National & International News :
1. Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Launched Unified Registration Portal For GOBARdhan
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, launched the Unified Registration Portal for Biogas/ Compressed Bio Gas (CBG)/ Bio CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) plants under Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme.
This portal will be a one stop repository to assess investment and participation in Biogas/CBG sector at pan India level.
- This will also streamline the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants in India.
- The portal, developed by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the nodal agency of GOBARdhan, will ensure Ease of Doing Business (EODB).
- The functioning of the portal was tested and explored by the CBG Producers Association.
>> About GOBARdhan :
GOBARdhan, introduced in 2018 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM(G)-Phase II) program, is an overarching initiative by the Indian government. Its primary objective is to foster a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources.
The implementation of the GOBARdhan scheme involves collaboration between state governments and the private sector, including entrepreneurs and societies. The scheme's main focus is to convert cattle dung, agricultural residue, and other organic waste into biogas, compressed biogas (CBG), and biofertilizers, thereby generating wealth and energy.
GOBARdhan encompasses various programs and schemes under different ministries and departments, including :
- Waste to Energy Scheme under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)
- SBM(G) Phase II under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS)
- Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) under the Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairy.
The ultimate target of the GOBARdhan scheme is to contribute to India's climate action objectives, particularly in achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
2. NGEL & UPRVUNL Signed MoU to Develop Renewable Energy Parks
On May 31, 2023, NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, signed an MoU with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
- The objective of the MoU is to develop Renewable Energy Parks and Projects in UP and support the Indian government's energy transition efforts.
- The agreement involves collaboration between NGEL and UPRVUNL to establish floating and ground-mounted solar projects in the Rihand reservoir, other water bodies, and available vacant land.
- They will also focus on solar PV projects for the solarization of Ayodhya City and develop renewable energy parks and projects wherever suitable land is available.
- NGEL and UPRVUNL will work together to form a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to fulfill renewable generation obligations and facilitate flexibility in thermal/hydro power generation through bundling with renewable energy and energy storage.
- UPRVUNL currently operates four thermal power stations in UP with a total installed capacity of 5,820 MW. They are also in the process of adding 3,300 MW capacity on their own and 1,980 MW in collaboration with Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
- NTPC, India's largest power utility, has an installed capacity of 72,304 MW (including JVs) and aims to become a 130 GW company by 2032.
NGEL was established by NTPC as a fully owned subsidiary with a focus on Renewable Energy Parks and Projects.
3. India carries out successful training launch of MRBM Agni-1 From Odisha
On June 1, 2023, India successfully conducted a training launch of the nuclear-capable Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM), Agni-1, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
- The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), responsible for managing India's nuclear forces, carried out the launch as a user training exercise.
The test launch effectively validated all operational and technical aspects of the Agni-1 missile.
- The Agni-1 missile is a medium-range weapon, measuring 15 meters in length and weighing approximately 12,000 kilograms (Kg). It possesses a strike range exceeding 700 kilometers (Km) and can carry a payload of up to 1,000 Kg.
- The Agni missile series, including Agni-1 to Agni-5, is designed and developed by DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization).
Agni-1 was first launched on January 25, 2002, from Wheeler Island (now APJ Abdul Kalam Island) in Odisha.
Note : The Agni missile series includes Agni-2 (up to 2,000km), Agni-3 (around 3,000km), Agni-4 (around 4,000km), and the longest-range Agni-5 (up to 5,000km). The most recent addition is the 'Agni-Prime,' a two-stage canisterized solid-propellant missile with a strike range of 1,000 to 2,000 km, tested on June 28, 2022.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) :
Chairman : Dr Samir V Kamat
Headquarters : New Delhi,Delhi
Established : 1958
4. AIIMS Nagpur Becomes 1st AIIMS to Receive NABH Accreditation
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) in Nagpur, Maharashtra has become the first of all AIIMS to be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).
- NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI), set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organisations.
5. India joins Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN) for testing vaccines
India through its Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) has joined the Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI’s) which works to test vaccines which can be used during a pandemic, epidemic disease outbreak.
- On May 30 2023, 5 new members based in Africa and India joined the CLN network and currently it has 15 partner facilities in 13 countries.
- CLN is a part of the CEPI and the Network is the largest global group which has standardised methods and materials for testing.
6. Bandra-Versova sea bridge will be named after Veer Savarkar
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Bandra -Versova sea route in Mumbai will be named as Swatantra Veer Savarkar Bandra- Versova Sagari Setu.
- A new award “The SwatantryaVeer Savarkar Shaurya Puraskar” will be given for incredible bravery deeds in the state.
7. Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo received 57th Jnanpith Award
Damodar Mauzo, an eminent Konkani writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner, received the 57th Jnanpith Award from P S Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa, at an event held at the Raj Bhavan, Panaji, Goa.
- He is the 2nd konkani writer after Ravindra Kelekar to receive the award.
- Ravindra Kelekar was the recipient of the 42nd Jnanpith Award.
- Nilmani Phookan, an Assamese poet received the 56th Jnanpith Award.
8. IISc named Hypersonic Wind Tunnel After Late Prof Roddam Narasimha
Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru, named its 0.5 Diameter enclosed free-jet Hypersonic Wind Tunnel after Late Professor Roddam Narasimha to recognise his pioneering efforts in experimental hypersonics in India.
- He was awarded Padma Vibushan, the Second-highest civilian award in India, in 2023 for his contribution to work.
- The cutting-edge wind tunnel technology generates a circular air jet at hypersonic speeds, capable of reaching Mach 10 (Mach 1 is equal to 343 meters per second).
- IISc Bengaluru also has three supersonic and two hypersonic wind tunnels in total. Two other hypersonic wind tunnel facilities at ISRO and DRDO.
9. DGCA approved for night landing facility at Kalaburagi Airport
Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the night landing facility at Kalaburagi Airport, Karnataka.The Kalaburagi Airport was inaugurated on November 22, 2019, by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri B S Yediyurappa.
- It has a runway of 09-27 (3175m x 45m) and an apron suitable to park 03 aircraft.
10. IAS officer Ajay Yadav appointed as MD of Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited
On May 31, 2023, Ajay Yadav, a 2005 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Bihar Cadre, was designated as the Managing Director (MD) of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). SECI is a Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Unit (CPSU) operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Prior to assuming this role, Ajay Yadav held the position of Joint Secretary in the MNRE, Government of India (GoI).
- Ajay Yadav took over from Suman Sharma, the former MD of SECI, who officially stepped down from the position on May 19, 2023. Suman Sharma subsequently joined the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as a member on May 25, 2023.
11. FDI equity inflows dip 22% to $46.03 billion in FY23 : DPIIT Data
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) data, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India declined by 22% to $46.03 billion in FY23 as compared to $58.77 billion during FY22.
>> Top five Investor in FY23 :
1. Singapore : $17.2 billion
2. Mauritius : $6.13 billion
3. US : $6 billion
4. UAE : $3.35 billion
5. Netherlands : $2.5 billion
>> Top three Investing State :
1. Maharashtra : $14.8 billion
2. Karnataka : $10.43 billion
3. Delhi : $7.53 billion
The overseas inflows during the March 2023 quarter increased by 40.55% to $9.28 billion.
- Total FDI inflows, which include equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital, declined by 16% year-on-year (y-o-y) to $70.97 billion in the last fiscal.
- The FDI equity inflows declined in January, February, and March in FY23 to $4.05 billion, $2.85 billion, and $2.38 billion, respectively as against $6.4 billion in January 2022, $4.61 billion in February 2022, and $4.6 billion in March last year.
12. