CURRENT
AFFAIRS SNIPPETS
04th
August 2022
National News
'Flood tourism' will not be permitted:
Kerala minister amid rains
Amid rains in Kerala, state minister K Rajan on Wednesday said that people
should strictly avoid going to areas which are inundated or flooded as part of
a growing trend of “flood tourism”. He warned that such activities will not be
permitted and police would be used to remove such persons.
CJI NV Ramana recommends Justice UU Lalit's
name as his successor
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana has recommended Justice Uday Umesh
Lalit's name as his successor. Justice Lalit will become the 49th CJI. Justice
Lalit, who enrolled as an Advocate in June 1983, practised in the High Court of
Bombay till December 1985 and was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of India
in August 2014.
No shortage of foodgrain in country: Union
Agriculture Minister
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed the Parliament
that there is no shortage of foodgrain in the country and stocks are sufficient
to meet the demand. There are adequate stocks in the “central pool”, he added.
"As on July 1, 2022, the actual stock of wheat is 285.10 LMT against the
buffer norm of 275.80 LMT," Tomar said.
6 National Highway projects launched in MP by Union Minister
In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 6 National Highway projects totaling 119 km and
costing Rs. 2300 crore were formally opened and the foundation stone was laid
by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari. The villages in the Indore-Harda segment will
be better connected to Indore. He stated that the expansion of the
Dhar-Pithampur Industrial Corridor would result in more job opportunities. According to the Minister, travel times
between Tejaji Nagar (Indore) and Burhanpur and Indore and Harda will be
shortened, saving fuel. He claimed that travellers heading to Omkareshwar and
Khandwa will have easy access to the routes.
The State Government and NHAI signed a memorandum of understanding
during this initiative to build ropeways at 14 designated locations in Madhya
Pradesh.
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 approved by Lok Sabha
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 is approved by the Lok Sabha.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 already protects a number of species,
but the proposed legislation would also implement CITES, the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Rajya
Sabha still needs to pass the Bill, though.
According to Bhupender Yadav, the Union Environment Minister, the
government operates under the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam principle and strives to
improve both humankind and all other animal species. The Union Environment Minister has also urged
people to avoid purchasing upscale goods derived from animals from threatened
or endangered species.
Ministry for Commerce & Industry: India recognising over 75000
startups so far
Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal has announced that
India has achieved a landmark milestone, wherein 75000 startups have been
recognized in the country. The
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized
more than 75,000 startups- a milestone which coincides with the 75th year of
independence. Startup India program
which was primarily set up to provide an enabling environment for the startups
has today evolved into the launchpad for them.
Andhra Pradesh emerges as winner in Utilisation of Agri-Infra funds
When it comes to using cash for agricultural infrastructure, Andhra Pradesh
comes out on top (Agri Infra Fund). By placing a strong emphasis on
infrastructure development at the farm gate, it has become the best state. At a ceremony in New Delhi, Union Minister of
Agriculture and Family Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar presented B. Srinivasa Rao,
CEO of State Rythu Bazars, with the award for the best state in the nation in
terms of utilising Agri Funds in the fiscal year 2021–22.
Kerala CM launched eggs and milk scheme for Anganwadi children
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated a project of the Women
and Child Development department. This
project help to provide milk and eggs to children at all Anganwadis in the
state in a bid to improve their nutrition levels. The state government has set
aside over Rs 61.5 crore to include milk and eggs in the Anganwadi menu this
financial year. Under this scheme, which
is considered as a first in the country, each child will be given 125 ml of
milk two days a week for 44 weeks (10 months) and an egg twice a week. Under this project, four lakh children in the
age group of 3-6 from the 33,115 anganwadis of the state will receive eggs and
milk twice a week.
Appointments News
Suresh N Patel sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner
Vigilance Commissioner, Suresh N. Patel was appointed as the Central Vigilance
Commissioner. He has been working as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner
(CVC) since June this year. He was sworn
in as the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission by President Droupadi Murmu
at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu. Former Indian
Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sanjay Kothari had completed his term as
the CVC on June 24 last year.
