1. Second summit of Supreme Audit Institutions of G20 countries began in Goa
Tags: National National News
The second summit of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of the G20 countries began on 12 June in Panaji, the capital of Goa.
An overview of the news
The inaugural address at the summit was delivered by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu.
Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant also attended the meeting.
SAIs from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Spain, UAE, Morocco and Poland participated in the summit.
Apart from the proceedings of the summit, the CAG is expected to sign MoUs with SAIs of Indonesia and Turkey to strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Apart from SAI, over 80 national and international delegates as well as representatives from Think20 and Youth20 Engagement Groups are participating in the three-day summit.
Summit Focus Areas
The two primary areas of focus at the summit will be Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, with Girish Chandra Murmu discussing these topics.
The concept of blue economy revolves around the conservation and utilization of oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Responsive Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables fraud detection, automates redundant auditing processes and identifies high-risk transactions.
2. Second summit of Supreme Audit Institutions of G20 countries began in Goa
Tags: National National News
The second summit of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of the G20 countries began on 12 June in Panaji, the capital of Goa.
An overview of the news
The inaugural address at the summit was delivered by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu.
Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant also attended the meeting.
SAIs from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Spain, UAE, Morocco and Poland participated in the summit.
Apart from the proceedings of the summit, the CAG is expected to sign MoUs with SAIs of Indonesia and Turkey to strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Apart from SAI, over 80 national and international delegates as well as representatives from Think20 and Youth20 Engagement Groups are participating in the three-day summit.
Summit Focus Areas
The two primary areas of focus at the summit will be Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, with Girish Chandra Murmu discussing these topics.
The concept of blue economy revolves around the conservation and utilization of oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Responsive Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables fraud detection, automates redundant auditing processes and identifies high-risk transactions.
3. UN suspends food aid to Ethiopia over diversion of supplies
Tags: International News
The United Nations World Food Program has temporarily suspended food aid to Ethiopia on June 9 because it is not reaching those in need in the African country.
An overview of the news
America had also made a similar announcement a day earlier. WFP executive director Cindy McCain said the transfer of food aid is completely unacceptable.
About 20 million Ethiopians out of the country's population of about 120 million are dependent on food aid due to drought and conflict.
Much of this aid comes from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Food Program.
Ethiopia has a population of about 120 million. This move by the United Nations agency is expected to increase malnutrition in Africa's second most populous country.
United Nations World Food Program
It is an international organization within the United Nations.
It provides food assistance worldwide.
It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals.
It was founded in 1961.
Its Headquarter is in Rome, Italy.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) are the founders of WFP.
4. Sarbananda Sonowal lays Foundation Stone of Cochin Fisheries Harbour
Tags: National National News
The foundation stone for the modernization and upgradation works of the Cochin Fishing Harbour was laid at Willingdon Island in Kochi on 11 June.
An overview of the news
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying,Parshottam Rupala, and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, jointly laid the foundation stone for the project.
The modernization project is expected to be completed next year, enhancing the infrastructure and capabilities of the Cochin Fishing Harbour.
The project aims to modernize and upgrade the Cochin Fishing Harbour at a cost of 169 crore rupees.
Rupala mentioned the Sagar Parikrama program which aims to identify ground-level gaps and make necessary policy changes.
Significance of Cochin Fisheries Harbour
The modernization of the Cochin Fishing Harbour will boost fish and fish product exports, estimated to reach 1500 crore rupees per annum.
Coastal economic development is a key aspect of the Sagar Mala Project.
Government initiatives will empower fishermen to contribute further to the country's economy.
The upgraded harbour will enable increased trade and export opportunities for fish and fish products, benefiting the local economy and the livelihoods of fishermen.
5. Sarbananda Sonowal lays Foundation Stone of Cochin Fisheries Harbour
Tags: National National News
The foundation stone for the modernization and upgradation works of the Cochin Fishing Harbour was laid at Willingdon Island in Kochi on 11 June.
An overview of the news
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying,Parshottam Rupala, and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, jointly laid the foundation stone for the project.
The modernization project is expected to be completed next year, enhancing the infrastructure and capabilities of the Cochin Fishing Harbour.
The project aims to modernize and upgrade the Cochin Fishing Harbour at a cost of 169 crore rupees.
Rupala mentioned the Sagar Parikrama program which aims to identify ground-level gaps and make necessary policy changes.
Significance of Cochin Fisheries Harbour
The modernization of the Cochin Fishing Harbour will boost fish and fish product exports, estimated to reach 1500 crore rupees per annum.
Coastal economic development is a key aspect of the Sagar Mala Project.
Government initiatives will empower fishermen to contribute further to the country's economy.
The upgraded harbour will enable increased trade and export opportunities for fish and fish products, benefiting the local economy and the livelihoods of fishermen.
6. PM Modi inaugurated first-ever National Training Conclave in New Delhi
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever National Training Conclave at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on 11 June.
An overview of the news
The Conclave is aimed to enhance capacity building in the civil services and is organised under the auspices of the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - 'Mission Karmayogi.'
The Conclave is being hosted by the Capacity Building Commission.
More than 1500 representatives from various training institutes, including Central Training Institutes, State Administrative Training Institutes, Regional and Zonal Training Institutes, and Research institutes are participating in the conclave.
Civil servants from central government departments, state governments and local governments as well as experts from the private sector are participating in the deliberations.
During the conclave, eight-panel discussionswill take place, each focusing on key concerns pertinent to civil services training institutes.
Topics of discussion
It includes faculty development, training impact assessment, content digitisation, and other significant areas that contribute to the enhancement of civil services training.
