Current Affairs 3 July 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 3 July 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Top 25 Current Affairs of 3 July 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian marine fish landings rose 2.1% to 3.56mt in 2019: CMFRI; Tamil Nadu tops 

i.In accordance with the report “Annual Marine Fish Landings in India for 2019” by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), India’s marine fish production has increased marginally by 2.1% to 3.56 million tonnes (mt) in 2019 as compared to 3.49 mt in 2018.
ii.As per the report, Tamil Nadu grabbed the top in annual fish production with 7.75 lakh tonnes followed by Gujarat (7.49 lakh tonnes), which had been holding the first position earlier, and Kerala (5.44 lakh tonnes) which retained the third position.
iii.The estimated value of fish landings in the country last year was Rs 60,881 crore with 15.6% increase over 2018.
About Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI):
The Fishery Resources Assessment Division of the CMFRI estimated the annual marine fish landings through its online data collection system.
Director– Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan
Headquarter– Kochi, Kerala
<< Read Full News >>

SERB Launches ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ Scheme & Portal to Provide Single Platform to Boost High-end Scientific Research

On 1st July 2020, The ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ (AV) scheme for research internships, was launched by the Union Government’s Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
Objective:- To encourage high-end  scientific research and prepare scientific manpower which leads to research careers and knowledge based economy.
Portal:- www.acceleratevigyan.gov.in was also launched while launching the scheme & we can get more information about the scheme “Accelerate Vigyan” in this portal.
i) It identifies research potential, mentors and helps in training on national scale.
ii) Accelerate Vigyan works on mission mode, particularly during consolidation or aggregation for scientific events.
iii) It has started to call applications for the process under ABHYAAS scheme for Winter .
About SERB:–
SERB works under “Department of Science & Technology”.
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Secretary: Prof Sandeep Verma
<< Read Full News >>

Dr.Harsh Vardhan Released the Good Clinical Practice Guidelines Handbook and Prospectus for FPIS of NBE

On 1st July 2020, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr.Harsh Vardhan with the Minister of State of Health, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, released the  Good Clinical Practice Guidelines Handbook and Prospectus for Fellowship Programme for International Students (FPIS) of the National Board of Examinations (NBE) on a virtual platform.
About National Board of Examinations:
NBE became an Autonomous Organization under MoHFW in 1982.
President– Abhijat Sheth
Executive Director– Pawanindra Lal
Established– 1975
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Ministry of Health & Family Welfare:
Union Minister– Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State(Health)– Ashwini Kumar Choubey
<< Read Full News >>

DFPD estimated Rs 1,48,938 cr as cost for distribution of foodgrains and pulses under PMGKAY during April – Nov 2020 

i.On July 1, 2020, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has worked out estimated cost for distribution of food grains (Rice and Wheat) and pulses under PMGKAY, which will be Rs 1,48,938 crore approx for a period between 8 months from April to November 2020.
ii.On June 30, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during televised address to the nation, has announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) from July, 2020 till the end of November 2020.
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana:
Initially launched from April, 2020 for 3 months, the scheme aims to provide  5 kg free wheat or rice per month along with 1 kg free whole chana (pulses) to each family per month covering 80 crore poor people which are severely impacted by the lockdown to contain COVID-19 spread.
About Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution:
Union Minister– Ram Vilas Paswan (Constituency-Bihar)
Departments– Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
<< Read Full News >>

Committee for reform in criminal law headed by Ranbir Singh to start online consultation from July 4, 2020: MHA

i.From July 4, 2020, Central Committee for reforms in Criminal Law headed by Ranbir Singh was constituted by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is going to start a 3 months long online consultation exercise. 
ii.The objective of this exercise is to gather opinions by consulting with experts and collating material for their report to the government.
About Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA):
Home Minister– Amit Anilchandra Shah (Constituency- Gandhinagar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)– Nityanand Rai, G. Kishan Reddy
<< Read Full News >>

BANKING & FINANCE

GoI approved special liquidity scheme for NBFCs and HFCs through SBICAP as SPV

i.On July 1, 2020, the Government of India (GoI) has approved a scheme for improving the short-term liquidity position of non-banking finance companies (NBFCs)/housing finance companies (HFCs) through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the form of Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS) Trust set up by SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAP), a subsidiary of the State Bank of India (SBI). 
ii.It should be noted that the finances provided to the NFBCs/HFCs under this scheme should be used to repay existing liabilities and not to expand assets.

