1. Four day Meeting of G20 Development Working Group under India's Presidency begins in Mumbai
Tags: National Summits National News
The G20 Development Working Group (DWG) under India's Presidency began in Mumbai on 13 December.
Important facts
The meeting will take place in Mumbai on 13-16 December. G20 Members, guest countries and invited international organisations would be attending the meeting in person.
India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant addressed the delegates at the inaugural session.
He said, the Government of India has tried to bring better data governance and has launched several initiatives like Data Governance Quality Index.
The group is part of the G20’s sherpa track and is one of the first working groups to be created in 2010.
The Indian presidency will hold two events - “Data for Development: Role of G20 in advancing the 2030 Agenda" and “Infusing new LiFE into Green Development" - before the official meeting of the working group.
Review of SDG progress and G20’s efforts to achieve the SDG targets would be discussed at the DWG meeting.
In the context of green development, focus areas would include climate finance and technology, as well as just energy transitions for developing countries.
With a human-centred approach to technology, tech-enabled development in sectors ranging from agriculture to education will also be discussed.
The meeting will highlight women's empowerment and representation including efforts to bring women forward and in key positions to promote socio-economic development and achievement of SDGs.
2. Ministry of Power to celebrate “Energy Conservation Day 2022”
Tags: Important Days National News
.jpg)
Ministry of Power to celebrate “Energy Conservation Day 2022” on the occasion of the National Energy Conservation Day on 14th December 2022. The purpose is to showcase the achievements of the nation in energy efficiency and conservation.
Important facts
Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India will be the Chief Guest of the event. R. K. Singh, Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy will address the event.
Hon'ble President of India will felicitate the winners of National Energy Conservation Awards, National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards, National Painting Competition Awards and also launch the EV Travel Portal on the occasion.
Major attractions of the event
National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2022
National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards (NEEIA) 2022
National painting competition for school children 2022
Launch of ‘EV-Yatra portal’ and mobile app
Session on emerging new technologies in the area of energy efficiency
EV-YATRA PORTAL and Mobile App
The Mobile application titled “EV Yatra” has been designed and developed to facilitate in-vehicle navigation to the nearest public EV charger.
This mobile application can be easily downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store on Android and iPhone smartphones.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has developed this mobile application to facilitate in-vehicle navigation.
3. Govt blocked Pakistan-based OTT app for showing anti-India content
Tags: National News
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has blocked Pakistan-based OTT Platform Vidly TV and four social media accounts for displaying anti-India content on 12 December.
Important facts
Utilising emergency powers under IT Rules 2021, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry issued directions to block the website, two mobile applications, four social media accounts, and one smart TV app of Pakistan-based OTT platform Vidly TV.
Vidly TV recently released a web series - 'Sevak: The Confessions'.
The web series was found to be "prejudicial to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, India's friendly relations with foreign states and public order".
Three episodes of the web series have been released.
Its first episode was aired on 26 November, the anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and the content shows a "distorted version of sensitive historical events relating to India".
The web series portrayed anti-India narrative on sensitive topics like Operation Bluestar, demolition of Babri Masjid, murder of Christian missionary Graham Staines, Malegaon blast, Samjhauta Express blast, and inter-state river water dispute.
In September, the broadcasting ministry directed YouTube to remove 45 videos from 10 of its channels.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister - Anurag Singh Thakur
4. India, Poland hold 10th round of Foreign Office Consultations in Warsaw
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Poland held the 10th round of Foreign Office Consultations in Warsaw on December 12.
Important facts
During the meeting, the two sides discussed regional and international issues, including developments in the Indo-Pacific, India's neighbourhood, the Ukraine conflict, cooperation in multilateral fora including the United Nations, and United Nations Security Council reforms.
During the meeting, India and Poland identified agriculture, food processing, information technology and green transformation as areas of interest to further enhance bilateral ties.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the discussions at the sixth round of the India-Poland Joint Commission Meeting on Economic Cooperation to be held in October 2022.
The Indian side in the meeting was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs.
Both countries agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations on mutually convenient dates in New Delhi.
Bilateral Trade
The two nations noted the potential of bilateral trade and investment ties.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bilateral trade between India and Poland has witnessed steady growth in recent years and it stood at USD 4.3 billion in 2021.
Indian companies have invested over USD 3 billion in Poland while Polish investments in India stand at USD 700 million.
About Poland
Prime Minister - Mateusz Morawiecki
President - Andrzej Duda
Capital - Warsaw
Currency - Polish zloty
5. Culture Ministry set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres to conserve, develop art, culture & crafts across country
Tags: National News
For the preservation and development of arts, culture and crafts across the country, the Union Ministry of Culture has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centers (ZCCs) at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.
Important facts
These centres aim to conserve and develop art, culture and crafts across the country.
The government provides regular annual grant-in-aid for conducting various activities and programmes to ZCCs.
However, no State and Union Territory wise funds are released by the Ministry for the purpose.
This information was given by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy while replying to a question in the Lok Sabha.
ZCCs organize a minimum 42 Regional Festivals for promotion of art and culture every year as per their programme calendar.
These centers also implement a number of schemes for preservation and promotion of various folk arts and culture of the country.
