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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Swajal scheme of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation launched in 115 Aspirational Districts of India
On June 16, 2018, In a National Consultation on National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) chaired by Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti, Swajal scheme was announced in 115 aspirational districts of the country.
Key points:
i.This consultation had the Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Ramesh Jigajinagi, Ministers-in-charge of Drinking Water from13 States, including Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as guests .
ii.The Launch of the Swajal scheme has an outlay of Rs 700 crore.
iii.These scheme will aim to provide villages with piped water supply powered by solar energy. The scheme will train hundreds of rural technicians for operation and maintenance of Swajal units.
Other announcements made in the meeting were:
i. Modernisation of 2000 water quality testing laboratories.
ii. Rs.1000 crores allotted for addressing the drinking water needs of 27,544 arsenic and fluoride affected habitations of the country in this financial year under the National Water Quality Sub-Mission (NWQSM).
iii. Announcement of a special campaign made for awareness of rain water harvesting and its importance.
iv. States to cooperate for the fulfillment of goals of Sustainable Development Goal ‘safe drinking water for all’ in India by 2030.
About Swajal Schemes:
Swajal is a community owned drinking water programme for sustained drinking water supply. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti, in Bagori Uttarakhand with a budget of Rs 32 lakhs on 20th February 2018. The village of Sadag has been implementing the soncept of Swajal since 1996.
About Sustainable Development Goal ‘safe drinking water for all’ by 2030:
♦ The Sustainable Development Goals have committed the international community to expand international cooperation and capacity building on water and sanitation related activities and programmes in improving water and sanitation management.
♦ As for India , priority has given by the government which has introduced several flagship programmes including the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to clean India, the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, and Namami Gange, which aims at the conservation of the River Ganga. The Target is to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
Union Minister of Home Affairs gives financial assistance of Rs. 5.5 lakh per family to West Pakistan Refugees settled in J&K on his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on June 7-8 2018.
On June 16, 2018, The Union Government approved financial aid of Rs. 5.5 lakh per family to the West Pakistan Refugees settled in J&K. The amount was disbursed by Union Home minister Rajnath Singh on his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on June 7-8 , 2018.
Key points:
i. It would come into effect from 13th JUNE 2018.
ii. This scheme would help 5764 families settled in J&K.
iii. The amount would be credited to the account of the eligible beneficiaries.
iv. The state government would appoint Nodal Officers for the smooth implementation of the scheme as well.
About West Pakistan Refugee Settlement:
As a result of Partition in 1947 , the displaced families who were former residents of West Pakistan sought refuge in Jammu And Kashmir. The Central government and State Government of Jammu and Kashmir is aiding them to better their livelihoods by providing them rehabilitation.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu to lay foundation stone for sewage management system in Itanagar
On June 16, 2018, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu laid foundation stone for sewage management system and Storm water drainage system in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
i. This schemes are under government’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme.
Objective:
To enable basic facilities like drainage system, basic water harvesting system in the region .
Key points:
i. This would prevent migration of families from rural to urban due to the lack of health care, education and economic stability.
ii. This would ensure implementation of proper urban planning system.
iii. Besides this, The Vice President also met research scholars and faculty members of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
About Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Scheme:
The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015 with the focus to establish infrastructure that could ensure adequate robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation by implementing urban revival projects. Rajasthan was the first state in the country to submit State Annual Action Plan under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Government likely to penalise insurance companies for delaying payment under NHPS
The government has proposed to penalise insurance companies for delay in payment to hospitals for settlement of claims under the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS).
