience in it by administering the maritime museum in Lisbon, Portugal. India is to follow a similar model of the maritime museum.

A maritime museum is a museum that specializes in display the objects relating to ships and travel on large bodies of water. A subcategory of maritime museums are naval museums, which focus on navies and the military use of the sea.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the event of #YogaDay2019 at Ranchi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga 2019 celebrations to be held in Ranchi on June 21. Around 30,000 people are expected to participate in the main event. This function will attend to by several State Dignitaries, besides the Yoga Organisations and Yoga Gurus.

Ministry of AYUSH planned every year observation of the International Day of Yoga across the country. The ministry successfully organized several programs during the last four years in connection with the International Day of Yoga.

Nearly two-minute long video shows a 3D-animated version of the prime minister performing the Ardha Chakrasana or the Half Moon Pose in a spacious room as a voiceover will guide viewers through a step-by-step procedure of the yoga.

Union Cabinet approves the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Siddhi Scheme

Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Siddhi Scheme. It will cost over Rs.87,000 crore a year to the exchequer. The government has announced its decision to extend the benefit of Rs.6,000 per year under the PM-KISAN scheme to all 14.5 crore farmers in the country, irrespective of the size of their landholding.

The scheme was launched on 24th February 2019 in the run-up to the 2019 Parliamentary elections in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh where the first rounds of instalments were paid to several farmers.

The government so far distributed the first instalment to 3.11 crore beneficiaries and second instalment to 2.66 crore beneficiaries into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 08 & 09

Wipro to acquire US International TechneGroup for 312 crore

IT major Wipro it will acquire US-based International TechneGroup Incorporated for $45 million (around ₹312 crore).

International TechneGroup Incorporated (ITI) provides Computer Aided Design and Product Lifecycle Management interoperability software services. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Ohio, USA, ITI has offices in the UK, Italy, Israel and Germany.

ITI is privately held and has 130 employees as of March 2019. Its revenue stood at $ 23.2 million in FY’18 (year ending June 30). The acquisition complements Wipro’s core strengths in Industry 4.0 and will allow Wipro to offer end-to-end solutions in Digital Engineering and Manufacturing. ITI’s offerings and solutions will be consolidated as a part of Wipro’s industrial and engineering services business and will function as a wholly-owned US subsidiary of the company.

Lt Gen PJS Pannu designated as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (operation)

Lt Gen PJS Pannu takes over as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) from Air Marshal Rajeev Sachdeva on June 1.He is currently posted as Deputy Chief Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine Organisation and Training).

The General Officer is an alumnus of Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into 22nd Battalion, The Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) on December 13, 1980, and commanded the battalion from May 1999 to February 2001 in Uri Sector (Jammu and Kashmir) during Operation VIJAY.

General Officer an instructor in the prestigious Indian Military Academy. He has also held important appointments in various Formation Headquarters and Army Headquarters. He has commanded an Infantry Brigade in Kashmir Valley, has been Commandant of MLI Regimental Centre, commanded an infantry division in the North East. General Officer served as ADG MO and DG Infantry before taking over a prestigious Corps in the Northern Command.

ICICI Bank launches centre for MSMEs in Bengaluru

ICICI Bank launched a centre in Bengaluru to provide business solutions exclusively to start-ups and MSME sector. ICICI Bank along with Viral Rupani, Retail Business Head South, ICICI Bank inaugurated the centre.

The services offered include working capital loans up to ₹20 crore, business loans (based on GST returns) up to ₹1 crore, instant overdraft facility of ₹15 lakh, extensive trade solutions and cash management services, among others.

The centre has a legal and valuation desk to assist customers in resolving challenges pertaining to collaterals offered for various loans.

Karnataka government has launched Pink Sarathi vehicles for women’s safety

Karnataka government has launched ‘Pink Sarathi’ vehicles that are procured by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). It was launched by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. BMTC will use the vehicles to attend to the grievances of women passengers in city buses.

BMTC had received Rs.56.07 crore from the Centre under the Nirbhaya scheme. It has also taken up various measures for the safety of women passengers, including the launch of Pink Sarathi vehicles. The BMTC now has a fleet of 25 Pink Sarathi vehicles fitted with GPS and public announcement systems.

The safety of female passengers will be a priority. It will also take on other tasks such as manning traffic movement at bus bays making sure that drivers stop at the designated stops, taking action against bus crew when they fail to close the door once the vehicle is in motion, and ensuring that men are not occupying seats reserved for women.

India to buy 100 more SPICE bombs, signed Rs 300 crore deal with Israel

The Indian Air Force signed a deal with Israel to buy more than 100 SPICE  2000 bombs, worth around Rs 300 crore.

SPICE bombs were used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to attack the madrasa of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26, in response to the terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama which resulted in the martyrdom of 40 CRPF personnel.

SPICE bomb has a standoff range of 60 kilometres. They are manufactured by Israeli defence firm Rafael Advanced Defence Systems

Justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel Takes Oath As New CJI Of Delhi High Court

Justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel sworn in as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. Lt Governor Anil Baijal administered the oath of office to Justice Patel at a function held at Raj Niwas.

Earlier, Justice Patel was posted at the Jharkhand High Court. Supreme Court Collegium recommended his name for the appointment as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court

Justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel is an Indian Judge. He is Chief Justice of Delhi High Court. He is former Acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court and Judge of Gujarat High Court.

World Oceans Day is celebrated on 8th June

World Oceans Day is celebrated on 8th June every year. The day was declared in 2008. June 8 was marked as it marks the day when it was first proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit, UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Conference supported the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The theme for the year 2019 is Gender and Oceans.