Union Minister of Culture - G. Kishan Reddy
6. Parliament passes Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
Tags: National News
-Bill%2C-2022.jpg)
Parliament passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 with the approval of Rajya Sabha on 12 December. The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill.
Highlight of the bill
This bill has been brought to amend the Energy Conservation Act of 2001.
It promotes energy efficiency and conservation.
The Bill empowers the Center to specify a carbon credit trading scheme.
The legislation also stipulates that designated consumers may be required to meet a proportion of their energy needs from non-fossil sources.
The Energy Conservation Code for Buildings will be applicable to office and residential buildings with a connected load of 100 kW or more.
It provides for increasing the membership in the Governing Council of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
Empowers the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to frame rules for the smooth discharge of their functions.
Enacts enabling provisions to mandate the use of clean energy, including green hydrogen, and to establish a carbon market.
The Bill seeks to mandate the use of non-fossil sources for energy and feedstock, including green hydrogen, green ammonia, biomass and ethanol.
Why was this bill introduced?
During the COP-26 summit in 2021, India made relevant commitments for energy efficiency efforts.
In this backdrop, the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2022.
7. UAE successfully launches first ever Arab-Built lunar spacecraft
Tags: Science and Technology International News
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 11 December carried into space the first ever Arab-built lunar spacecraft. It was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Important facts
Named as Rashid Rover was built by Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is being delivered by the HAKUTO-R lander, engineered by Japanese lunar exploration company ispace.
If the landing is successful, HAKUTO-R will also become the first commercial spacecraft ever to make a controlled landing on the moon.
Rashid rover will provide 'novel and highly valued data, images, and insights,' as well as 'collect scientific data on matters relating to the origin of the solar system, our planet and life.'
Its rover weighs just 22 pounds (10 kg) and will work on the surface for about 10 days.
8. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) acquires OZiva and Wellbeing Nutrition
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
-acquires-OZiva-and-Wellbeing-Nutrition_rVCJ2DI.jpg)
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) major Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced the acquisition of two D2C brands - OZiva and Wellbeing Nutrition. With the acquisition, the company will foray into the health and well-being category.
Important facts
HUL will acquire 51% equity interest in OZiva for Rs 264 crore in the first tranche, while the remaining 49% will be received at the end of a three-year period based on a pre-agreed valuation.
In addition, HUL will buy a 19.8% stake in Wellbeing Nutrition for approximately Rs 70 crore.
These strategic investments allow HUL to enter the fast-growing health and wellbeing category.
The deal also marks the beginning of the brand's consolidation in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) market.
Last year, Tata Consumer acquired a 100% stake in Kottaram Agro Foods – manufacturer of the Soulfull brand of millet-based breakfast cereals and snacks.
The vegetarian food category is an emerging segment in India and is worth around 2,000 crores as over 250 startups have entered this space in the last few years.
The health and wellness segment in India has a total potential market size of Rs 30,000 crore as per Euromonitor data.
9. Nepal organises 19th Handicraft Trade Fair and 17th Craft Competition in Kathmandu
Tags: International News
The Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) organised 19th Handicraft Trade Fair and 17th Craft Competition in Kathmandu from December 9 to 13.
Important facts
The objective of this trade fair is to promote the development and market of handicraft products.
The basic objective of the event is to emphasise the need to preserve and protect the traditional arts, which are in danger of disappearing with the advent of modern technology.
Businessmen and sculptors from 17 districts, including the Kathmandu Valley, participated in the fair, in which about 150 stalls were set up.
This trade fair is attracting local people as well as foreign tourists.
10. US prints first banknotes with women's signatures
Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news International News
The U.S. The Treasury (United States of America's Finance Ministry) has printed the first US banknotes (currency notes) with two women's signatures. The new currency notes of $1 and $5 value carry the signature of the Secretary of Treasury (American Finance Minister) Janet Yellen and Lynn Malerba. The United States currency notes are popularly called as Greenback.
Lynn Malerba is Native American and is the chief of the Mohegan Tribe, who holds the position of Treasurer of the United States within the Department of Treasury, United States government.
Janet Yellen is a former chairman of the United States Central Bank, Federal Reserve of New York. She was the first female head of the Federal Reserve.
In the United States the currency notes are printed by the Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve decides how much currency notes will be printed.
The Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing has note printing facilities at Fort Worth, Texas and another in Washington.
India
In India the government of India issues currency notes of one Rupees and the Coins under the Coinage act 1906(as amended in 2011).
Notes in the denomination of Rs 2 to Rs 10,000 are issued by the Reserve Bank of India under the Reserve Bank of India act 1934.
In India Currency notes issued by the RBI are called bank notes. The Bank notes are signed by the governor of RBI. Till date there has been no women governor in RBI.
The One rupee note is signed by the Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
Printing of notes in India
Bank notes are printed at four currency presses, two of which are owned by the Government of India through its Corporation, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL) and two are owned by the Reserve Bank, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd. (BRBNMPL).
The currency presses of SPMCIL are at Nasik (Maharashtra) and Dewas (Madhya Pradesh).
The two presses of BRBNMPL are at Mysuru (Karnataka) and Salboni (West Bengal).
