DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 30, 2022

Kerala tops in 2021 Assembly Sittings

Tags: National News

According to PRS Legislative Research (PRS), Kerala, which slipped to eighth place in the state assembly sittings in 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, ranks first in 2021.

Important facts

• The Kerala Legislative Assembly met for 61 days in 2021, the highest for any state.

• Kerala's performance in 2021 was impressive as the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in this year was higher as compared to the year 2000.

• Between 2016 and 2019, Kerala had the distinction of being at the top with an average sitting of 53 days.

• The state legislature, Kerala (Left Democratic Front in power since May 2016) promulgated 144 ordinances, the highest in the country last year.

• Ordinances are promulgated by governments to take immediate action on any urgent matter during the intervening period of two sessions of the legislature.

Other states

• Kerala was followed by Odisha - 43 days, Karnataka - 40 days and Tamil Nadu - 34 days.

• Sittings in 28 state legislatures and one union territory legislature took place for less than 20 days.

• Of them, five - Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Delhi Vidhan Sabhas - met for less than 10 days.

• The figures for Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Punjab were 17, 16 and 11 respectively.

• Andhra Pradesh with 20 ordinances and Maharashtra with 15 followed Kerala, wherein Bills replacing 33 ordinances became Acts.

• Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh also issued ordinances to give effect to budget proposals.

• Education was 21% among the subjects covered in the bills passed in 2021, followed by taxation - 12%, local government - 10%, and land and law and order - 4%.

The minimum sitting rule

• Manipur, Odisha, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have laid down a minimum number of sitting days through the Rules of Procedure, varying from 40 days in Punjab to 90 days in Uttar Pradesh.

• The minimum sitting should be 60 days as per the conduct of business of Karnataka Government in the State Legislature Act.

PM Modi inaugurates India’s first international bullion exchange at GIFT city, Gandhinagar

Tags: Economy/Finance State News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 July launched 'India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX)', the country's first international bullion exchange near Gandhinagar.

Important facts

• He visited India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) on 29 July.

• Gandhinagar’s GIFT city is an international financial services hub set up by the Gujarat government outside the State capital. 

• The exchange will facilitate efficient price discovery with responsible sourcing and quality assurance, besides promoting financialization of gold in India.

• India is the second largest consumer of gold in the world and the establishment of IIBX is seen as India's effort to bring transparency in the market for this precious metal.

• In addition, setting up of IIBX could lead to standard pricing of gold in the country and make it easier for small bullion dealers and jewellers to trade the precious metal.

India, a leading importer of bullion

• India is a major importer of the metal and imported 1,069 tonnes of gold in 2021, up from 430 tonnes in 2020.

• Currently, only designated banks and agencies approved by the Reserve Bank of India in the country can import gold and sell it to dealers and jewellers across the country.

Foundation stone of IFSCA

• PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the headquarters building of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).

• IFSCA is the country’s first and only IFSC in line with those in UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong. 

• IFSCA will support innovation and also act as a catalyst for growth opportunities in the financial services sector in the country.

Assam’s Manas Reserve has more tigresses than tigers

Tags: National News

According to the annual wildlife monitoring of trans-boundary wildlife preserve the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam has 2.4 tigresses for every tiger.

Important facts

• According to the latest camera trapping assessment done by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), this vital tiger habitat area of 536.22 sq km has 52 adult tigers along with eight cubs.

• The assessment states that 29 tigers were earlier, while 23 new tigers have been reported.

• The gender of 27 tigers can be ascertained precisely - eight of them are male and 19 are female i.e. sex ratio of 1:2.4.

Manas Tiger Reserve

• Manas Tiger Reserve is located in the State of Assam in North-East India.

• It is a biodiversity hotspot, covering an area of 39,100 hectares, it spans the Manas river and is bounded to the north by the forests of Bhutan.

• It was declared a sanctuary on 1 October, 1928 and was designated a World Heritage site in December 1985. 

• It is home to a wide variety of wildlife like tiger, golden langur, wild buffalo, hispid hare, pygmy hog, capped langur, Indian one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, gaur, hog deer, etc.

• It is known for its Project Tigers, Rhinos & Elephants, and is Assam's one of the two Tiger projects. 

Core sector output expands by 12.7% in June

Tags: Economy/Finance

According to official data the output of eight core infrastructure sectors expanded by 12.7 per cent in June against 9.4 per cent in the year-ago period.

Important facts 

• The output growth of eight infrastructure sectors – coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity – stood at 19.3 per cent in May 2022.

• Production of coal, refinery products, fertilisers, cement and electricity grew by 31.1%, 15.1%, 8.2%, 19.4% and 15.5%, respectively, in June.