IFS officer Shweta Singh appointed as Director of PMO
According to a Personnel Ministry, 2008 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer,
Shweta Singh was appointed as a director in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
(ACC) approved Singh's appointment for a period of three years from the date of
her joining. The ACC has cancelled the
appointment of Aniket Govind Mandavgane, a 2009-batch IFS officer, as the
Deputy Secretary in the PMO. Mandavgane was on July 18 appointed as the Deputy
Secretary.
Senior-most judge of Supreme Court U U Lalit, in line to become next
CJI
Senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice U U Lalit, who is in
line to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). He has been part of several landmark
judgements including the one which held the practice of divorce through instant
'triple talaq' among Muslims illegal and unconstitutional. Justice Lalit is in line to become the 49th
CJI of India on August 27, a day after incumbent Justice N V Ramana demits the
office.
International News
China fires multiple missiles around Taiwan
China fired multiple missiles around Taiwan on Thursday as it launched
its largest-ever military exercises a day after a visit by US House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said several Dongfeng missiles had been
fired in waters to the northeast and southwest of the island. The last time
China fired missiles into waters around Taiwan was in 1996.
UN General Assembly deemed a healthy environment a Human Right
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution that recognised
everyone's right to a healthy environment. It was stated that the action is a
crucial one in halting the alarming decline of the natural environment. India supported the resolution but abstained
from one of the resolution's key clauses. It expressed dissatisfaction with the
resolution's methodology and content. The
UNGA recognises the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a
human right, according to the resolution's operative paragraph 1. Ashish Sharma, a counsellor at India's
Permanent Mission to the UN, asked that this comment be recorded in the
meeting's official records.
Samsung scales back production in Vietnam as
demand falls: Reports
Samsung Electronics has cut down production at a smartphone plant in
Vietnam as retailers and warehouses deal with increasing inventory amid global
fall in consumer spending, reports said. US retailers like Best Buy, Target
Corp warn of slowing sales. Plant workers said they are shifting to three-day
and four-day work week as six-day work week and overtime is not needed.
.
BANKING, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
CNG price increases by ₹6 per kg in Pune;
7th hike since April
The price of compressed natural gas (CNG) has been increased by ₹6 in
Pune, effective from Thursday. CNG will now cost ₹91 per kg in Pune. This is
the seventh price hike since April this year. "Overall, there is a
shortage of CNG as there is no supply from Russia and Ukraine," All India
Petroleum Dealers Association spokesperson said.
Bharti Airtel to roll out 5G services this
month, signs equipment deals
Bharti Airtel has signed 5G equipment service deals with Ericsson, Nokia
and Samsung, and will start rolling out 5G services later this month, the
telecom operator said. Bharti Airtel acquired 19,867.8 MHz spectrum worth
₹43,084 crore in the country's first-ever 5G spectrum auction. "Airtel
will work with the best technology partners from across the world," its MD
and CEO said.
RBI permitted use of INR for foreign commerce invoices and payments
Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad, the Union Minister of State for Finance, informed the
Rajya Sabha that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted foreign trade
invoices and payments to be made in the Indian Rupee. By means of a circular titled International
Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees (INR) that was published on July 11, 2022,
the central bank has permitted payments for international trade in the Indian
currency.
Gold prices in India rise, trade at ₹51,815
per 10 gram
Following positive global cues, gold prices in India traded higher on
Thursday at ₹51,815 per 10 gram. Gold October futures traded higher by ₹461 at
₹51,850 per 10 gram on the Multi Commodity Exchange. Silver September futures
rose ₹57,880 per kg. A pullback in the US dollar and Treasury yields led gold
prices to edge higher globally
Ranks and Reports News
Fortune Global 500 list: LIC breaks into Fortune 500 list
Indian statutory insurance and investment corporation, Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) has broken into the latest Fortune Global 500 list. The nation’s biggest life insurer with
revenue of USD 97.26 billion and a profit of USD 553.8 million, was ranked 98th
on the just released Fortune 500 list. This is the first outing of LIC on the
list, which ranks listed companies by sales.