• Period of scheme: The Scheme will remain open for 3 months for making subscriptions by the Trust i.e. till September 30, 2020. 
• Instruments used in this scheme: Commercial papers (CPs) and Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs).

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Formation– 1 April 1935
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, one is yet to be appointed).
<< Read Full News >>

ICICI bank Launched a Facility, ‘Insta Loans against Mutual Funds’, in Partnership with Computer Age Management Services

i.ICICI Bank launched ‘Insta Loans against Mutual Funds’, a facility in partnership with Computer Age Management Services(CAMS). The facility is an extension of the Insta Loan Against Shares(LAS).
ii.The facility enables the retail customers to avail loans upto Rs 1 crore instantly by pledging their holdings in both debt and equity Mutual Funds(MFs).
iii.It is a full digital and paperless facility. It empowers customers to get this loan as an overdraft (OD) within a few minutes without having to visit a branch and submit physical documents.
About ICICI bank:
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Sandeep Bakhshi
<< Read Full News >>

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS       

Mon District Administration received 3 SKOCH Awards in 65th SKOCH Summit

On 30th June 2020, The District Administration of Mon, Nagaland received 2020 SKOCH awards under three categories viz SKOCH Crucible Award 2020, SKOCH order of Merit 2020,  SKOCH Honourable mention 2020 in the 65th SKOCH summit from Sameer Kochar, Chairman of SKOCH group
Mon’s SKOCH Awards:
i.The SKOCH Crucible Award 2020 for its focus on mission mode implementation of opening bank accounts through the Indian post Payment Bank (IBBP) under Financial Inclusive Mon.
ii.SKOCH Order of Merit 2020 for its quick and innovative response to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its initiative to home deliver the essentials to assist the citizens.
–The public movement permit, home delivery of vegetables, banking services and water, food bank. Online ePass for Intra-District movement, Active Case Search Strategy and Contact Listing, Walk In Sample kiosk (WISK). NL-sojo COVID App, Clappia App and World Help Group App are some of the innovations initiated in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
iii.SKOCH Honourable mention 2020 – For its initiative -Skill Mon Mission, under financially inclusive Mon. To address the high unemployment rate in the District, through Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) the District Administration Mon in co-ordination with the Department of Skill Development Employment & Entrepreneurship and the Registered Training Partners under Skill -India Mission organised Mega Job Fair and Mobilization Drives.
About SKOCH Award:
The highest civilian award of the country for public service by a non-governmental organisation SKOCH Group .The Award covers the best of effort in the area of digital, financial and social inclusion. 
Established– 2003.
About SKOCH Group:
Chairman– Sameer Kochhar
Head Office– Gurgaon, Haryana

Pulitzer Prize Winner Siddhartha Mukherjee and Prof Raj Chetty Named among ‘2020 Great Immigrants’ Honourees

i.Carnegie Corporation of New York has named 2 renowned Indian-Americans, Siddhartha Mukherjee, a Pulitzer prize winner and Raj Chetty, Economics Professor at Harvard University among  ‘2020 Great Immigrants’ honourees.
ii.Siddhartha Mukherjee has educated the public about the coronavirus through essays and through various modes of social media.
iii.Raj Chetty has helped to launch a resource to monitor the real-time economic impact of COVID-19 on people, businesses, and communities across the United States
About Carnegie Corporation of New York:
Headquarters– New York, United States
President– Vartan Gregorian
<< Read Full News >>

 APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS      

Shashank Manohar Steps Down as ICC Chairman, Imran Khwaja Takes Charge as Interim Chairman

i.Shashank Manohar stepped down as International Cricket Council(ICC) chairman after his two 2 year tenure(4 years). He is the first independent chairman. 
ii.His tenure ended on July 1, 2020. Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja will take charge as interim chairman until the next chairman is elected.
iii.Shashank Manohar was elected as ICC’s first independent Chairman in May 2016. Imran Khwaja was elected as ICC’s deputy chairman in 2017. 
About ICC:
Headquarters– Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Chief Executive Officer– Manu Sawhney
<< Read Full News >>

V Suryanarayanan Becomes the New MD of Chola MS General Insurance 

On 30th June 2020, The Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company promoted V Suryanarayanan, President and COO of the company as the New Managing Director (MD) with effect from 1st July 2020 succeeding SS Gopalarathnam.
i.SS Gopalarathnam, who joined the Murugappa Group in 1979  served the company for around 41 years in finance and marketing function retired on July 1st and Suryanarayanan will take over his position.
ii.SS Gopalarathnam, started Cholamandalam MS General Insurance in 2002 as a founding member.
iii.Suryanarayanan was a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary served in financial services sector of the Murugappa Group for the past 24 years.
iv.Suryanarayanan served in Cholamandalam Investments and Finance for 10 years and moved to Chola MS as the CFO in 2006 and became the President and COO in April 2019.
About Cholamandalam MS General Insurance:
Cholamandalam MS General Insurance is a joint venture of Murugappa Group and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Ltd (Japan).
Chairman– MM Murugappan
Managing Director– V Suryanarayanan
HeadOffice – Chennai, Tamil Nadu 

Agricultural Experts Prof. Rattan Lal & Dr. Uma Lele from India Named by UN Chief to Scientific Group for 2021 Food Summit

Antonio Guterres, Chief of United Nations, named Prof. Rattan Lal and Dr. Uma Lele (Agricultural experts) from India as members of International Scientific group to offer foremost scientific evidence for sustainable food systems for global food summit 2021.
i) It aims to raise awareness about the food system challenges to be solved by the nations and to change food systems to provide safe and nutritious food around the globe.
ii) The stakeholder Advisory Committee will provide guidance and feedback on Food Summit’s overall development and implementation.
About United Nations:-
Headquarters: New York, United States
Secretary General: Antonio Guterres
<< Read Full News >>

Indra Mani Pandey appointed as Permanent Representative of India to UN and Others Organisations in Geneva

Indra Mani Pandey,Indian Foregin Services (IFS) Officer of 1990 and Additional Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs(MEA)was appointed as India’s Permanent Representative/Ambassador to the United Nations and the other International Organisations in Geneva, succeeding Rajiv Kumar Chander, IFS Officer of 1983 batch.
About United Nations(UN):
Secretary-General– António Guterres (Portugal)
Headquarters– New York, United States of America.
<< Read Full News >>  

IRDAI Sets Up 9-Member Panel headed by G Srinivasan to study suitability of Surety Bond issuance by Indian insurers

On July 01, 2020, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a nine member working Group (WG) under G. Srinivasan, director, National Insurance Academy, after the request made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) ,to study the suitability of insurers offering surety bonds for contractors.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana.
Chairman– Subhash Chandra Khuntia
<< Read Full News >>

Karnam Sekar, Managing Director & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank Retires