The theme is to build greater ocean and gender literacy and to discover possible ways to promote gender equality in ocean-related activities such as marine scientific research, fisheries, labour at sea, migration by sea and human trafficking, as well as policy-making and management.

I&B Ministry institutes award for media for popularising Yoga

To encourage deeper involvement of the media in propagating Yoga, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has instituted an award, which will be given for the first time after the international Yoga Day on June 21.

Named Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman (AYDMS), the award will be given to 33 media organisations, 11 each for the Print media, Radio and TV in English all Indian languages recognised by the Constitution. Yoga has been universally acknowledged by the United Nations and is now practised globally around  200 countries on 21st June every year.

The Samman will comprise of a special medal/plaque/trophy and a citation. The duration of the coverage for AYDMS would be from 10th June to 25th June 2019. A six-member jury will assess the contribution of Media in popularising of Yoga would be assessed by 6 Juries.

World Food Safety Day 2019

The world had geared up to celebrate the first-ever World Food Safety Day on June 7. First adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018 and according to WHO, pursues efforts to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally. The very first theme for World Food Safety Day is “Food Safety, everyone’s business.”

The World Food Safety Day comes close in the heels of a news report that went viral, showcasing a street food vendor from Mumbai who was seen using tap water from Borivali Railway Station toilet to prepare food. Following which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an investigation and subsequently issued a public warning against using such water, which could be contaminated.

According to WHO one of the keys towards sustaining life and promoting good health is to have “sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food.” They further added that foodborne diseases impede socioeconomic development by straining health care systems and harming national economies, tourism and trade. WHO data points out that almost 1 in 10 people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food and food safety is an increasing threat to human health.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 07

India Test Fires Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile From Chandipur in Odisha

Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos was test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. It is the World’s fastest supersonic cruise missile with a high rate of accuracy. The missile can be fired from land, sea, and air.

The missile with a strike range of around 290 km is a strategic asset for India which acts as a deterrence against any possible threats from China and Pakistan.

BrahMos is a joint venture between the DRDO and the NPOM(a Russian military technology firm) of Russia.BrahMos operationalized in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.

India ranks 95 in the Sustainable Development Goals Gender Index

India ranked 95th out of 129 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals Gender Index. India’s score is 56.2 on a scale of 0–100. The index found that no country has fully achieved te gender equality and that the global average score of 65.7 out of 100 which falls in the poor category.

SDG Gender Index a new index that measures global gender equality considering various parameters such as education, literacy, political representation, poverty, health, and equality at the workplace.

India’s highest goal scores in the Index are on SDG 3 of health where it secured 79.9, SDG 2 of hunger and nutrition with 76.2 and SDG 7 of energy with 71.8.

Mumbai ranked first among 403 global cities in Traffic Index 2018 study

An analysis of traffic congestion done in more 400 cities across six continents has found that commuters in Mumbai spent the most time on the road last year. Mumbai ranked first in the study, ‘Traffic Index-2018’, by location technology specialist TomTom, with a congestion level of 65 per cent

New Delhi ranked fourth with congestion of 58 per cent. Mumbai held on to the top rank for the second consecutive year, beat Bogota (63 per cent), Lima (58 per cent) and Moscow (56 per cent).

The best time in Mumbai without any congestion would be 2 am and 5 am, when traffic flowed freely. The peak hours between 8 am and 10 have resulted in congestion of 80 per cent, which shot up to 102 per cent between 5 pm and 8 pm when offices shut for the day.

Rajnath Singh to chair the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is to chair the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs in the second term of the NDA government. Decisions on all the parliament matters will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

He was made a member of Cabinet Committee on Security and Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development. He is also a part of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, the all-important panel on political affairs which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All important political decisions in the ruling dispensation will be taken by the panel.

Apart from these 4 committees, he is also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). In total, he is now a part of six key panels of the government.

Bihar government has announced to waive off 50% of the total taxes levied on e rickshaws

The Bihar State government has announced to waive off 50% of the total taxes levied on the purchase and running of battery-propelled e-rickshaws.

The announcement was made by the deputy chief minister of state Sushil Kumar Modi. The move is to combat air pollution. 3 cities of Bihar namely Patna, Gaya and Muzaffarpur are placed among the most 20 polluted cities of the world in a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Seven departments of the state government have collectively prepared an integrated action plan to tackle the menace of pollution in the polluted cities of Bihar.

Ashok Leyland ties up with Suryoday Small Finance Bank for vehicle loans

Ashok Leyland has partnered with Suryoday Small Finance Bank for vehicle loans. The two partners have signed an initial agreement to enter a strategic financing partnership for three years

Under the agreement, the bank will provide end-to-end financial solutions to Ashok Leyland’s customers for auto loans across India.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank will benefit its customers with financial products and with a hassle-free experience.

Delhi Metro Station becomes India’s first project to receive power from waste-to-energy

Delhi Metro became the first ever project in the country to receive power generated from a waste-to-energy plant. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) receiving 2 MW power from a 12 MW capacity waste-to-energy plant set up in Ghazipur.

It is being utilized at the Vinod Nagar Receiving Substation for meeting the operational requirements of Pink Line of Delhi Metro. It will take approximately 17.5 million units per annum from this plant. It is set up by East Delhi Waste Processing Company Limited (EDWPCL)

It is based on a Public Private Partnership involving the Delhi government and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). DMRC produces 28 MW of solar power from the various rooftop solar power plants which have been set up in its stations, depots and residential premises.