Government likely to penalise insurance companies for delaying payment under NHPS:
i. Under the scheme, if an insurance company delays the claim payment over 15 days, then it should pay a penalty of 1 % interest on the claimed amount per week till it completely settles the claim.
ii. The insurance company will pay the penalty directly to the hospital, as specified in the model tender document that was released on 14th June 2018.
iii. The model tender document also consists of a list of the procedures and their rates that will be covered under the scheme along with those that require pre-authorisation.
iv. 20 states and Union territories have till now signed MoUs with the Union Health Ministry for executing the NHPS. NHPS aims to offer a cover of Rs 5 lakh per family every year to 10 crore vulnerable families.
v. Four states namely Delhi, Odisha, Punjab and West Bengal have not given any positive sign regarding adoption of the scheme till now.
vi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would launch the scheme on 15th August 2018. This is expected to become the world’s largest healthcare programme.
vii. Government has allotted Rs 10,000 crore for the scheme on initial estimation for the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Nicknames of some Indian cities:
♦ Tenali (Andhra Pradesh) – Andhra Paris
♦ Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) – City of Chillies, City of Spices
♦ Bhimavaram (Andhra Pradesh) – Secon Bardoli of India
Foundation Stone of ‘Auxiliary Production Unit & Artificial Limbs Fitting Centre’ Laid at Nawada, Faridabad
On 16th June 2018, the Foundation of stone of “Auxiliary Production Unit and State-of-the-Art Artificial Limbs Fitting Centre” was laid by Manohar Lal, Chief Minister of Haryana and Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment at an event at village Nawada, Tigaon (Ballabhgarh), Faridabad, Haryana.
Auxiliary Production Unit & Artificial Limbs Fitting Centre:
i. Foundation stone has been laid for the Auxiliary Production Unit & Artificial Limbs Fitting Centre of Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
ii. The differently abled people face a lot of difficulties to visit Kanpur to avail facilities of evaluation, measurements and fitment of assistive devices from ALIMCO headquarters at Kanpur.
iii. These services provided at the auxiliary centres in other areas will help differently abled people to cover lesser distance for receiving these devices.
iv. Setting up of this Centre at Faridabad would reduce long travel for differently abled people from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
v. This centre will reinforce capacity of the Corporation, offer other rehabilitation services such as limbs fitting, disabled help centres, awareness generation about other schemes for empowerment of differently abled people.
vi. Facilities for filment of advanced Artificial Limbs, Manufacturing of Tricycle, Wheelchair, Motorized Tricycle, Walker, Crutches, and Walking Stick etc. will also be performed in this centre.
Some important dams in India:
♦ Lakhya Dam – Lakhya hole River
♦ Sholayar Dam – Sholayar River
♦ Koyna Dam – Koyna River
Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons launches the new Incredible India website
On 14th June 2018, the Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism K.J. Alphons launched the new Incredible India website in New Delhi.
New Incredible India website:
i. The New Incredible India website portrays India as a holistic destination with experiences in spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness, etc.
ii. The website is of international standard. It aims to project India as a “must-visit” destination.
iii. The new website is more interactive. Tech Mahindra, Google, Adobe and NIC team participated in the development of this website.
iv. Using Adobe solution suite, the Ministry of Tourism will provide real time personalized experiences for each visitor, based on their interest.
v. Ministry of Tourism has tied up with Google Arts & Culture in creating great visuals for the website.
vii. Salient Features of the new website are:
- User Friendly Design
- RichContent
- Advanced Personalization
- Mobile Ready
- Interactive Search
- User Generated Content
viii. The website has been developed by Tech Mahindra. It is powered by NIC Cloud. The website will be available in Hindi and major international languages soon. The Website Link is: https://www.incredibleindia.org/
Some important bird sanctuaries in India:
♦ Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary – Gujarat
♦ Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary – Gujarat
♦ Kutch Bustard Sanctuary – Gujarat
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Singapore’s NUS-ISS to implement skill development programmes in India
On June 16, 2018, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, government of India will partner with Singapore e-Government Leadership Centre (eGL) at the National University of Singapore’s Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) for implementation of skill development initiatives of India.
Key points:
i. They will work together to develop and implement skill development programmes across emerging technology areas like Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
ii. They will give vocational training technologies, training of trainers and assessors, and promoting life-long learning.
iii. NUS-ISS would provide strategies and will act as advisory to NSDC and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) .
About Skill India Mission :
Skill India mission is the Government of India through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship formed in November 2014. Over the next 3 years, it is estimated that more than 25 million youths will be skilled and certified through various programmes under the Ministry, training Indian youths and professionals on International Standards and develop quality assurance framework
India set to launch $240 million retaliatory tariffs on US imports
India would introduce retaliatory tariffs worth $240 million soon on a revised list of 30 items imported from the United States to counter United States’ move to increase duties on Indian steel and aluminium.
India set to launch $240 million retaliatory tariffs on US imports:
i. This move has been made at a time when India is planning to negotiate a “trade package” with the United States to ease tensions between both the countries.
ii. On 13th June 2018, India notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) a revised list of 30 items imported from the US, like almonds, apples, phosphoric acid and motorcycles with engine capacity more than 800 cc (including Harley-Davidson Inc.), on which it has decided to impose retaliatory tariffs.
iii. On 18th May 2018, India had notified the WTO a list of 20 items imported from the US worth $166 million on which it was proposing to increase tariffs.
iv. In the revised list, India has reduced the proposed maximum additional duties from 100% (on walnuts) to 50% (on Harley-Davidson).
v. India had asked the US government to exempt it from its 25% tax on steel and 10% on aluminium imposed by US President Donald Trump on the basis of national security.
vi. But it was rejected by the US. India has also invited the US to the dispute settlement mechanism in the WTO over the issue.
About World Trade Organization (WTO):
♦ Director-General – Roberto Azevêdo
♦ Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
BANKING & FINANCE
Karnataka Bank has unveiled a novel card variant ‘KBL Deposit Only Card’ for hassle free cash deposit.
On June 16, 2018, Karnataka Bank introduced a novel card variant called ‘KBL Deposit Only Card’.
i. This card is meant for Bank’s Current/Overdraft customers.
ii. This would ensure hassle free cash deposit transactions at Bank’s 24×7 e-Lobby Services.
iii. By using this card customers can perform cash deposit transactions even with higher deposit limit at Bank’s Bunch Note Acceptor (BNA) / Cash Recycler kiosks.
Karnataka Bank :
♦ Headquarters: Mangalore
♦ Tagline : Your Family bank across India.
ICICI Bank & Marg ERP’s maiden tie up to provide integrated payments platform to MSMEs
On June 16, 2018, Marg ERP limited, a leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) company for the first time has partnered with ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank to offer an integrated payments platform to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) customers, using Marg’s accounting software.
Objective:
To promote ‘Connected Banking’.
Key points:
i. MSMEs are no longer required to toggle between a banking platform and an ERP software to undertake their business transactions.
ii. It would allow them to seamlessly connect their banking and accounting, which was once available only for large companies with large IT and infrastructure budgets.
iii. This would also enable ICICI Bank’s current account holders to securely connect their bank account with the Marg ERP software and make digital transactions.
iv. It will also help businesses to initiate vendor & salary payments via RTGS, NEFT or IMPS directly from this platform, apply for working capital loans as well as schedule future dated payments.
ICICI Bank:
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai.
♦ CEO: Chanda Kochhar.
♦ Tagline: Hum hain na!
World Bank,Pakistan ink agreements of $565 mn in power, water sectors for NTDC project and Sindh irrigation project
On June 16, 2018, Pakistan and the World Bank inked agreements worth $565 million to help build and support the projects in power and water sectors.
Out of the total grant of $565 million, $425 million is meant for the NTDC and $140 million is for the Sindh government.
Key points:
Grant of $425 mn for NTDC:
i. The total cost of NTDC’s project would be $536.33 mn out of which the NTDC would provide $111.33 mn.
ii. Rest of the $425 mn will be provided by World Bank for the National Transmission Modernisation (Phase-I) project which is designed to increase the capacity and reliability of selected segments of the national transmission system and for NTDC.
