1. Govt to set up Bima Sugam portal to address existing protection gap across general insurance business
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha on 13 February, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government will set up a Bima Sugam portal.
An overview of the news
The portal will address the existing protection gap across life, health and general insurance businesses in the country.
According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the portal will be the infrastructure of an insurance market where insurers, distribution networks and policy holders will meet virtually on a seamless digital platform.
The portal is expected to improve the accessibility and ease of purchasing insurance for policyholders.
It will also serve as a readymade digital platform for insurers and distribution networks.
2. Around 39 crore loans extended under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana till Jan 27
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Minister of State for Finance, Dr Bhagawat Karad said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on February 13 that till January 27, 2023, about 39 crore loans have been given under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
An overview of the news
Out of this, more than 26 crore loans have been given to women entrepreneurs and about 20 crore loans to SC, ST and OBC borrowers.
This scheme has helped in creating one crore 12 lakh net additional employment in the country from 2015 to 2018.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
It was launched on 8 April 2015.
Under the scheme, the people of the country are given loans up to a maximum of 10 lakhs to start their own small business.
Any person who wants to further his business can take a loan under this scheme.
People are issued a Mudra card to avail loans under this scheme.
The loans are provided through Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Micro Financial Institutions (MFIs), and other financial intermediaries.
More than 64 per cent of the loan accounts opened under the scheme are of women.
Three types of loans under Mudra Yojana
Under this scheme, three types of loans are given in Shishu, Kishore and Tarun.
Shishu- Loans up to Rs.50,000.
Kishor - Loans above Rs.50,000 and less than Rs.5 lakh.
Tarun - Loans above Rs.5 lakh and up to Rs.10 lakh.
3. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Asia's biggest air show Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru
Tags: Summits National News
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India show in Bengaluru on 13 February.
An overview of the news
The 14th edition of Aero India 2023 is being organised by the Indian Department of Defense Production from February 13 to 17 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The theme of the five-day event is ‘The Runway to a Bllion Opportunities’.
The main objective of the event is to promote indigenous production and exports of aerial platforms and attract foreign investment.
98 countries are participating in the event and MoUs worth Rs 75,000 crore are expected to be signed during the event.
Defence Ministers' Conference, CEOs' Round Table, Brainstorm Startup Event, India and Karnataka Pavilion and an Air Show are the highlights of the event.
In the India Pavilion section, 115 Indian companies will display 227 products made in India.
LCA Tejas Mark 1 is the main attraction of these products.
Made in India Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv Mark III and IV, Light Combat Helicopter Prachanda participating in HAL's HTT 40 Trainer Air Show.
Significance of Aero India 2023
The event will promote the export of indigenous air platforms - Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
The event will help integrate domestic MSMEs and start-ups into the global supply chain.
It will attract foreign investment including partnership for co-development and co-production.
This event will make a significant contribution to the development of the aerospace and aviation sector.
4. Govt to borrow ₹13,879 crore to strengthen health infra from international agencies
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Minister of State for Health, Dr Bharti Pawar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha said that the Government of India has signed loan agreements worth Rs 13,879 crore from international agencies to strengthen health infrastructure.
An overview of the news
With whom the loan agreement has been signed are-
1. Asian Development Bank (ADB) ($300 million or Rs 2,474 crore).
2. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (50 billion Japanese yen or Rs 3,162 crore)
3. World Bank ($1 billion or Rs 8,243 crore)
This loan has been taken to strengthen the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) which is the largest health mission in India.
PMABHIM was launched to fill the gaps in the field of health infrastructure, especially critical and primary care facilities.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission
It is one of the biggest health schemes to strengthen the health care infrastructure in India.
The mission was announced in the Budget 2021-22 with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore.
It was launched in October 2021 with an aim to provide comprehensive health services across the country.
It aims to fill gaps in public healthcare infrastructure, especially in critical care facilities and primary care in urban and rural areas.
5. Digital economy working group meeting of G20 to be held in Lucknow
Tags: Summits National News
As part of India's G20 chairmanship, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will organise the first Digital Economy Working Group meeting in Lucknow from February 13-15.
An overview of the news
This year three defined areas will be discussed with representatives from all 20 countries.