Net Banking gets cheaper; RBI removes charges on RTGS & NEFT; sets up Committee on ATM charges

The Reserve Bank of India has done away with the charges levied on fund transfers through RTGS and NEFT. The central has also asked the banks to pass on the benefits to customers, a move that will boost digital transactions. The decision was announced by the RBI as part of its measures to deepen and broaden the financial markets.

At present, RBI levies minimum charges on banks for RTGS and NEFT transactions of fund transfers and Banks, in turn, levy charges on their customers for the same. While doing away with the charges, RBI instructed the Banks to pass these benefits onto their customers.

Banks charge Re 1 to Rs 5 for transfer of funds through NEFT, and Rs 5 to Rs 50 through RTGS, depending on the quantum of the transaction. The banks would now either reduce these charges down substantially or could even make it completely free.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 05 & 06

Sundar Pichai, Adena Friedman receive 2019 Global Leadership Award

Google’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai and Nasdaq President Adena Friedman selected for Global Leadership Awards 2019 by business advocacy group USIBC.

They both are recognized for their companies contribution as the leading technology-driven platforms Washington-based US-India Business Council (USIBC) gives this award for achievements in over 30 categories for talented people who are recognized for their work by their companies.

The award will be given in ‘India Ideas Summit’ next week. Google and Nasdaq at the vanguard, bilateral trade in goods and services grew by nearly 150% over the past five years to touch $142.1 billion in 2018.

Nirmala Sitharaman to attend G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Japan

Finance Minister Shri Nirmala Sitharaman will attend the two-day meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors in Japan on June 8 and 9.

It is the first overseas visit of Sitharaman as the Finance Minister. The main aim is to focus on the risks and challenges of overseas trade and investment in infrastructure which are faced by our country.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) submit a report on taxation, urging greater cooperation among nations. India actively participating in the OECD-G20 efforts to create a global consensus on the taxation of the digital economy.

RBI approved the appointment of Rakesh Makhija as chairman of Axis Bank

Rakesh Makhija, the independent director was appointed as the non-executive (part-time) chairman of the bank, for a period of 3 years, with effect from July 18, 2019, up to July 17, 2022.

In March, the board of the Axis bank had approved the appointment of Rakesh Makhija as chairman subject to RBI clearance.

Rakesh Makhija has held a number of top management positions within the SKF Group. Prior to joining SKF, he was the chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Honeywell Ltd.

Bank Fraud touched unprecedented Rs 71,500 Crore in 2018-19: RBI

The Reserve Bank of India has revealed that over 6,800 cases of bank fraud involving an unprecedented ₹71,500 crore were reported in 2018-19. This is 74% higher than the amount involved in 5,916 such cases reported in 2017-18.

Anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) made an analysis and reported on top 100 frauds. The bank frauds were categorised and analysed for 13 sectors, including gem and jewellery, manufacturing and industry, agriculture, media, aviation, service and project, discounting of cheques, trading, information technology, export business, fixed deposits, demand loan and letter of comfort.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are also probing big-ticket bank fraud cases. In 2018, CBI booked former Aircel promoter C Sivasankaran, in connection with an Rs 600-crore loan fraud in the IDBI.

Indian Navy deployed P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft for anti-piracy

Indian Navy deployed its P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft for anti-piracy sorties from Salalah in Oman to patrol the Gulf of Aden. This is the second time the P-8I is operated from Salalah for anti-piracy in 2019. It was operated from there first January. It is an expansion of its Mission Based Deployments (MBD) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The P-8I provides long-range Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The P8I is long-range anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft are capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. India had placed orders for 12 P-8 India maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare from the US under a USD 2.2 billion dollar deal in 2012. Also, the country had ordered four more planes to carry out extensive surveillance of the Indian Ocean region and the country’s exclusive economic zone. India has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the commercially crucial Gulf of Aden, since 2008.

The anti-piracy patrols have been escorting Indian flagged vessels and ships of other countries have also been provided protection. The Indian Navy has escorted 3,440 ships, of which 3,027 were of the foreign flag and 413 Indian flags, till date. The Navy now maintains a ship at every choke point in the IOR at any point of time under the MBD concept.

Yoga Mahotsav organized in New Delhi

A Two-day Yoga Mahotsava, a Curtain Raiser for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2019 was organized in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by the Vice-Chairman, NITI AAYOG Rajeev Kumar.

The Yoga Mahotsav-2019 was organized by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) under Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). This is to sensitize the masses for the celebration of IDY 2019.

On this occasion Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha announced two Applications related to International Day of Yoga 2019. One is Yoga Locator, which is specially designed for IDY to record and show Yoga events across the world and another is Bhuvan App which provides geo time location and documentation during IDY 2019. Bhuvan App has been designed in collaboration with ISRO.

Flipkart co-founder joins Ujjivan Small Finance Bank as Director

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank appointed Flipkart founder Sachin Bansal as its independent director.

This is the second big futuristic move by Ujjivan management after it roped in HDFC Bank’s digital banking head Nitin Chugh as its next chief executive.

The company was founded on 1 February 2017 by Samit Ghosh. It is headquartered in Bangalore.

Tripura to host 10th National Science Film Festival of India in 2020

The10th National Science Film Festival of India (NSFFI) organized in Tripura in January and February 2020. The NSF debuted in Chennai eight years ago in 2011.

It covered almost all regions of the country since then including Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Bangalore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Guwahati and Mohali. This the second time the show will be held in a Northeastern city.

National Science Film Festival and Competition (Rashtriya Vigyan Chalchitra Mela) is organised by Vigyan Prasar.

RBI cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps, cuts GDP Growth rate, revises inflation target upwards

Today, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Second Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2019-20 after assessing the current and evolving macroeconomic situation in the economy.

