DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 5, 2024

NCAER Report: India's Poverty Rate Plummets to 8.5% in 2022-24

Tags: Reports

Poverty in India decreased from 21.2% in 2011-12 to 8.5% in 2022-24, according to the NCAER report.

An Overview of the News

• This decline persisted despite challenges posed by the pandemic, as per data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS).

Rural vs Urban Trends:

• Rural poverty dropped sharply from 24.8% in 2011-12 to 8.6% currently.

• Urban areas also saw a decline, from 13.4% to 8.4%.

Impact of Economic Growth:

• Economic growth contributed to poverty reduction, emphasizing the need for flexible social protection programs.

• Long-term poverty drivers are shifting from "accidents of birth" to "accidents of life," such as natural disasters and changing occupational opportunities.

Government Surveys and Data:

• NITI Aayog CEO indicated poverty has fallen to 5%, aligning with the latest consumer expenditure survey.

• NSSO data showed significant increases in per capita monthly household expenditure from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

Poverty Thresholds and Adjustments:

• Poverty lines adjusted over time: from Rs 447 and Rs 579 in 2004-05 (Tendulkar Committee) to higher thresholds in 2011-12 adjusted by the Planning Commission.

Andhra Pradesh Launches NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme

Tags: State News

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the NTR Bharosa pension scheme.

An Overview of the News

• The launch event took place at Penumaka village in Amaravati, accompanied by his son Nara Lokesh and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan in their respective constituencies.

Increased Monthly Pensions:

• Old-aged, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, transgenders, and artistes: Increased from ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 per month.

• Disabled and multi-deformity leprosy patients: Increased from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 per month.

• Fully disabled (bedridden/wheelchair-bound), severe muscular dystrophy patients: Increased from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per month.

• Chronic disease patients (e.g., kidney diseases, thalassemia): Increased from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per month.

Implementation Details

• State Cabinet Approval: June 24, 2024.

• Participation: All cabinet members and MLAs participated in pension distribution in their respective constituencies.

Distribution Highlights

• Example: Naidu personally handed ₹4,000 monthly pension to Islavath Sai (widow) and ₹4,000 old-age pension to her parents, Banavath Pamula Nayak and Banavath Sitha, who are daily-wage earners.

Distribution Details:

• ₹4,408 crore distributed to 6.531 million beneficiaries across 28 categories.

• Distributed by 120,097 village and ward secretariat employees.

• Doorstep delivery of pensions.

Government Initiatives and Future Plans:

• Inspired by TDP founder NT Rama Rao.

• Focus on improving living standards and controlling commodity prices.

• Plans to revive Anna canteens and fill vacant teaching positions.

• Commitment to youth training for skill enhancement and employment opportunities.

India Launches UPI Payments at Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Tags: International News

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) launched at the Galeries Lafayette flagship store on Haussmann Boulevard, Paris.

An Overview of the News

• The Indian Embassy in France announced the operational status of UPI at Galeries Lafayette on July 3, 2024.

• Ambassador Jawed Ashraf inaugurated the launch with Nicolas Houze (CEO of Galeries Lafayette) and Alain Lacour (Chairman of Lyra Group) present.

Significance and Strategic Collaboration

• Strategic Collaboration:

  • Highlighted the strategic partnership between Lyra and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

  • This launch is ahead of the Paris Olympics starting on July 26, 2024, expecting many Indian visitors.

• Historical Context:
  

  • Recalled Prime Minister Modi's first international UPI launch in Singapore in 2018.

  • Emphasized UPI's ongoing global expansion and potential for facilitating cross-border digital payments and remittances.

UPI Overview and Capabilities

• System Integration:

  • UPI integrates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application.

  • Offers seamless fund routing and merchant payments across participating banks.

• Technical Details:

  • UPI is an Indian instant payment system developed by NPCI in 2016.

  • It facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer and person-to-merchant transactions.

  • Operates as an open-source application programming interface (API) on top of the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS).

  • Regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

Global Fintech Alignment

• UPI positions itself as a comprehensive digital payment system.

• Aligns with global fintech trends, promoting swift, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions.

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Wins Golden Peacock Award for Safety

Tags: Awards

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd. (L&TMRHL) has been honored with the Golden Peacock Award (GPA) in the Transportation (Railways) category.

An Overview of the News

• The award recognizes Excellence in Occupational Health & Safety (GPOHSA).

• The award was presented at the Institute of Directors' (IOD) 25th International Conference on Environment Management and Climate Change-2024 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Presentation Ceremony

• Recipient: KVB Reddy, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd. (L&TMRHL)

• Presented by:

  • Uday U. Lalit, Former Chief Justice of India (CJI)

  • Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court

Significance of the Award

• Focus: Highlights L&TMRHL's commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment

• Adherence: Underscores L&TMRHL's strict compliance with Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) standards

Company Background

• Parent Company: Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

• Project Model: Implementing the Metro Rail Project on a Design, Built, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis

Viswanathan Anand Wins 10th Leon Masters Title

Tags: Sports Person in news

Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, the 15th World Chess Champion, has won the 37th edition of the Magistral Tournament "Ciudad de León" (Leon Masters).