Karnam Sekar, The Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Indian Overseas Bank(IOB), retired on 30th June 2020.
Karnam Sekar’s Career:
i.Sekar joined the State Bank of India(SBI) as the Probationary officer in December 1983.
ii.He served as the deputy managing director and chief credit officer of State Bank of India and played a major role in formulating loan policy of SBI.
iii.He served as the SBI’s Manager of Treasury in Johannesburg, South Africa.
iv.He has been the MD and CEO of Dena Bank since 21st September 2018.
v.He joined IOB as an officer on special duty  and a Director on 1st April 2019 after the merger of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank into Bank of Baroda.
vi.He was promoted as the MD and CEO succeeding Subramaniam Kumar on 1st July 2019.
About Indian Overseas Bank(IOB):
Tagline – Good People to Grow With.
Headquarter – Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS       

US-based Carlyle Group to Acquire 25% Stake in Nxtra Data For $235 mn

On July 01, 2020, American multinational private equity company Carlyle Group has decided to acquire about 25% stake in India’s second largest telecom company Bharti Airtel’s data centre business –Nxtra Data Ltd– for $235 million (about ₹1,780 crore) through a company called Comfort Investments II, which is an affiliated entity of CAP V Mauritius Ltd., an investment fund managed and advised by affiliated firms of the Carlyle.
About Nxtra Data Ltd:
Location– New Delhi
About Bharti Airtel:
Headquarters – New Delhi
MD & CEO (India and South Asia)– Gopal Vittal
<< Read Full News >>

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Air Force & CSIO Have Develops Indigenous ‘Airborne Locust Control System’ on Two Mi-17 Helicopters

On June 30, 2020, Chandigarh based 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) have indigenously developed an Airborne Locust Control System (ALCS) for two Mi-17 helicopters for spraying atomised pesticide malathion to arrest locust breeding.

• These helicopters will spray 800 liters of pesticide in 750 hectare area in just 40 minutes.

i.The Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has flagged off a Bell 206-B3 helicopter for effective control of crop threatening locusts in the worst affected areas in Rajasthan.
About Indian Air Force(IAF):
Headquarters– New Delhi.
Motto– Glory that touches the sky
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)- Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria,
Commander-in-Chief– President Ram Nath Kovind
<< Read Full News >>

Swedish Institute of Space Physics to Explore Venus for 2^nd time via Indian Space Mission Shukrayaan-1

The Swedish Institute of Space Physics(IRF) will explore Venus for the second time through the India’s 1^st  Venus Mission Shukrayaan-1. The Shukrayaan-1 is scheduled for launch at the end of 2023 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Key Points:-
i) Venusian Neutrals Analyzer (VNA), the satellite instrument of IRF will study the interaction between the charged particles of the sun and the atmosphere and exosphere of the planet.
ii) Plasma properties around Venus are measured intimately through the satellite tv for pc instruments.
iii) The primary technology SARA was launched on Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-1 that explored the Moon in 2008-2009.
About Indian Venus Mission-Shukrayaan-1:
Operator: ISRO
Launch: 2023
<< Read Full News >>

OBITUARY

West Indies Cricketer Everton Weekes Passed Away at 95 

On July 1, 2020 West Indies cricketer Everton de Courcy Weekes passed away at 95. He is the last member of the legendary Three Ws, the legendary trio of cricketing knights. He was born in Pickwick Gap, Barbados on February 26, 1925.

• He was the 3rd oldest surviving men’s Test cricketer, after South African John Watkins and England’s Don Smith.

Gist about Everton Weekes
i.Everton Weekes made his first-class debut at 19-year-old and his Test debut in 1948 at 22. His test career spanned between 1948 to 1958, where he played 48 Tests & scored 4455 runs at an average of 58.62 
ii.He has made 15 centuries, which include 5 in an extraordinary sequence that still remains a record.
iii.He retired in 1958, after which he had served as a coach, administrator, and ICC match referee.
Honours– He was made a Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) for his services to cricket in 1995 & was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.
3Ws– In addition to him, Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell were member of 3Ws

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu Virtually Releases a Book “Future of Higher Education – Nine Mega Trends”

