1. India's Indermit Gill appointed Chief Economist of World Bank
Tags: Person in news
The World Bank has appointed Indian citizen Indermit Gill as its Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Development Economics.
Important facts
Gill will replace American economist Carmen Reinhart and his appointment will be effective from September 1, 2022.
Gill is currently Vice President of Equitable Development, Finance and Institutions, where he led work on macroeconomics, credit, trade, poverty and governance.
Gill will be the second Indian to serve as the Chief Economist at the World Bank. Kaushik Basu was the first Indian to hold the position from 2012-2016.
Raghuram Rajan and Gita Gopinath have served as chief economists at the International Monetary Fund, a subsidiary of the World Bank.
Between 2016 and 2021, Gill was Professor of Public Policy at Duke University and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution.
Gill has also taught at Georgetown University and the University of Chicago.
Gill holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago.
Gill holds an MA from Delhi School of Economics and a BA (Hons) in Economics from St Stephen's College, University of Delhi.
About World Bank
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund were established together in 1944 during the Bretton Woods Conference in New Hampshire, USA.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is also called the World Bank.
At present, 189 countries are members of the World Bank.
Its headquarter is in Washington DC, the capital of America.
The World Bank Group is a group of the following five international organisations that provide economic-financial assistance and financial advice to member countries-
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
International Finance Corporation
international development association
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
President- David Malpass
CEO- Anshula Kant
2. India And Namibia Sign MoU For Wildlife Conservation
Tags: National International News
India and Namibia on 20 July signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Biodiversity Use to place the Cheetah in the Historic Category in India.
Thrust areas of the MoU
Biodiversity conservation with a special focus on the conservation and restoration of cheetahs in areas where they became extinct.
Exchange of expertise and capabilities with the aim of promoting cheetah conservation between the two countries.
Wildlife conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by sharing good practices
Technological applications, mechanisms of livelihood generation for local communities living in wildlife habitats and sustainable management of biodiversity.
Cooperation in climate change, environmental governance, environmental impact assessment, pollution and waste management and other areas of mutual interest.
Training and exchange of trained personnel in wildlife management including sharing of technical expertise, wherever relevant.
About Cheetah
The cheetah is one of the oldest of the big cat species, whose ancestors can be traced back more than five million years to the Miocene era.
It is the world's fastest land mammal that lives in Africa and Asia.
Human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss and hunting and illegal trafficking are the reasons for their extinction in India.
Cheetah reintroduction project in India
The main goal of the project is to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator.
The surveys were conducted at 10 locations between 2010 and 2012.
Under this project, 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various national parks of the country over a period of 5 years.
3. The website of the Ministry of Home Affairs tops the service portals of the Union Ministry
Tags: National News
The website of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been ranked first under the Portal of Central Ministries in the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment.
Important facts
The Digital Police Portal of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the Central Mantralaya Services Portal has been ranked second in the assessment.
This evaluation was done by evaluating service portals with the portal of their parent Ministry/Department.
The government portals that were assessed were divided into two main categories - State/Union Territory/Central Ministry Portal and State/Union Territory/Central Ministry Service Portal.
Four parameters of assessment
Accessibility
Content availability
Ease of Use and Information Security
Privacy for Central Ministry Portals
National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment
The National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment was conducted in 2021 by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in association with knowledge partners NASSCOM and KPMG.
It is a periodic assessment aimed at improving the effectiveness of the States/UTs and the Central Government in the delivery of their online services to the citizens.
4. Chhattisgarh gets Centre’s nod for World Bank funded school project
Tags: State News
The Chhattisgarh government has received in-principle approval from the Centre for a $300 million (approximately ₹2,100 crore) school education project, funded by the World Bank to the state government.
What is the proposal?
A World Bank team will visit Chhattisgarh later this month for the first phase of talks.
The discussion on this proposal started two months ago, and was then sent to the Centre after the approval of the state finance department.