• Crude oil production contracted by 1.7%.

• Growth in natural gas and steel production declined to 1.2% and 3.3%.

Core Sector Industries in India

• The core industries have a major impact on general economic activities and industrial activities.

• They significantly impact most other industries and represents the capital base of the economy.

• The combined share of these eight industries in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is more than 40%.

• These eight core sectors are - electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilizers.

About Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

• It is an index of India that details the development of various sectors such as mineral mining, power and manufacturing in an economy.

• The All India IIP is a composite indicator that measures short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products over a given period.

• Base year of IIP is 2011-2012.

• NSO compiles the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) using secondary data received from 14 source agencies in various Ministries/Departments or their attached/subordinate offices.

What are Strategic Sectors?

• These are -

1. Atomic energy, space and defence

2. Transport and telecommunications

3. Power, petroleum, coal and other minerals and

4. Banking, insurance and financial services

UN declares access to clean and healthy environment a universal human right

Tags: International News

The United Nations General Assembly in a historic resolution declared on 29 July that everyone on the planet has a right to live in a clean and healthy environment.

Important facts

• The General Assembly said that climate change and environmental degradation are the most serious threats to humanity in the future.

• It called on states to step up efforts to ensure that their people have access to a "clean, healthy and sustainable environment".

• The resolution recognizes the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right, which must be essential for the full enjoyment of all human rights.

• Member States can unite in a collective fight against the scourge of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

• This declaration highlights almost all the rights related to the health of our environment.

• The resolution is not legally binding on the 193 UN Member States including India.

Historic resolution after 50 years

• 50 years ago, the United Nations Conference on the Environment in Stockholm concluded with a resolution that put environmental issues at the forefront of the global stage.

• Today, more than 176 countries have adopted laws related to the environment on its basis.

• After the Stockholm Declaration of 1972, these rights have been integrated into constitutions, national laws and regional agreements.

• In October 2021, it was recognized by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

• This Healthy environment right was not included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.

• It is a historic resolution that will change the nature of international human rights law.

Other steps by UN general assembly

• On 28 July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the right to water and sanitation through its resolution.

• The Assembly stated that clean drinking water and sanitation “are essential to the realisation of all human rights”.

• In response, governments around the world have changed their laws and regulations regarding water and sanitation.

PM launches Power Sector’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme

Tags: National News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Power Ministry’s flagship Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme on 30 July.

Important facts

• PM Modi also unveiled the scheme ‘Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya - Power @2047’  through video conferencing.

• During the programme, the Prime Minister dedicated and also laid the foundation stone for various green energy projects of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited worth over Rs 5,200 crore.

• He inaugurated the 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar Project in Telangana and the 92 MW Kayamkulam Floating Solar Project in Kerala.

• Modi also laid the foundation stone for the 735 MW Nokh Solar Project in Rajasthan, Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh and Kawas Green Hydrogen Blending Project with Natural Gas in Gujarat.

• He launched the National Solar Rooftop Portal, which will enable online tracking of the process of installation of rooftop solar plants.

About the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme

• It aims to improve operational efficiency and financial stability of Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and power departments.

• It is being implemented with an outlay of over Rs 3 lakh crore over a period of five years from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26.

• The scheme envisages providing financial assistance to DISCOMs for modernization and strengthening of distribution infrastructure with a focus on improving the reliability and quality of supply to the end consumers.

HCL’s Roshni Nadar Malhotra is richest woman in India

Tags: National News

According to the recently released Hurun Rich List 2021, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of the country's top IT company HCL Technologies, has become the richest woman in India.

Important facts

• Roshni Nadar's assets have increased by 54% and with this increase, his net worth has gone up to Rs 84,330 crore.

• Falguni Nair- Falguni Nair, founder and CEO of beauty brand Nyka is second in this list. Her wealth has increased by 963% and with this increase her net worth has gone up to Rs 57,520 crore.

• Kiran Mazumdar Shaw - Founder and CEO of Biocon Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is at number three in the list, her net worth is Rs 29,030 crore.

• Neelima Motaparti - Director of the Commercial Department of Divi's Laboratories is at number four in this list, her total assets have gone up to Rs 28,180 crore.

Other things in the report 

• The Kotak Private Banking-Hurun list included 100 women who were born or raised in India and actively managing their own businesses.

• Delhi-NCR has the highest number of 25 women in the list. It is followed by Mumbai (21) and Hyderabad (12).

• Talking about industries, 12 of the top 100 richest women in India are from the pharmaceutical sector, 11 from the health care sector and nine from the consumer goods sector.

• Kanika Tekriwal (33 years) of Bhopal-based JetSetGo is the youngest woman on the list.