About Mission Karmayogi Scheme
Mission Karmayogi Yojana was launched on 2nd September 2020.
This scheme is operated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The main objective of the Mission Karmayogi scheme is to develop the capabilities of government employees.
Under the Mission Karmayogi scheme, a budget of Rs 510.86 crore has been set by the government for a period of 5 years for about 46 lakh central employees.
For the successful operation of the scheme iGOT Karmayogi platform has also been formed through which online contact is made available.
7. PM Modi inaugurated first-ever National Training Conclave in New Delhi
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever National Training Conclave at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on 11 June.
An overview of the news
The Conclave is aimed to enhance capacity building in the civil services and is organised under the auspices of the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - 'Mission Karmayogi.'
The Conclave is being hosted by the Capacity Building Commission.
More than 1500 representatives from various training institutes, including Central Training Institutes, State Administrative Training Institutes, Regional and Zonal Training Institutes, and Research institutes are participating in the conclave.
Civil servants from central government departments, state governments and local governments as well as experts from the private sector are participating in the deliberations.
During the conclave, eight-panel discussionswill take place, each focusing on key concerns pertinent to civil services training institutes.
Topics of discussion
It includes faculty development, training impact assessment, content digitisation, and other significant areas that contribute to the enhancement of civil services training.
About Mission Karmayogi Scheme
Mission Karmayogi Yojana was launched on 2nd September 2020.
This scheme is operated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The main objective of the Mission Karmayogi scheme is to develop the capabilities of government employees.
Under the Mission Karmayogi scheme, a budget of Rs 510.86 crore has been set by the government for a period of 5 years for about 46 lakh central employees.
For the successful operation of the scheme iGOT Karmayogi platform has also been formed through which online contact is made available.
8. Centre announces four important initiatives to strengthen Urban Co-operative Banks in country
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
To realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar se Samridhi, four important initiatives have been taken to strengthen 1,514 Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) in the country.
An overview of the news
After detailed discussions with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor, Reserve Bank of India, RBI has notified these important measures to strengthen Urban Cooperative Banks.
Four initiative
In order to expand their business, Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) can now open new branches
UCBs can now open new branches up to 10% (maximum 5 branches) of the number of branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI in their approved area of operation.
In order to avail this facility, UCBs have to get the policy approved by their board and comply with the Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) Norms.
UCBs can also do One Time Settlement at par with Commercial Banks
RBI has notified a framework governing this aspect for all regulated entities including Urban Co-operative Banks.
Now co-operative banks through board-approved policies may provide a process for technical write-off as well as settlement with borrowers.
This has brought cooperative banks at par with other commercial banks now.
Revised timelines for PSL targets given to UCBs
The Reserve Bank of India has decided to extend the timeline for UCBs to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets by two years i.e. up to March 31,2026.
Designating a Nodal Officer in RBI
In order to meet the long pending demand of the cooperative sector for closer coordination and focused interaction, RBI has recently notified a nodal officer as well.
What are Urban Cooperative banks (UCB)?
It refers to primary cooperative banks located in urban and semi-urban areas.
These are registered as cooperative societies under the provisions of, either the State Cooperative Societies Act of the State concerned under the provisions of the or the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
It is regulated by the Registrar of Cooperatives and also by the RBI.
The Reserve Bank regulates and supervises the banking functions of UCBs under the provisions of Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
9. Government of India constituted peace committee in Manipur
Tags: committee National News
Government of India has constituted a Peace Committee in Manipur under the Chairpersonship of Governor, Manipur Anusuiya Uikey on 10 June.
An overview of the news
The constitution of the Peace Committee in Manipur was announced by Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, during his visit to the state from May 29th, 2023 to June 1st, 2023.
Members of Peace Committee
The committee consists of the chief minister, state government ministers, members of parliament (MPs), members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) and leaders of various political parties.
The Committee also includes former civil servants, educationists, litterateurs, artists, social workers and representatives of different ethnic groups.
Mandate of the Committee
The primary mandate of the Peace Committee is to facilitate the peace-making process among different ethnic groups in Manipur.
This involves promoting peaceful dialogues and negotiations between conflicting parties or groups.
The Committee aims to foster social cohesiveness, mutual understanding, and cordial communication between the various ethnic groups in the state.
The objective of the committee is to resolve conflicts, redress grievances and promote reconciliation among the various communities in Manipur.
10. Sarbananda Sonowal launches 'Sagar Samriddhi' online dredging monitoring system
Tags: National National News
In a significant move to accelerate the 'Waste to Wealth' initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the 'Sagar Samriddhi' online dredging monitoring system on 12 June.
About 'Sagar Samriddhi' online dredging monitoring system
This will help in making the seas and port clean. With this, real time information on dredging will be available.
This system has been developed by National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) the technological arm of MoPSW.
The new technology Draft and Loading Monitor (DLM) system is a significant improvement over the older system.
The 'Sagar Samriddhi' monitoring system aims to bring synergy among various input reports, including the daily dredging report and pre and post dredging survey data.
By integrating and processing these reports, the system can generate real-time dredging reports, providing valuable insights and information.
Capabilities of ‘Sagar Samriddhi’
Real time dredging progress report
Daily and monthly progress Visualisation
Dredger performance and downtime monitoring
Easy location track data with snapshot of loading, unloading and idle time
National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC)
NTCPWC was established under the Sagarmala program of MoPSW at IIT Madras with a total investment of Rs 77 crore.
It was inaugurated on 24 April 2023 by Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
It aims to enable research and development for the maritime sector, while enabling solutions towards achieving the goal of building a strong maritime industry in the country.