On June 30, 2020 Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu virtually released a book, “Future of Higher Education – Nine Mega Trends“. The book is authored by CA V Pattabhi Ram, a Public Speaker, author and Teacher. The Virtual event was hosted by ICT Academy.
Essence of the book
i.The book covers the new norms in the key areas of higher education such as Student-Teacher relationship, Learning methods, Laboratories & Examinations among others which has taken  a paradigm shift during this COVID pandemic.
ii.The book is based on a survey of about  5000 educators across India who were part of ICT Academy’s “SkyCampus” Digital Knowledge Series. 
Key People
CA T N Manoharan- Chairman Canara Bank & Padma Shri Awardee, Lakshmi Narayanan- Chairman ICT Academy, CA Pattabhi Ram V-  Author, M Sivakumar- CEO of ICT Academy also participated in the launch with 5000 Educators across India. The launch was hosted by Dr B Anbuthambi, President ICT Academy. 
About ICT Academy:
Headquarters– Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Chairman– Lakshmi Narayanan

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Sports Journalists Day 2020: July 2 

i.World Sports Journalists Day is observed annually on July 2. The day aims to acknowledge the work of sports journalists & to encourage them to do better at their work. 
ii.The day was established in 1994 to mark the 70th anniversary of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). This year 2020 marks the 96th anniversary of AIPS.
iii.The 1st AIPS e-Conference will be held on July 2 at 2pm Central European Time (CET) on Zoom.us. on the topic ‘’Has covid-19 affected journalists’ independence and future?”.
About AIPS:
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
President– Gianni Merlo
<< Read Full News >>

World Allergy Week 2020 – June 28 to July 4

i.2020 World Allergy Week is celebrated from 28 June – 4 July 2020. World Allergy Week is an annual event initiated by the World Allergy Organisation (WAO) to raise awareness about the allergic diseases, disorders related to allergic diseases and the preventive measures of these diseases.The first World Allergy Week was observed in July 2011.
ii.The first World Allergy Week was observed in July 2011.
iii.The theme of World Allergy Week 2020 is “Allergy care does not stop with COVID-19”.
About WAO:
President– Motohiro Ebisawa
President Elect– Bryan Martin
Secretary General– Mário Morais-Almeida
Headquarters– Milwaukee, United States of America
<< Read Full News >>

STATE NEWS

Telangana amends state FRBM Act 2005; accepting govt’s decision to extend borrowing limit to 5% from 3%

i.The Governor of Telangana Tamilisai Sounderarajan has promulgated an ordinance No.3 of 2020, amending the Telangana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act-2005 which will enable the State to increase the borrowing limit by 2% to 5% of GSDP from earlier 3% of GSDP. With the new Telangana FRBM (Amendment) Act 2020, state government’s additional borrowing limit can go up to Rs 20,000 crore now, without any hassles.
ii.With this amendment, the Telangana State government has accepted the recent decision of the Central government to expand the borrowing limit of the States under FRBM Act, 2003, as there is fall in state’s revenues due to COVID-19 induced lockdown.
About Telangana:
Capital– Hyderabad
State Bird– Palapitta (Indian Roller or Blue Jay)
State Animal– Jinka (Deer)
State Tree– Jammi Chettu (Prosopis Cineraria)
State Flower– Tangedu (Tanner’s Cassia)
<< Read Full News >>

Odisha Government to Implement an Initiative ‘Sabuja Odisha’ to Increase Green Cover through Extensive Plantation

i.Odisha government in a high-level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy decided to implement a new initiative ‘Sabuja Odisha’. 
ii.The initiative will  increase green cover through extensive plantations over 1,30,264 Hectares of land. 
iii.A web-based system will be set up for real-time monitoring and supervision of the programme.
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneswar
Governor– Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister– Naveen Patnaik
<< Read Full News >>

AC GAZE

“COPAL-19”app to track plasma donors launched

AIIMS(All India Institute Of Medical Science) doctor along with a team of IIT-Delhi students have developed an app “COPAL-19” which enables users to track willing plasma donors who have recovered from Covid-19.

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