The World Bank will lend the Chhattisgarh government $300 million over a five-year period at interest far below market rates and repay it over a period of 20 years.
After assessment by the World Bank team, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared, which will be placed before the World Bank Board and the Centre for final approval.
The DPR will also have a detailed plan of how the money will be spent.
What is an in-principle nod?
This means that the Centre has no objection to the state borrowing from an external financial institution like the World Bank.
It is not a final nod, but it paves the way for the state to move forward with subsequent discussions.
Similarly, the World Bank has also given in-principle approval that it is ready to fund the project.
World Bank's association with India’s school education
The World Bank has been associated with India’s school education system since 1994.
The World Bank signed a $500 million Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS) with India in 2021 to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states.
However, Chhattisgarh is not included in that list.
5. PM Modi launches 'Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance' scheme
Tags: Economy/Finance Government Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance' (RAMP) scheme under the Entrepreneur India Program at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
RAMP Scheme
The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2022-23.
Recommendations for RAMP Scheme KV Kamath Committee, UK Sinha Committee and the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC).
It is a World Bank assisted central sector scheme under which the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) is providing necessary support to address the challenges related to COVID-19.
The total financial outlay for the RAMP scheme is Rs 6,062.45 crore ($808 million).
The World Bank will provide a loan of Rs 3750 crore ($500 million) for this program and the remaining Rs 2312.45 crore ($308 million) is being funded by the central government.
Program Objective
The objective of the scheme is to improve access to credit and markets, as well as strengthen institutions and governance in the state and at the Centre.
It will also look at improving Centre and State partnerships as well as resolving issues related to delayed payments.
MSME capacity will also be increased through this program and MSME coverage will also be increased in the states and union territories.
The scheme will promote skill development, capacity building, technology up-gradation, quality enhancement, outreach, digitization, marketing promotion etc.
Plan implementation and monitoring
Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) will be prepared for the implementation of RAMP and all the States and Union Territories of the country will be invited to provide inputs.
An outreach plan will be made to mobilise and identify MSMEs through SIPs.
The National MSME Council, which will be chaired by the Minister of MSME and comprising representatives from other ministries as well as a Secretariat, will monitor and evaluate the scheme.
6. "China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference"
Tags: Summits
Recently the first "China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference" was held in Ethiopia.
This is the first time that China aims to "play its role in the field of security".
The conference held in Ethiopia saw the participation of the foreign ministries of the following Horn countries- Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
Horn of Africa:
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in Northeast Africa.
Located in the eastern part of the African mainland, it is the fourth largest peninsula in the world.
It is located along the southern border of the Red Sea and extends for hundreds of kilometres into the Guardafui Channel, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The Horn of Africa is equidistant from the equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
The Horn includes the biodiversity of the highlands of the Ethiopian Plateau, the Ogaden Desert, Eritrea and the Somalian Coast.
The Horn of Africa refers to the region comprising the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The region has experienced imperialism, neo-colonialism, cold war, ethnic conflict, inter-African conflict, poverty, disease, famine, etc.
7. G7 announces $600 billion global infrastructure programs
Tags: International News
The G7 group has announced USD 600 billion global infrastructure programs for poor countries.
Under the program, the US government and its allies will try to touch the USD 600 billion mark during the years 2022 and 2027.
The move is intended to compete with China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The proposed G7 funding would rely largely on private companies, in contrast to the Chinese government-run Belt and Road Initiative.
The partnership has been unveiled by US President Joe Biden and G7 allies from Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy and the European Union.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
The Belt and Road Initiative is formally known as the One Belt One Road initiative.
It is a global infrastructure development strategy, launched by China in 2013.
Under this, China had planned to invest in about 70 countries and international organisations.
The project is the centrepiece of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy.
As of March 2022, 146 countries have signed the BRI.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is dedicated to providing loans for infrastructure projects.
About the G7
The G7 or Group of Seven is a grouping of the seven most advanced economies.
The seven countries are Canada, USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and Italy.
It was formed in 1975.
The G7 countries meet annually to discuss issues of common interest such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
All G7 countries and India are part of the G20.
The G7 has no fixed headquarters.
8. Three-day workshop on 'Gender Responsible Governance' organized in Dharamshala
Tags: State News
A three-day workshop on 'Gender Responsive Governance' ie 'Gender Responsible Governance' is being organised in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
The workshop is being organised in collaboration with the Women's Commission and Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
116 women MLAs from five states and one union territory of North India will participate in this workshop.
The chief guest of the workshop is Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.
Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women said that the workshop has been organised with the idea of 'Strong Women Leadership, Strong Democracy'.
The program was conceptualised and developed with the aim of promoting capacity building of women leaders.
About Himachal Pradesh
The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is "Province of Snowy Mountains", Himachal Pradesh is also known as "Dev Bhoomi".
Himachal Pradesh was made a union territory in 1956, but in 1971, it was made the eighteenth state of India on 25 January 1971 under the Himachal Pradesh State Act, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalaya Mountains.
Four of the five rivers that flow in Himachal Pradesh are mentioned in the Rigveda.
At that time they were known by other names such as Arikari (Chenab), Purushni (Ravi), Vipasha (Beas) and Shatdui (Satluj) The fifth river (Kalindi) which originates from Yamunotri has a mythological connection with the Sun God.
Capital- Shimla (summer), Dharamsala (winter)
Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur
Legislative Assembly seats - 68
Rajya Sabha seats - 3
Lok Sabha seats - 4
9. PM Modi to attend G-7 summit in Germany
Tags: International News
PM Narendra Modi will visit Germany on 26 and 27 June to attend the annual summit of the G-7.
Modi is attending the G7 summit following an invitation by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Germany currently holds the presidency of the G7, a grouping of the seven richest countries in the world.
Top leaders attending the summit include US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
During the summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to address two sessions covering environment, energy, climate, food security, health, gender equality and democracy.
From Germany, he will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 28 to condole the passing of former Gulf President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Group of Seven (G-7)
It includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The group meets annually to discuss issues of common interest, such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
It was formed in 1975 by the top economies of the time as an informal forum to discuss global issues.
Canada joined the group in 1976, and the European Union began participating in 1977.
It represents about 70% of the world economy.
It currently accounts for about 40% of the global GDP.
All the G7 countries and India are a part of G20.
The G-7 became the G8 in 1997 when Russia was invited to join.
It does not have a fixed headquarters.
10. One Nation, One Ration Card scheme implemented in Assam
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Assam has become the 36th state of the country to implement the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.
After being implemented in Assam, this scheme has been successfully implemented in 36 states and union territories across the country.
The scheme has made a significant contribution in ensuring subsidized food grains to the beneficiaries especially the migrant beneficiaries during the COVID pandemic.
In a very short span of time, it covered 80 crore beneficiaries.
Since the scheme's implementation in August 2019, around 71 crore portable transactions have taken place under it, food grains equivalent to Rs 40 thousand crore have been distributed as food subsidy.
Mera Ration mobile app
Mera Ration mobile application was launched to make this scheme more seamless and faster.
This mobile app is providing useful real time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages.
About ‘One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme
It was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2019 on a pilot basis in 4 states.
It aims to ensure hassle free delivery of subsidized food grains to all migrant beneficiaries anywhere in the country under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under this scheme, migrant beneficiaries are entitled to get food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country using their existing ration card with biometric authentication.
Benefits of the scheme
This will help in reducing the number of dual ration card holders.
This is in line with the motto of Minimum Government Maximum Governance.
Centralised authorised shop data can be used to formulate policies on inter- and inter-state migration.
It will help to improve India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index.
National Food Security Act, 2013
It was introduced by the Government of India in 2013.
The Act is in line with Goal Two of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.
Goal 2 aims to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and create sustainable solutions to achieve food security.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), Public Distribution System (PDS), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are covered under this Act.