• The total assets of these 100 women included in the list increased by 53 percent to Rs 4.16 lakh crore in 2021 from Rs 2.72 lakh crore in 2020.

• These women contribute two percent to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Govt launches 11th agricultural census 2021-22

Tags: Economy/Finance

Recently the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has started the "Eleventh Edition" of the Agriculture Census to be conducted every 5 years.

Eleventh Agricultural Census

• Agriculture census work will start in August 2022.

• For the first time, the data collection for Agriculture Census will be done on smartphones and tablets, so that the data is available in a timely manner.

It includes 

• Use of digital land records such as land title records and survey reports.

• Collection of data through app/software using smartphone/tablet.

• Enumeration of all villages in non-land record states during Phase-I as done in land record states.

• Real time monitoring of progress and processing.

• Operating Authority: Agriculture Census is conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture.

Agricultural census

• Agriculture Census is conducted every 5 years, which is being conducted late this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The entire census is conducted in three phases and the operational ownership for data collection is viewed as a statistical unit at the micro level.

• Based on the Agriculture Census data collected in three phases, the department presents three detailed reports analysing trends on various parameters at all India and State/UT level.

• District/Tehsil level reports are prepared by the respective States/UTs.

• The first agricultural census was conducted in the year 1970-71.

Indian Navy gets two MH-60R choppers from US

Tags: Defence

The US has started the supply of MH-60R multirole helicopters to India under foreign military sales at an estimated cost of USD 2.4 billion.

Important facts

• Recently, US officials handed over the first consignment of two MH-60R helicopters to the Indian Navy at the Cochin International Airport.

• India will receive the third helicopter in August 2022.

• India has signed a deal to buy 24 MH-60R helicopters from the US for its navy. The deal will be completed by 2025.

• In 2019, the US approved the sale of 24 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters to India under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

About MH 60 Romeo 

• MH 60 Romeo is a multi mission helicopter.

• It is built by Sikorsky Aircraft.

• It is considered one of the most advanced maritime helicopters in the world.

• Three crew members are needed to fly it. It can also carry five passengers.

• The US Navy uses it.

• This helicopter can be used for multiple missions including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search-and-Rescue (SAR), Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS), Surveillance, Communication Relay, Logistics Support .

• It is equipped with a Sonobuoy launcher and Raytheon AN/AQS-22 Advanced Airborne Low-Frequency (ALFS) Dipping Sonar for submarine detection.

• Once the submarine is detected, it can destroy it with its Mk 46 and Mk 50 torpedoes.

• It uses the AGM-119 Penguin and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles against warships and ships.

Point 5140 at Dras sector named as Gun Hill

Tags: Defence National News

Point 5140 in Dras, Kargil Sector has been renamed as Gun Hill, to celebrate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces and to pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice of the Gunners in "Operation Vijay".

Important facts

• The Artillery Regiment of the Indian Army, with lethal and precise firepower, was able to make an impressive impact on the enemy troops including Point 5140, which was a key factor in the early completion of the operation.

• Captain Vikram Batra captured 'Gun Hill' on 20 June 1999 on the strength of the valour of his comrades and hoisted the Indian tricolour.

• The Army has now renamed Point 5140 hill in Dras sector as 'Gun Hill' in memory of the decisive role of Bofors-like cannon and gunners in the victory of Kargil war.

Operation Vijay (Kargil War)

• The Kargil War, popularly known as 'Operation Vijay', began on 3 May 1999 and ended on 26 July 1999.

• It was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place in the Kargil district of Ladakh and other places along the Line of Control (LoC).

• It was fought for over 60 days (between May and July 1999) and finally India regained control of all its territories.

• In the 60-day long struggle, the victory of Tiger Hill was one of the significant achievements.

International Friendship Day

Tags: Important Days

International Friendship Day is celebrated every year on 30 July to celebrate friendship as well as promote the idea of meeting new people and making friends.

Important facts

• Countries of the world celebrate friendship day twice.

• Countries like Bangladesh, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, including India, celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August every year.

History of International Friendship Day

• The day was first proposed in 1958 by an international civil organisation - the World Friendship Crusade.

• In the 65th United Nations session held in the year 2011, July 30 was officially fixed for International Friendship Day.

• International Day of Friendship is an initiative taken by UNESCO to spread the culture of peace.

• Theme of International Day of Friendship 2022: Sharing the human spirit through friendship.

Significance of International Friendship Day

• It is a celebration of the bond of friendship between people. 

• Many people use the phrase 'friends like family' to describe friends who are very close to their family.

• This phrase is an expression of the feeling of appreciation towards dearest friends.