In its bi-monthly policy, the six members Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. They decided to reduce the policy Repo Rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) to 5.75 percent from 6 percent. The Reverse Repo Rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 5.50 percent. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate also stands at 6 percent. The monetary policy stance changed from neutral to accommodative.

RBI revises GDP growth for the year 2020 downwards to 7 percent from 7.2 percent predicted earlier. The Bank expects GDP growth of 6.4-6.7 percent in the first half of FY20 and 7.2-7.5 percent in the second half of the fiscal year.

World Environment Day

Since its inception in 1974, World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 in more than 100 countries. The World Environment Day provides an opportunity to broaden the “basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment,” according to the United Nations.

Every year, the World Environment Day is organized around a theme in order to draw attention towards pressing environmental issues.‘Beat Air Pollution’, the theme for World Environment Day 2019, is a call for action call to combat the global crisis and has been chosen by this year’s host, China

The topic invites people to consider how they can change their everyday lives to reduce the amount of air pollution and thwart its contribution to global warming and its effects on health, according to the global body.

Google Maps launches India-first features; commuters can now check live bus & train status

Google Maps users will now see bus travel times from live traffic across 10 major cities as well as get live train status for trains on the platform. Also, another feature that is being introduced will combine suggestions of auto-rickshaw and public transport for users. These “India-first features” will allow users to plan public transport trips quickly and easily. As part of its efforts to simplify travel, Google Maps will allow users to view bus travel times based on live traffic.

The feature uses Google’s live traffic data and public bus schedules to calculate delays and provide accurate travel times. It is now live in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore, and Surat.

Google Maps will also help users know when their train is going to arrive by indicating the real-time live running status. With mixed-mode directions results now including auto-rickshaws, users will be shown the indicative duration of the journey, and which station they should take an auto-rickshaw to and from. The user can also see the rickshaw meter estimate and departure times for their transit connection. This feature will be available for Delhi and Bangalore initially before rolling out to more cities later.

AAI in pact with Boeing for modernising India’s air traffic management

Boeing said Tuesday that it has signed a technical assistance agreement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to jointly develop a comprehensive 10-year roadmap for modernising air traffic management in India.

The roadmap is expected to be developed within 18 months and it will be undertaken with a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Boeing said in a statement. The AAI owns and manages around 125 airports across the country.

This objective of the agreement is to develop a roadmap for AAI to use as guidance in the modernization of the Indian National Airspace System (NAS) based on global and local best practices to optimally utilize airspace capacity, enhance communications and invest in navigation, surveillance and air traffic management As part of the project, Boeing said it will also work closely with Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airlines operating in India, airport operators and other airspace stakeholders like the US-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP).

‘Cyclone Man’ Mrutyunjay Mohapatra appointed as chief of Indian Meteorological Department

Renowned scientist and cyclone warning specialist Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was appointed as the chief of India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Mohapatra and his team at the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD have earned praise for their accurate forecasts on cyclones, its wind-speed and likely impact on life and property including during the recent cyclone ‘Fani’, when their timely warnings enabled the authorities to ensure early evacuation of millions of people.

The 54-year-old Scientist ‘G’ and Additional Director General in the IMD has been appointed as Director General of Meteorology, IMD, for a period of five years, the order said. He will assume charge in August.

Tamil Nadu gets $287 million loan from World Bank for Healthcare Reform

Tamil Nadu Government(GoTN) and the World Bank signed a $287-million loan agreement for the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Programme (TNHSRP).

The main aim to improve the quality of healthcare and to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and fill equity gaps in reproductive and child health services in the State.

TNHSRP will promote population-based screening, treatment, and follow-up for NCDs, and improve monitoring and evaluation. The patients will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to self-manage their conditions. It will improve in-hospital care, strengthen protocols, strengthen the 24×7 trauma care services and establish a trauma registry.

Disability Summit, Argentina 2019 is being held Buenos Aires, Argentina

The 2nd Global Disability Summit being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ‘Disability Summit, Argentina 2019’, the three-day summit will be held from 6 June to 8 June 2019. India will be represented by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot.

The Global Disability Summit is organized by International Alliance Disability (IDA), an umbrella organization focused on improving awareness and rights for individuals with disabilities around the globe which was established in 1999, and Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families (RIADIS).

The summit will be focusing on deliberating issues across the world concerning empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. The summit will also include a discussion to work out a mechanism for enabling them to live an independent and dignified life.

India and France to carry out Garuda, a two-week long mega air exercise

Indian Air Force and French Air Force have planned to carry out Garuda, a two-week-long mega air exercise, beginning on July 1 in France. The aim is to boost the military-to-military ties between the two countries. A fleet of Sukhoi 30 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will engage in dogfights with France’s Rafale multirole aircraft in simulated scenarios as part of the ‘Garuda’ exercise.

Other assets include mid-air refueller will also be sent to France by the IAF. It will be one of the largest air exercises between the two strategic partners. The exercise will also provide an opportunity to a sizeable number of IAF pilots to have a close look at the Rafale jets being operated by the French Air Force.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about Rs.58,000-crore. The first Rafale jet is scheduled to be delivered in September.

10 per cent decline in the approval rate of H 1B visa by the US: Report

US authorities said that there was a sharp 10% decline in the approval of H-1B visas by the U.S. in 2018, which is popular among highly skilled Indian IT professionals. The experts attributed to the aggressive policies of the Trump administration to clamp down on the use of the work visa programme.

In 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 3,35,000 H-1B visas, both new and renewable. This was 10% less than the 3,73,400 visas approved in the previous fiscal year of 2017, according to the USCIS’ annual statistical report. The approval rate of H-1B declined from 93% in 2017 to 85% in 2018.