Ramsar sites: India adds 10 new wetlands in the list
India adds 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites to make a total of 64
sites in the country. The 10 new sites include Six (6) sites in Tamil Nadu and
One (1) each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Designation of these sites would help in the
conservation and management of wetlands and the wise use of their resources. India is one of the Contracting Parties to
the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1st
Feb 1982. So far 64 wetlands covering an
area of 12,50,361 ha have been designated as Ramsar Sites of International
Importance in India, till date.
Sports News
Commonwealth Games 2022: Tejaswin Shankar wins India's first High Jump
Medal
India’s Tejaswin Shankar won India's first medal in athletics at the
Commonwealth games 2022, by clinching a historic bronze in the men’s high jump
final. Tejaswin, competing for India for
the first time in four years nailed a landing of 2.22m to secure a podium
finish. He did not have trouble clearing 2.5m and 2.10m in the opening two
jumps. Then 2.19m and 2.22m quite easily
on the first try. He though failed to clear 2.25 but clinched the bronze medal
after being quicker to jump 2.22m against the fourth-placed athlete. He
attempted 2.28m on his last jump but failed.
Commonwealth Games 2022: Tulika Maan wins silver in women's 78kg judo event
Indian
judoka, Tulika Maan settle for a silver medal in the women's 78kg category in
the Commonwealth Games 2022. Tulika Maan
gets India's second silver medal in Judo and third overall in the Judo, as she
conceded a defeat by Ippon to Scotland's Sarah Adlington in the Women's +78kg
final.
44th Chess Olympiad: Tania Sachdev Shines in Indian Women Team
Tania Sachdev has registered a 2.5-1.5 win for India against Hungary in the
fourth-round match of women section at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram,
Chennai. She thrashed Zsoka Gaal to earn a decisive point as well as a match
for the team. Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli
Harika and R Vaishali ended with a draw in their respective encounters. Tania
Sachdev is an Indian chess player, who holds the FIDE titles of International
Master and Woman Grandmaster. She is a
two-time Indian women's chess champion in 2006 and 2007, one-time Asian women's
chess champion in 2007 and three-time and current Commonwealth Women's Chess
Champion in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Commonwealth Games 2022: Saurav Ghosal wins India's first-ever singles medal
in squash
India's Saurav Ghosal has clinched the bronze medal in squash men's singles by
beating James Willstrop of England 11-6, 11-1, 11-4 to take India's
Commonwealth Games 2022. This was also
India's first-ever medal in squash singles at the Games. He had lost the men's
singles semi-final 3-0 (11-9 11-4 11-1) to New Zealand's Paul Coll.
Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian weightlifter Gurdeep Singh wins bronze in
men's
India's Gurdeep Singh won a bronze medal in the men's 109+kg weightlifting
event. Gurdeep lifted a total weight of 390kg (167kg+223kg) in the final, as he
won India's 10th weightlifting medal at the ongoing edition of the Games. Gurdeep joined Gururaja Poojary and Lovepreet
Singh to add a third bronze medal in weightlifting for India. The gold went to Pakistan's Muhammad Nooh
Butt for his Games record-breaking lift of 405kg (173kg+232kg). New Zealand's David
Andrew Liti clinched the silver for his effort of 394kg (170kg+224kg).
OBITUARY
Himachal Pradesh BJP vice-president Praveen
Sharma passes away aged 65
Himachal Pradesh BJP vice-president Praveen Sharma died on Thursday
morning aged 65. Sharma, who was the vice chairman of Himachal Pradesh Housing
and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA), died at his residence in Amb town. He
was elected from the Amb Assembly constituency in 1998 and had also served as
Excise and Taxation-cum-Youth Welfare and Sports Minister.
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