1. PM inaugurated 'Iconic Week Celebrations' and launch Jan Samarth portal
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Iconic week celebrations’ of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on 6 June.
The "Iconic Week" is being observed as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' (AKAM) from June 6 to June 11, 2022.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a digital exhibition, which traces the journey of the two Ministries, Finance and Corporate Affairs, over the past eight years.
He also released a special series of coins of Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 20.
These special series of coins will have the theme of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' logo and will be easily recognizable by the visually impaired.
Jan Samarth Portal
PM Modi launched the national portal for credit-linked government schemes - Jan Samarth Portal on this occasion.
It is a one-stop digital portal linking government credit schemes that directly connects the beneficiaries with the lenders.
The main objective of the portal is to encourage inclusive growth and development of various sectors by providing them appropriate government benefits through simple and easy digital processes.
The portal ensures complete coverage of all linked schemes.
What is the eligibility to apply?
Anyone can apply for the loan.
Firstly the eligibility will be checked under the required loan category and if the individuals are eligible, can apply for the loan under the category through online application.
Documents required to apply under Credit-linked Government schemes
Each scheme has different documentation requirements.
To apply online on the portal, the following basic documents are required-
Aadhaar Number
Voter ID
PAN
Bank statements etc.
2. India to contest for re-election to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Council
Tags: International News
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The Ministry of Communications said in a statement on June 4 that India will contest for re-election to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council.
As a member since 1869, India is contesting re-election, to the International Telecommunications UnionCouncil (ITU), for the term 2023-2026.
Devusinh Chauhan led the Indian delegation to WSIS 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland which was held from May 31 to June 3, 2022.
Chouhan said that India is a connected society and shares ITU's vision to enable ICT to meet SDG 2030.
WSIS 2022 is co-organized by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
About International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.
It was established in the year 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks.
It is committed to connecting all the world's people.
In line with its mandate and the WSIS outcome documents, it continues playing a key role in WSIS implementation.
Its members come from all over the globe.
Its global membership includes 193 Member States as well as 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations.
3. Supreme Court Mandates Minimum 1 KM ESZ For Protected Forests
Tags: National News
In a significant order, the Supreme Court on 3 June directed that each protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary should have an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of 1 kilometre.
Directions of the court
The Court also directed that no permanent structure shall be allowed within the ESZ.
Mining cannot be permitted within a National Wildlife Sanctuary or a National Park.
If the existing ESZ extends beyond the 1 km buffer zone or if any statutory instrument prescribes a higher limit, such extended limit shall prevail.
The Chief Conservator of Forests of each state has been directed to make a list of the existing structures in the ESZ and submit a report to the court.
A three-judge bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and Aniruddha Bose, in its 60-page judgment, highlighted how the country's natural resources have been depleted over the years by mining and other activities.
What are the Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
ESZ are also called Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs).
These are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
They also act as transition zones from areas of high security to areas of low security.
An ESZ can go up to 10 kilometres around a protected area, as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002.
4. SC objects to frivolous PIL petitions
Tags: National News
The Supreme Court has urged courts to be cautious while examining the locus standi in PILs to ensure that frivolous or private interests are not presented as genuine claims.
Supreme Court Justice B.R. Gavai and Hima Kohli initially imposed a fine of Rs 18 lakh on the plaintiff, i.e. Rs 1 lakh for each minute of the total 18-minute hearing.
However, the court later, in its order, reduced the amount to ₹ 2 lakh at the request of the plaintiff's counsel.
The bench criticised the highly derogatory practice of filing frivolous petitions wasting valuable time of the judiciary.
Court said this time can otherwise be utilised for addressing genuine concerns.
The petition alleges illegal excavation and construction work at the famous Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri.
What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Public interest litigation is the use of law to advance human rights and equality or to raise issues of wider public concern.
It was initiated by Justice PN Bhagwati in 1979.
The first reported case of PIL was Hussainara Khatoon vs. State of Bihar (1979).
This is in line with the principles enshrined in Article 39A [a] of the Constitution to protect speedy social justice with the help of law.
Filing of PIL
Any citizen can raise a public matter in the court by filing a petition-
Under Art 32 of the Indian Constitution, in the Supreme Court
Under Art 226 of the Indian Constitution, in the High Court
Under section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in a Magistrate’s Court
5. Telemedicine service 'eSanjeevani' integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Tags: National News
The National Health Authority (NHA) on June 3 announced the integration of eSanjeevani (telemedicine service of the Union Health Ministry) with its flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
This integration allows the existing users of e-Sanjeevani to easily create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and use it to add and manage their existing health records like prescriptions and lab reports etc.
Users will also be able to share their health records with doctors on e-Sanjeevani which will help in better clinical decision making and ensure continuity of care.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to build a digital route to bridge the gap between existing digital health solutions and stakeholders in India.
The integration of e-Sanjeevani with ABDM is one such example where 22 crore ABHA holders can directly link and store their health records created through e-Sanjeevani in the health locker of their choice.
Users can share their already linked health records with doctors on e-Sanjeevani, making the entire consultation process paperless.
About e-Sanjeevani
It was started in November 2019
It is also called the National Teleconsultation Service
Its aim is to provide healthcare services to patients in their homes.
It was conceptualised by the Mohali branch of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) as a Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine platform.