For the first six months of the fiscal year 2019, the overall approval rate of the H-1B visa for new and continuing visas continued to stay to 79% by the end of March, down from 85% last year.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 04

Satish Chandra Verma appointed as Advocate General of Chhattisgarh

Government of Chhattisgarh appointment Satish Chandra Verma as its new Advocate General (AG).

He was previously working as Additional Advocate General.

He replaced Kanak Tiwari.

Rajasthan government increases financial aid given to girls under ‘Aapki Beti’ scheme

Rajasthan government increased the financial assistance given to school girls under the ‘Aapki Beti’ scheme and ex-gratia payment to the families of polling personnel who die during election duty.

Under the Aapki Beti scheme, girls living under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and whose mother or father or both have died to get annual financial assistance in the state.

The amount has been increased to 2,100 from Rs 1,100 for the girls studying in class 1 to 8 and for the girls in class 9 to 12, the financial aid has been increased to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,500. Similarly, the government has also increased ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of an officer killed on election duty to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 15 lakh.

Two-wheeler loan named ‘Sabse Khaas Loan’ launched by L&T Finance

Indian multinational conglomerate, L&T Finance, a subsidiary of L&T Finance Holdings, launched ‘Sabse Khaas Loan’ for two-wheeler customers.

This scheme provides burden-free and low-cost finance for two-wheelers eliminates the need for hypothecation of the vehicle to the financier over the tenure of the loan.

The Borrowers can choose 3 different EMI periods- 6, 12 and 18 months with the interest rates between 7.99 percent and 8.99 percent.

RBI initiated Financial Literacy Week 2019 is observed from 3 to 7 June

Financial Literacy Week 2019 is being observed from 3 June to 7 June. It is an annual initiative by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to promote awareness of key topics through a focused campaign.

The theme of Financial Literacy Week 2019 is ‘Farmers’. The FL Week would focus on farmers as the target group with the primary theme being “responsible borrowing and agricultural finance”. It also focuses on how they can benefit from being a part of the formal banking system.

The aim of the initiative is to create awareness about financial products and services, good financial practices, going digital and consumer protection.

Europe’s highest volcano Mount Etna erupted

Mount Etna, Europe’s Highest Volcano and one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted spitting molten lava high into the sky. It is located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania. This is 2019’s first eruption as the volcano on the island of Sicily as the Mount last erupted on  24 December 2018.

The eruption did not affect the nearby residential areas or for flights at the closest airport at Catania. Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy. A stratovolcano is a conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and ash. The stratovolcano is also known as a composite volcano.

The United Nations has designated Mt. Etna as a Decade Volcano. In June 2013, it was added to the list of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites.

AYUSH Ministry launches an app to help people locate yoga centres, instructors

International yoga day celebrated on June 21, the ministry of AYUSH launched”yoga locator” an app to locate yoga events and centres providing training and instructor within the user’s range.

It is a map-based application which allows the instructor to register themselves and work accordingly with the usage.

An international day for yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly. The International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 every year. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice originated in India.

Brand Veeba foods appoint Shah Rukh Khan as its brand Ambassador for its new brand “V-Nourish”

Popular consumer brand, Veeba foods make inroads into a nutrition segment with its new brand V- Nourish which is a nutrition supplement for kids above 5 years. They have appointed Shah Rukh Khan as it’s Brand Ambassador.

Veeba is one of the leading Condiments & Sauce company in India.

The main focus on Quality, Innovation and ‘Better for You’ products have helped us stand out in a very cluttered retail market.

Modi 2.0 scheme to create more Greener Roads across India

Modi 2.0 a scheme which is carried out taking more innovative and constructive decisions and finally started to craft in cabinet meetings. The government is the most efficient and performance driven ministry is transport and road ministry.

Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari roads greener across and the main aim is to impart a major ‘green’ boost to even bigger infrastructure building targets. They set to plant 125 crore trees along the national highways which is equal to the total population of the nation.

This initiative is also designed to benefit greatly to the environment. The estimated project completion will be around 3 years.  

Telangana Government enhanced Rythu Bandhu scheme

Telangana government released Rs 6,900 crore for the Rythu Bandhu scheme for Kharif season. The government enhanced the Rythu Bandhu scheme Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per acre and decided to release funds in the view of ensuing Kharif season.

Rythu Bandhu scheme also Farmers’ Investment Support Scheme (FISS) is a welfare program to support farmer’s investment for two crops a year by the Government of Telangana.

The government is providing 58.33 lakh farmers, ₹4000 per acre per season to support the farm investment, twice a year, for rabi and kharif seasons. This is a first direct farmer investment support scheme in India. The scheme was announced by the Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Farmers Coordination Committee (Rythu Samanvaya Samiti) conference at Jayashankar Agriculture University on 25 February 2018.

Ajit Doval re-appointed as National Security Adviser

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has been re-appointed to the post for another five years. Ajit Doval has also been given Cabinet Rank for contribution to national security.

NSA Ajit Doval’s quality of work in his previous term has earned him the Cabinet rank in Modi Government 2.0, as per government sources. Previously, Doval was placed in the Minister of State rank.

Ajit Doval, the 74-year-old previously served as the Director of India’s Intelligence Bureau(IB). Prior to that, he had served as the head of its operation wing for over a decade. He took up the role as India’s National Security Adviser in 2014 after retirement from IB. He was appointed after Narendra Modi-led government swept the centre in Lok Sabha Elections 2014.

Delhi Metro, bus rides to be free for women, announces CM Arvind Kejriwal

In a major step, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced free of cost Delhi Metro and DTC bus rides for women. The announcement comes when less than 9 months are remaining for the Delhi state assembly elections, which are due early in 2020.