Grant of $140 mn for Sindh Barrages:
i. The total cost of the project is $152.2 million for Sindh Barrages Improvement Project which is aimed at improving the reliability and safety of Guddu Barrage and strengthening the Sindh Irrigation Department‘s capacity .
ii. The World Bank will provide $140mn and the rest amount of $12.2 mn is given by Sindh Government.
World Bank :
♦ Headquarters: Washington DC, US.
♦ Presidetnt: Jim Yong Kim.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Reliance Industries investing in India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing unit
On 15th June 2018, Reliance Industries said that, it is investing in establishing India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing unit to cater the aerospace and defence sectors.
Reliance Industries investing in India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing unit:
i. Reliance Industries will also make low-cost and high-volume composite products such as modular toilets, homes and composites for windmill blades and rotor blades.
ii. Reliance Industries has not revealed its investment details. It has said in its annual report that, it has developed capabilities for 3D printing of wide-range of plastic and metals products.
iii. Reliance Industries is enhancing its petrochemicals business to capture Rs30,000 crore composites market. It has planned to manufacture graphene, enhanced plastics and elastomers, fibre reinforced composites that can replace steel.
iv. Reliance Industries has said that, it is investing in India’s first and largest carbon fibre production line with its own technology.
v. It has said that, it will focus on design and specifications driven markets and applications that would give better returns.
vi. The focus areas are: wind mill blades and parts for railways and metros, which have exacting standards of performance and safety (especially fire retardant).
vii. Carbon wraps to rehabilitate/refurbish India’s old infrastructure like bridges, buildings (for improved seismic performance) and pipes are also included.
About Reliance Industries Limited:
♦ Chairman & Managing Director – Mukesh Ambani
♦ Headquarters – Mumbai
ICICI Venture sells 30% in KIMS to General Atlantic for Rs 850 crore
ICICI Venture has sold its 30% stake in hospital chain Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) to General Atlantic for Rs 850 crore.
ICICI Venture sells 30% in KIMS to General Atlantic for Rs 850 crore:
i. ICICI Venture is India’s largest private equity fund. Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences is based in Hyderabad.
ii. The stake sale to General Atlantic values KIMS at around Rs 2,700 crore. It valued at Rs 850 crore in 2014.
iii. ICICI Venture had invested about Rs 220 crore in 2014 in KIMS. It was expecting to exit through a public offer in 2018. KIMS received the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) approval for a public offer.
About ICICI Venture:
♦ Chairman – Mr. Sridar Iyengar
♦ Type – a specialist alternative assets manager
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Former AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya resigns from Adani Group
On 15th June 2018, former AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya announced his resignation from Adani Group.
Mittu Chandilya resigns from Adani Group:
i. Mittu Chandilya has said that, he has resigned from the company to spend time with his family.
ii. He has resigned at a time when the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has registered a case against AirAsia for bribing government officials to obtain international flying licence for AirAsia India.
About AirAsia India:
♦ Established – 2013
♦ AirAsia (India) Limited – a joint venture between Tata Sons Limited & AirAsia Investment Limited
NASA’s record-breaking astronaut Peggy Whitson retires at age 58
On June 16, 2018, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who spent a record-breaking 665 days in space, has retired from the space agency.
Key points:
i. Whitson, the 58-year-old NASA astronaut, holds the US record for most cumulative time in space.
ii. She claimed the title for most spacewalks by a woman — 10 spacewalks totalling 60 hours and 21 minutes — and set the record for most time spent in space by a US astronaut, placing eighth on the all-time space endurance list.
iii.She also served as chief of the astronaut corps from 2009 to 2012, becoming both the first woman to hold the position and the first non-military astronaut corps chief.
iv. In 2008, she returned to the ISS and became the first female commander of the space station.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DRDO converts Pinaka rocket system into guided missile Pinaka Mark II
On June 16, 2018, Pinaka rocket system of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), known for firing 12 rockets in just 44 seconds, is being converted into a precision-guided missile.
i. Pinaka initially had a range of 30 to 40km.
ii. In its initial phase it has been developed into Pinaka Mark II, which has an enhanced range of 70 to 80 km.
iii. The actual ground trials will be held at Pokhran
iv. The project duration is three years of which one year has been completed
v. After the developmental trials it is expected to be inducted in the Indian Army in coming two years.
About Pinaka Mark I rocket:
♦ The rocket has been named after Pinaka, the bow of Lord Shiva. The Pinaka system is like a quiver of 12 rockets. Pinaka Mark I had been used in the 1999 Kargil conflict.
♦ In future, the Pinaka and Guided Pinaka will co-exist as a weapon that can destroy an area and the guided version will add an edge to it when a specific target has to be hit.
SPORTS
New Zealand’s teenage player Amelia Kerr sets world record in the women’s ODI cricket
On 13th June 2018, New Zealand’s teenage player Amelia Kerr has created a world record in the women’s ODI cricket by scoring an unbeaten 232 runs in a match against Ireland in Dublin.
New Zealand’s teenage player Amelia Kerr sets world record in the women’s ODI cricket:
i. Amelia Kerr was 17 years old. She recorded 232 runs (unbeaten) that included 31 boundaries and 2 sixes, in 145 balls.
ii. She became the highest individual scorer in women’s ODI. She broke the 21-year-old record held by Australian Belinda Clarke, who scored unbeaten 229 runs against Denmark in 1997.
iii. Amelia Kerr has also become the third-highest individual run scorer in the history of men’s and women’s cricket.
iv. She has also become the second woman in the history of cricket to score a double hundred. She is also the youngest cricketer to have scored a double century.
Some important stadiums in India:
♦ Moin-ul-Haq Stadium – Patna, Bihar
♦ Patna Patliputra Sports Complex – Patna, Bihar
♦ Rajendra Stadium – Siwan, Bihar
OBITUARY
Former Bengal minister passes away
On 16th June 2018, Satya Sadhan Chakraborty, former West Bengal minister and CPI(M) leader, died due to heart attack, in Kolkata.
Death of Satya Sadhan Chakraborty:
i. Satya Sadhan Chakraborty was 85 years old. He was the state higher education minister for more than 10 years.
ii. In 1980, he was elected to Lok Sabha from South Kolkata constituency. He served as state higher education minister from 1991 to 2006.
Some important National Parks in West Bengal:
♦ Neora Valley National Park
♦ Singalila National Park
♦ Sundarbans National Park
Journalist Shujaat Bukhari shot dead by gunmen in Srinagar
On 14th June 2018, Shujaat Bukhari, a veteran journalist and editor of the Rising Kashmir newspaper was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper’s office in Srinagar, Kashmir.
Death of Shujaat Bukhari:
i. Shujaat Bukhari was 50 years old. One of his personal security officers (PSO) was also killed in the shoot-out.
ii. Earlier he worked with The Hindu newspaper as its Kashmir correspondent. He had organized various conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley. He also participated in the Track II process with Pakistan.
Tag lines of some banks:
♦ Dena Bank – Trusted Family Bank
♦ Indian Bank – Your Tech-friendly bank
♦ Indian Overseas Bank – Good people to grow with
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Family Remittances – 16 June
On 16th June 2018, International Day of Family Remittances was observed all over the world.
International Day of Family Remittances:
i. The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is celebrated every year on 16 June.
ii. This day highlights the significant financial contribution made by migrant workers to their families back home and to the sustainable development of their native countries.
iii. 16 June was declared as International Day of Family Remittances by the IFAD’s Governing Council in 2015. This day was adopted by the UN General Assembly in June 2018.
iv. The first International Day of Family Remittances was celebrated on 16 June 2015. This day aims to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) “One Family at a Time” produced for the International Day of Family Remittances 2018.
About International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
♦ Based in – Rome, Italy
♦ Formed – 1977