An Overview of the News

• Anand defeated Grand Master (GM) Jaime Santos Latasa of Spain (3-1) in the Finals.

• The tournament took place from 27th June to 1st July 2024 in León, Spain.

• This victory marks Anand's 10th Leon Masters title.

Achievements

• 10th Leon Masters Title: Previous triumphs in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2016

• India's First Chess Grand Master: Achieved in 1988

• 5-time World Champion: Titles won in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012

Honours and Awards

• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: First recipient in 1991-92, India's highest sports award

• Padma Vibhushan Award: First sportsperson to receive this honor in 2007

Hemant Soren Takes Oath as Jharkhand CM for Third Term

Tags: Person in news State News

Hemant Soren, the Executive President of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

An Overview of the News

• The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

• The ceremony took place at a simple function organized at Raj Bhavan.

Background:

• Hemant Soren is assuming the role of Chief Minister for the third time.

• He was recently released on bail by the high court in an alleged money laundering case.

Political Transition:

• Hemant Soren staked his claim before Governor CP Radhakrishnan following Champai Soren’s resignation.

• Champai Soren, known as"Jharkhand Tiger," served as the 12th Chief Minister after Hemant Soren's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31, 2024.

• Champai Soren represented the Seraikella assembly constituency.

Historical Context:

• Jharkhand has seen seven Chief Ministers since its formation on November 15, 2000.

• Babulal Marandi from the BJP Party was the first CM, taking office in November 2000.

• Jharkhand has been under President's rule twice for short periods.

• The major ruling parties in Jharkhand have been the BJP and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Party.

About Jharkhand

• Founded - 15 November 2000

• Before was - Part of Bihar

• Capital - Ranchi

• Chief minister - Hemant Soren

• Governor - C. P. Radhakrishnan

• Symbols of Jharkhand

  • Bird -  Koel

  • Flower - Palash

  • Mammal - Indian elephant

  • Tree - Sal

Dhirendra Ojha Appointed Director General of PIB

Tags: Person in news

Dhirendra Ojha appointed as Director General (DG) of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), replacing Sheyphali Sharan.

An Overview of the News

• Dhirendra Ojha will also serve as Principal DG (Media & Communication), PIB, New Delhi.

• Sheyphali B Sharan appointed as Director General of the Publications Division, New Delhi.

• The government has reshuffled seven Indian Information Service (IIS) officers, including the officer in charge of media and communication.

Other Key Appointments

• Y. K. Baweja has been appointed as DG of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), New Delhi.

• B. Narayanan has been appointed as DG of the New Media Wing (NMW), New Delhi, with the additional charge of the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC), New Delhi.

• Pragya Paliwal Gaur has been appointed as DG (Media & Communication), PIB, New Delhi, from the strength of PIB, Lucknow, to look after the Research Unit, PIB, New Delhi.

• Pushpinder Kaur has been appointed as ADG (Media & Communication), PIB, New Delhi, to oversee the work of the Election Commission of India, New Delhi.

• Shruti Ojha has been appointed as Assistant Director (News), DDK, Lucknow, upon completing training at IIMC, New Delhi.

Press Information Bureau (PIB):

• It was established in June 1919 at Shimla as a small unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the British Government.

• Its initial objective was to compile a report on India for presentation to the British Parliament.

• Dr. LF Rushbrook Williams of Allahabad University was the first head of the Publicity Cell and served as Officer on Special Duty. 

• In 1941, J Natarajanbecame the first Indianto lead theBureau as Principal Information Officer.

• In 1946the name of the organization was officially changed to thePress Information Bureau.

Justice Sheel Nagu Appointed as Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court

Tags: Person in news

The Centre notified the appointment of Justice Sheel Nagu as the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

An Overview of the News

• Justice Sheel Nagu was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

• He assumed this role after Chief Justice Ravi Malimath vacated the office on May 24, 2024.

New Appointment in Madhya Pradesh

• Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva has been appointed as the new Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Official Notification Details

• The official notification states: “The President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sheel Nagu, Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, to be the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.”

Supreme Court Collegium Recommendation

• Justice Nagu’s name was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium.

• The Collegium included Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai.

• The recommendation was made on December 28, 2023, following the retirement of Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha on October 13, 2023.

Context of the Appointment

• This is the second high-profile judicial appointment cleared by the Centre in two days.

• The Centre had also cleared the appointment of Justice BR Sarangi as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on July 3.

• Both recommendations had been pending for over six months before being approved.