The Chief Minister made the announcement of the free ride scheme during a press conference in Delhi on June 3, 2019. As per the announcement, the expenses of the free metro and bus rides will be borne by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.  The scheme is expected to cost the Delhi government Rs 700 crore this year.

The main objective of providing free Delhi Metro and DTC rides is to ensure safe travel experience for women in the capital city.

Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft goes missing

Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft AN-32 that took off from Assam’s Jorhat with 13 people on board on June 03, 2019 has gone missing over hilly terrain in the Northeast.

The Antonov AN-32 aircraft took off at 12:27 pm for a remote military landing strip in Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh but lost signal within minutes. A search operation was launched to find out missing aircraft. The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the state disaster relief force joined the search along with planes and helicopters.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also looking into this matter. On the other hand, Indian Air Force said on twitter handle that some reports of possible location of the crash site were identified, however, no wreckage has been found.

Nilekani panel suggests 24×7 RTGS, NEFT, elimination of all charges

Nandan Nilekani committee has given some suggestions to promote digital payments in India. Nilekani panel suggested that RTGS and NEFT facility should be available 24×7.

Also, it recommends duty-free import of point of sales machines. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was appointed this committee last month and it had submitted its recommendations to Governor Shaktikanta Das.

RBI and the government should put in place an appropriate mechanism to monitor the digital payment systems and make aggregated information based on blocks, and PIN code, available to all players on a monthly basis, so that they can make the necessary adjustments.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 03

ONGC becomes India’s most profitable public sector company

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), India’s top oil and gas producer, has toppled Indian Oil Corp (IOC) to regain the crown of being the country’s most profitable public sector company.

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) reported a 34% jump in its 2018- 19 fiscal net profit to Rs.26,716 crore. Whereas, IOC registered a net profit of Rs.17.274 crore for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

ONGC, in the previous two financial years, had lost the most profitable PSU tag to IOC. With its refining margins under pressure due to falling oil prices, IOC had also lost the title of being India’s largest company by turnover tag to billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries in FY19.  Reliance has been India’s most profitable company for the fourth year in a row.

Telangana State Formation Day celebrated on 2nd June

Telangana was formed on 2nd June in 2014 following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. A number of cultural events, sports, and social events lined up in the state as part of the celebration. The celebrations are held in all the 30 districts of the state.

Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the first chief minister of Telangana, following elections in which the Telangana Rashtra Samithi party secured a majority.

On 1 July 2013, the Congress Working Committee unanimously passed a resolution to recommend the formation of a separate Telangana state. After various stages, the bill was placed in the Parliament of India in February 2014.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hikes National Defence Fund scholarship assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved changes to the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme forwards of deceased defence personnel under the National Defence Fund.

The quota of new scholarships for children of state police officials will be rs 500 in a year. The rates of scholarship have also been increased from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 2500 per month for boys and from Rs. 2250 per month to Rs. 3000 per month for girls.

Under the scheme, every year new scholarships are given for 5500 wards of armed forces controlled by the Ministry of Defence, for 2000 wards of paramilitary forces controlled by the Ministry of Home Affairs and for 150 wards of forces controlled by Ministry of Railways.

Assam govt hikes parental income limit under fee waiver to Rs 2 Lakhs

Assam government have decided to increase the fee waiver limit. The parent’s annual income for a fee waiver has been increased from Rs 1 Lakh to Rs 2 Lakh. Parents earning up to 2 lakhs will be able to get a fee waiver for post graduation course.

This was announced by Assam education minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya. This scheme does not cover private colleges and universities in Assam. Children of parents working in state and central government are not eligible.

Siddhartha Bhattacharya is a politician from the state of Assam. He is a Cabinet Minister of Education of Assam and a Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from Bharatiya Janata Party.

KVB to form a venture with Centrum Wealth to provide wealth management services

Karur Vysya Bank Ltd (KVB) partnered with Centrum Wealth Management Ltd(Centrum) to form private limited Joint Venture to provide wealth management services to its clients.

KVB will hold 51% of the share capital, Centrum will hold 45% and the remaining 4% will be held by the JV’s Staff. There will be 5 Board of Directors, of which 3 will be from the bank. ii. Centrum Wealth Management is a unit of Centrum Capital Ltd.

Karur Vysya Bank is an Indian 100 years completed bank and is one of the leading banks in India, headquartered in Karur in Tamil Nadu.It was set up in 1916 by M. A. Venkatarama Chettiar and Athi Krishna Chettiar. The bank primarily operates in the treasury, corporate/wholesale banking and retail banking segments.

SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh elected to IATA board

SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh is elected to the board of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), less than three months after the airline joined the global grouping.

Founder and former chairman of the now grounded Jet Airways Naresh Goyal, who was associated with the IATA for a long time, was a member on the previous board. The new board of the global airlines’ grouping would be chaired by Lufthansa Group Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr, who took charge after the conclusion of the IATA annual general meeting at Seoul, South Korea.

Spohr will be the Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG) for a one-year term. Other board members include Air Canada President and CEO Calin Rovinescu, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker.In March, SpiceJet became the first Indian low-cost carrier to take membership of the IATA, a grouping of around 290 airlines.

June 3 is celebrated as the World Bicycle Day across the globe

In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 3 June as International World Bicycle Day. The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognizes the uniqueness, longevity, and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation.

2019 will be the second year when it will be celebrated after the UN General Assembly declared it in 2018 to acknowledge the uniqueness, longevity and the importance of the bicycle which is a simple, affordable, reliable and an environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

The day aims to promote the use of bicycles as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health and tolerance, preventing disease, mutual understanding and respect, facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.