The first is digital public infrastructure in which India has done a lot of work in this area with schemes like UPI, UIDAI, Diksha, Kovin, eSanjeevani and other apps developed in the Covid era.
Cyber security will be another important aspect of the meeting.
The third issue that will be discussed is digital skilling.
India is launching various projects in this area and providing skills through PM-DISHA and Future Prime Skills with NASSCOM, which is the National Association of Software and Service Companies.
During the meeting on the first day, side events will be organized which will showcase the work done by the State and Central Governments.
The Digital Economy Working Group was first introduced at the G20 in 2017.
Four workshops focussing on digital public infrastructure
Sharing implementation experiences of digital identity in various countries.
Sharing of cyber security solutions for MSMEs.
Digital public infrastructure to boost attainment of sustainable development goals and use of geo-spatial technologies for infrastructure.
Product development in the digital economy.
Global Digital Economy
The global digital economy is currently estimated at US$11 trillion and is expected to reach US$23 trillion by 2025.
Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) plays a critical role in shaping the global policy discourse in the digital space.
6. Nikos Christodoulides elected as the new president of Cyprus
Tags: Person in news International News
Former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides was elected President of Cyprus on 13 February after a second and final round of voting.
An overview of the news
Christodoulides, 49, won 51.9% of the vote, while his opponent Andreas Mavroyanis, 66, took 48.1%.
More than 72.4 percent of people voted in Cyprus this time, which is higher than before.
He was appointed Government Spokesperson in 2014 and Foreign Minister in 2018.
Christodoulides is supported by the Democratic Party, the Movement for Social Democracy and the Democratic Alignment.
Cyprus was divided in 1974, when Turkish forces occupied the northern part in response to a Greek-sponsored coup d'état.
Since then the current issue between Cyprus and Turkey is the ongoing dispute between the Greek Cypriots in the south and the Turkish Cypriots in the north.
Republic of Cyprus
It is an island European country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It gained its Independence from Britain in 1960.
The country has a majority population which are of Greece descent while the minority population are of Turkish origin.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and created a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983.
Except Turkey no country recognises Turkish Cyprus.
India also recognises the Cyprus government.
Capital: Nicosia
Currency: Euro
President: Nikos Christodoulides
7. Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates AMRIPTEX 2023
Tags: National News
The Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated AMRITPEX 2023 - National Philatelic Exhibition on 11 February in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
This five day Mahakumbh of Stamps (11th to 15th February, 2023) in Hall 5, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, is being organized as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations.
The themes of the exhibition include Amrit Mahotsav of Independence and New India, women power, youth power, nature and wildlife, and culture and history of India.
The Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan, Secretary, Department of Posts, Vineet Pandey, Director General Postal Services, Alok Sharma were present on the occasion.
Commemorative Postage Stamp
The Department of Posts also released a commemorative postage stamp on the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.
This stamp has been prepared from the best entries of the National Comprehensive Design Competition in which more than 4 lakh students participated.
The competition was organised on an all India basis in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
India Post
India Post is the central postal system of India and was established on 1 April 1854.
It works under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
India's postal system is one of the most widely distributed networks in the world.
India is divided into 23 postal circles headed by the Chief Postmaster.
Postal Index Number is a 6 digit code of post office introduced on 15 August 1972.
The Department of Posts has transformed into a digital network for banking, service delivery and social security payment network.
India Post has become vital to the common people in the fields of services, banking and insurance through a dense network of 1.5 lakh postal branches across the country, especially for rural India.
It is quite popular in rural India as it is one of the oldest institutes in India in terms of better service.
8. President Draupadi Murmu appoints new governors in 13 states
Tags: National National News
President Droupadi Murmu appointed 13 new Governors while accepting the resignations of Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Governor of Maharashtra and of Radha Krishnan Mathur as Lt. Governor of Ladakh on 12 February.
The fresh appointments
Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, (Retired) Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Sikkim
C P Radhakrishnan, Governor of Jharkhand
Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Himachal Pradesh
S. Abdul Nazeer, Governor of Andhra Pradesh
Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Assam
Change of states of some current governors
Justice (Retd) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh appointed as Governor of Chhattisgarh.
Anusuiya Uikye, Governor of Chhattisgarh appointed as Governor of Manipur.
La. Ganesan, Governor of Manipur appointed as Governor of Nagaland.