In March 2020, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched another variant of e-Sanjeevani for patient-to-doctor telemedicine.
On 13th April 2020, e-Sanjeevani OPD was launched to provide health services to the patients at their homes.
6. THE Asia University Rankings 2022
Tags: Popular International News
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has been ranked highest (42nd) among 71 Indian universities in the Asia University Rankings 2022 released by Times Higher Education (THE).
616 universities from 31 countries have been included in this latest edition.
India is the third-represented country in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2022, which includes 71 universities in India.
Only 4 Indian universities have been ranked in the top 100.
There has been a decline in the ranking of all the Indian institutions in the top-100 as compared to the previous year.
Major Indian Institutions and their Ranks in Asia University Rankings 2022
Institute | Rank |
Indian Institute of Science | 42 |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | 65 |
IIT Ropar | 68 |
IIT Indore | 87 |
IIT Gandhinagar | 120 |
Banaras Hindu University | 153 |
Jamia Millia Islamia | 160 |
JNU | 167 |
IIIT Delhi | 177 |
7. Turkey rejects Indian wheat consignment
Tags: International News
Turkish authorities refused permission to an Indian wheat consignment due to phytosanitary concerns.
With the return of this 15 million ton wheat consignment, the difficulties of the traders of India have increased.
Turkey is facing a severe wheat crisis.
The government of Turkey is exploring options to buy wheat from abroad.
Keeping in view the domestic demand, India has decided to ban the export of private wheat.
However, 12 countries have requested India for help.
Despite the export ban, India sent a consignment of 60,000 tonnes of wheat to Egypt.
Why Turkey rejected India's wheat consignment?
Turkey claims that Rubella virus has been found in these wheat.
Despite the wheat crisis in the country as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War, Turkey returned the consignment of Indian wheat.
There is a problem of phytosanitary in the wheat of the consignment.
Phytosanitary means a certificate issued by a competent government authority indicating that the particular material or shipment is free from harmful pests and diseases.
What is Rubella disease in humans?
Rubella is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
Rubella is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets filled with germs into the air and on surfaces.
Symptoms may include fever, sore throat and rash on the face and rash that spreads to the rest of the body.
Until the 1960s, Rubella was a common childhood infection.
After the MMR vaccine came to the market, the virus stopped spreading in the United States around 2004.
The virus is still present in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.
8. U.S. to send medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine
Tags: Defence International News
US President Joe Biden's administration has announced that it will send high-tech medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine.
Ukrainian leaders are constantly demanding this, struggling to stop Russia's growing hold in Ukraine's Donbass region.
Russia is making incremental progress in the Donbass, seeking to annex the remaining parts of the region.
In total, the United States has pledged nearly $5 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration.
The rocket systems are part of a new $700 million tranche of security assistance for Ukraine from the U S.
About the rocket systems
These include Helicopters, Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, tactical vehicles, spare parts etc.
These rocket systems are capable of attacking Russia.
Any of these weapon systems could shoot down Russian if it was close enough to the border.
Medium-range rockets generally can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers).
The upgraded rocket system will give the Ukrainian military greater accuracy in targeting Russian assets inside Ukraine.
To Ukraine, the US is planning to send the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which is mounted on a truck and can carry a container with six rockets.
9. India and Sweden Host Industry Transition Dialogue In Stockholm
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Sweden hosted the Industry Transition Dialogue on 2 June in Stockholm as a part of their joint initiative, Leadership for Industry Transition (LeadIT).
The LeadIT initiative focuses on areas that are major stakeholders in global climate action and require specific interventions.
This high level dialogue has made a significant contribution to the United Nations Conference 'Stockholm+50'.
Stockholm +50 is a World Environment Assembly held on 2 and 3 June to commemorate the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972.
It sets the agenda for COP27.
Japan and South Africa are the latest members of the initiative.
At present, the total number of LeadIT members is 37, including countries and companies.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav addressed the event.
He said it is a time to celebrate 50 years of collaborative action, as well as a time to introspect on what we have achieved so far and what remains to be achieved.
During the event, India chaired the Round Table Talks on priorities for implementation for 2022-23.
Countries and companies share their initiatives, success stories and plans for the future.
About Sweden
Capital - Stockholm
National Day - 6 June
Parliament - Called ‘riksdag’
Members of parliament - 349 in a single chamber
Head of state - King Carl XVI Gustaf; heir to the throne is Crown Princess Victoria
Total area - 528,447 sq km (fifth largest country in Europe)
Highest mountain - Kebnekaise (2,099 m)
Biggest lake - Vänern (5,650 sq km)
Currency - Swedish krona
10. Gun Control Legislation in Canada
Tags: International News
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled new legislation that would impose "some of the most stringent gun control measures" in decades, including a "freeze" on the country's handgun buying and selling.
This law will limit the capacity of magazines as well as ban toys that look like guns.
Under this new law, only sports shooters, Olympic athletes and security guards will be exempted from the handgun freeze.
In this law, the person who already has a gun will be allowed to keep it.
After the increasing incidents of shooting, the Canadian government has prepared this new plan to control gun culture.
About Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of total area.
It's only land bordering country is the United States, with which it shares the world's longest land border.
Capital - Ottawa
Prime Minister- Justin Trudeau
Currency- Canadian Dollar