Current Affairs June 2019 | June 01 & 02

PepsiCo to build Rs 500 crore food plant in Uttar Pradesh

PepsiCo India will invest nearly ₹500 crore to build a food manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh. It will invest $2.1 bn in India by 2022, which is part of the $5.5 bn it had promised in November 2013.

It is part of PepsiCo’s efforts to expand capacity in India’s growing packaged foods market. The makers of Lay’s chips and Kurkure snacks, PepsiCo will invest along with its local bottling partner.

PepsiCo, which sells Tropicana, 7Up, Mountain Dew and Kurkure chips, among others, services the domestic market through 62 food and beverage plants. The bottling operations are owned by its local partner Varun Beverages. The packaged snacks and foods market in India is expected to grow  22.3% between 2018 and 2022.

Cabinet approves Rs 3,000 pension scheme for small shopkeepers, retail traders

The newly-inducted Union Cabinet approved a new scheme which assures minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 per month to small shopkeepers, retail traders and the self-employed people after attaining the age of 60 years.

This is being done as part of the Modi government’s efforts to offer universal social security.

The scheme will benefit three crore, retail traders and shopkeepers. Five crore traders are expected to join the scheme in the next three years.

Govt extends PM-KISAN scheme, announces Rs 6,000 cash handout scheme to all farmers

In the first Cabinet meeting, Modi led new government decided to extend PM- KISAN scheme to all 14.5 crore farmers in the country costing Rs 87,000 crore a year and also announced over Rs 10,000 crore pension scheme for 5 crore farmers, thereby fulfilling the BJP’s poll promise.

The Rs 75,000-crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Siddhi (PMKSS – PM Kisan) was announced in the interim Budget under which the government decided to provide Rs 6,000 per year (in three equal instalments) to an estimated 12.5 crore small and marginal farmers holding land up to 2 hectares.

Now, the revised scheme envisages covering around 2 crores more farmers increasing the coverage of the PM- KISAN to around 14.5 crore beneficiaries.

Punjab to ban online delivery of food without hygiene rating as per FSSAI guidelines

Punjab State government plans to ban online delivery of food without hygiene rating as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines. The announcement was made by the Health Minister Brahm Mohindra announced on 30 May. The decision was taken under the ‘Tandurust Punjab Mission’.

Health Minister of the State Brahm Mohindra has issued directions to all online food order and supply companies to display the hygiene rating of the food business operators registered with them. The State has given three months for compliance with the law. After the deadline, no online food order will be delivered in the state without the hygiene rating.

The online food companies can take orders from consumers and deliver it after procuring the hygiene rating from the Food Business Operators associated with them. The online food order and door to door delivery mechanism of the food supply have created a physical disconnect between consumers and the food maker. Therefore, the onus of ensuring the quality of food and that conditions under which food is prepared are hygienic has shifted to the intermediate food delivery mechanism.

Former President  Pratibha Patil conferred the Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca award

Former Indian President Pratibha Patil has been conferred the “Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca” (Order of the Aztec Eagle), the highest civilian award of Mexico given to foreigners, on 1 June 2019.

The Ambassador of Mexico to India, Melba Pria, conferred the award on Patil, who created history as this country’s first woman President (2007-2012), at a special ceremony held in the MCCIA Bhavan, Pune.

Mexico’s highest distinction for foreigners is in recognition of their outstanding services to the Mexican nation or humanity, significant contributions to strengthening the bilateral relations between Mexico and other countries.Ms. Patil, 85, becomes only the second Indian head of state to get the award. Earlier, the late President S. Radhakrishna had been conferred this honour.

Anita Bhatia appointed as Deputy Executive Director in UN Women

Indian-origin Anita Bhatia, a veteran in strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and management, has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) for Resource Management, Sustainability, and Partnerships. The agency focussed on women empowerment and gender equality.

Bhatia has served for several years as Director of Global Partnerships for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private sector arm.

She has led diverse teams, including as Global Head of Knowledge Management, Head of Business Process Improvement and Head of Change Management. In addition to Latin America, she has worked in Africa, Europe, Central Asia and South and East Asia.

Forex reserve rises by 1.99 billion to 419.99 billion

India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by 1.994 billion to 419.992 billion US Dollar in the week ended 24th May 2019. RBI released that foreign currency assets rose by 1.991 billion to 392.188 billion US Dollar.

In the previous week, the reserves had declined by 2.05 billion to end at 417.99 billion US Dollar.  

Gold reserves remained stable at 23.021 billion US Dollar. India’s special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund went by 0.8 million to 1.445 billion US Dollar, while the country’s reserve position also increased by 2 million to 3.336 billion US Dollar.

India removes the restriction on air space usage

Indian Air Force (IAF)removed all temporary restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace.

The IAF had imposed restrictions following air strikes on a terror camp at Balakot in Pakistan on 27th February.

India imposed restrictions which did not allow any aircraft flying over Pakistan airspace to use entry or exit points into India. Since February 27, flights on these sectors were taking longer routes leading to an increase in flying time by up to three hours.

Astronomers discovered the Forbidden Planet NGTS- 4b in the Neptunian Desert

An international collaboration of astronomers with the University of Warwick, I-JK, have discovered an exoplanet, Next-Generation Transit Survey(NGTS)- 4b, the Forbidden Planet, in the Neptunian Desert.

It is smaller than Neptune but 3 times the size of the Earth. The Forbidden Planet with a mass of 20 Earth masses, radius 20% smaller than Neptune and temperature of 1000 degree Celsius, orbits around the star in only 1.3 days and its atmosphere as gases.