Phagu Chauhan, Governor of Bihar appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Himachal Pradesh appointed as Governor of Bihar.
Ramesh Bais, Governor of Jharkhand appointed as Governor of Maharashtra.
Brig (Dr) B D Mishra (Retd), Governor of Arunachal Pradesh appointed as Lt. Governor of Ladakh.
How are Governors appointed?
Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be a Governor for each State.”
According to Article 155 "the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal".
Under Article 156, "the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President", but his term shall be five years.
Articles 157 and 158 lay down the qualifications and terms of office of the Governor.
The Governor must be a citizen of India and must have completed 35 years of age.
The Governor should not be a member of Parliament or State Legislature, and should not hold any other office of profit.
The position of Governor is envisaged as a political head who has to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the State.
Related Constitutional Articles
Article 153- Governors of states
Article 154- Executive power of state
Article 155- Appointment of Governor
Article 156- Term of office of Governor
Article 157- Qualifications for appointment as Governor
Article 158- Conditions of Governor’s office
Article 159- Oath or affirmation by the Governor
Article 160- Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies
Article 161- Power of the Governor to grant pardons and others
Article 162- Extent of executive power of state
Article 163- Council of ministers to aid and advise the Governor
9. President Draupadi Murmu appoints new governors in 13 states
Tags: National National News
President Droupadi Murmu appointed 13 new Governors while accepting the resignations of Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Governor of Maharashtra and of Radha Krishnan Mathur as Lt. Governor of Ladakh on 12 February.
The fresh appointments
Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, (Retired) Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Sikkim
C P Radhakrishnan, Governor of Jharkhand
Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Himachal Pradesh
S. Abdul Nazeer, Governor of Andhra Pradesh
Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Assam
Change of states of some current governors
Justice (Retd) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh appointed as Governor of Chhattisgarh.
Anusuiya Uikye, Governor of Chhattisgarh appointed as Governor of Manipur.
La. Ganesan, Governor of Manipur appointed as Governor of Nagaland.
Phagu Chauhan, Governor of Bihar appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Himachal Pradesh appointed as Governor of Bihar.
Ramesh Bais, Governor of Jharkhand appointed as Governor of Maharashtra.
Brig (Dr) B D Mishra (Retd), Governor of Arunachal Pradesh appointed as Lt. Governor of Ladakh.
How are Governors appointed?
Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be a Governor for each State.”
According to Article 155 "the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal".
Under Article 156, "the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President", but his term shall be five years.
Articles 157 and 158 lay down the qualifications and terms of office of the Governor.
The Governor must be a citizen of India and must have completed 35 years of age.
The Governor should not be a member of Parliament or State Legislature, and should not hold any other office of profit.
The position of Governor is envisaged as a political head who has to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the State.
Related Constitutional Articles
Article 153- Governors of states
Article 154- Executive power of state
Article 155- Appointment of Governor
Article 156- Term of office of Governor
Article 157- Qualifications for appointment as Governor
Article 158- Conditions of Governor’s office
Article 159- Oath or affirmation by the Governor
Article 160- Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies
Article 161- Power of the Governor to grant pardons and others
Article 162- Extent of executive power of state
Article 163- Council of ministers to aid and advise the Governor
10. Moldov's PM Natalia Gavrilita resigns
Tags: Person in news International News
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita announced her resignation on 10 February.
An overview of the news
She resigned, citing lack of support in the former Soviet republic. She was in power only for 18 months.
Moldova's President Maia Sandu has accepted Gavrilita's resignation and said she will speak to parliamentary groups about a possible replacement.
Ms. Gavrilita's party won a majority in the elections held in August 2021.
The next prime minister of Moldova could be Dorin Risen, a European security adviser who is a supporter of Sandu.
Rieken is expected to be approved as the country's prime minister without interference.
Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of 2.5 million people, is already facing a host of issues such as rising inflation, a massive influx of refugees from Ukraine and a severe energy crisis in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Moscow significantly reduced its electricity supply to Moldova.
Last year alone, the country saw protests against a dramatic increase in prices, particularly for Russian gas.
About Moldova
Moldova is located between Ukraine and Romania.
Capital: Chișinău
President: Maia Sandu
Official Language : Romanian
Currency : Moldovan leu