NGTS is situated at the European Southern Observatory Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert, Chile.

World Milk Day observed on 1 June

World Milk Day is a day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. It has been observed on June 1 each year since 2001.

The day is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector. The objective of the day is to provide information about the need and importance of milk in a human being’s life. To celebrate the contribution of milk and dairy products in several industries, the economy and people’s lives.

The World Milk Day event does not follow a specific theme in the world. Different countries, governments, and non-governmental organisations decide their own theme. The theme for World Milk Day 2019 in India is “Drink Milk: Today & Everyday”.

National Science Film Festival of India to be held in Agartala

10th National Science Film Festival of India(NSFFl) will be in Agartala, Tripura in January-February 2020. This is for the second time the event will be held in a North-Eastern city. It will be jointly hosted by Vigyan Prasar of the Central Government, State Government, and Tripura Central University.

Minimum 1 0 countries will participate in the upcoming event and it will include the films produced by UNICEF, UNESCO and filmmakers from different countries. In NSFFI, the maximum length of the films will be 40 minutes and Vigyan Prasar will raise awareness on science and environment to the society through cinemas.

NSFFI was first held in Chennai in 2011.  Besides this, the Tripura Government has plans to host ‘Destination Tripura’, a special competitive film production initiative. It will focus on upholding tourism and rich biodiversity of Tripura like the flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, water bodies, rubber and bamboo plantations

WHO says being transgender is not a mental disorder but a sexual health condition

The World Health Organization (WHO) will no longer categorise being transgender as a “mental disorder”. According to the newly-revised version of the International Classification of Diseases (known as ICD-11), published by the WHO, “gender identity disorders” have been reframed as “gender incongruence.” Gender incongruence has now been listed under sexual health conditions.

The change was brought in after a major resolution to amend the WHO health guidelines were approved earlier this week on May 25. In India, psychiatrists at an individual level have stopped treating transgender as a mental health condition. With this move, the Indian government will have to make the changes in the medical systems and laws that require this now officially outdated diagnosis.

The WHO’s removal of gender identity disorder from its diagnostic manual will have a liberating effect on transgender people worldwide.

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) observed on 31 May

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) was observed around the world every year on 31 May. Every year the World Health Organization (WHO)and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).

The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. It is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe. It draws attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects.

WNTD is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the WHO, along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World Malaria Day, World Hepatitis Day, and World AIDS Day. In 2019, WNTD focused on its theme on ‘Tobacco and lung health’. The negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease.

Honda Motorcycle partners with IDFC First Bank for retail financing

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) partnered with IDFC FIRST Bank to provide financing solutions for vehicles across the country

The Memorandum of Understanding(MJ) was signed for the loan facility up to 100% of vehicle cost, zero processing fee, down payment of Rs.999 and extended loan tenure of 48 months offered to two-wheeler customers.

This will lead to extra savings of Rs 5,000 on an average loan.IDFC stands for Infrastructure Development Finance Company. It was founded by the merger of Capital First and IDFC Bank in December 2018.

Facebook plans to launch its cryptocurrency, GlobalCoin, by the first quarter of 2020

Facebook plans to launch its cryptocurrency by the first quarter of 2020. The company is expected to reveal more details about the currency before testing begins later in 2019.

The currency, which is being referred to internally as “GlobalCoin,” will reportedly be available in around a dozen countries at launch, where it’s expected to offer people affordable and secure payments without the need for a bank account.

A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. A cryptocurrency is difficult to counterfeit because of this security feature. It is not issued by any central authority, rendering it theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation.

Reserve Bank of India permits Banks to use Aadhaar only for DBT accounts

Reserve Bank of India(RBl) permitted banks to accept Aadhaar number(Offline verification) for Know Your Customer(KYC) verification with the consent of the customers. RBI has added the ‘Proof of possession of Aadhaar number’ to the list of Officially Valid Documents (OVD).

This was notified by the RBI in its amended Master Direction on KYC. RBI’s Master Direction is a rule book that the regulated entities need to follow.

The bank should obtain the Aadhaar number from the customers who receive any benefit or subsidy under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). All the non-individual customers should submit Permanent Account Number(PAN)/Form No 60 (for companies and Partnership firms – only PAN) along with other documents. Form 60 is submitted by an individual who does not have a Permanent Account Number (PAN).

India’s FDI equity inflows declined for the first time in 6 years

India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows declined for the first time in six years in 2018-19. Data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and internal trade showed FDI equity inflows into India declined 1% to $44.4 billion in the year to 31 March. The decline signals a squeeze in long-term foreign investment into the country.

The two sectors where FDI inflows dropped the most are telecommunications (fell 57% to $2.7 billion) and pharmaceuticals (dropped 74% to $266 million). Singapore dislodged Mauritius as a top source of FDI, accounting for $16.22 billion inflows.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country.

FICCI  prediction: GDP growth of India will be at 7.1% for FY20

FICCI’s (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) economic outlook survey projected India’s median GDP (Gross Domestic Product) 7.1% for FY20 and 7.2% for FY21.

The survey was conducted among economists belonging to the industry, banking and financial services sectors. of Survey for 2019-20. Minimum and maximum growth estimate stood at 6.8 percent and 7.3 per cent.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation rate is projected at 3.1% in 2019-20 with a minimum and maximum range of 2.1 percent and 4 per cent, respectively. Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation forecasted at 4% for 2019-20 with a minimum and maximum range of 3.5 per cent and 4.1 per cent, respectively. The median growth forecast for agriculture and allied activities was pegged at 3%.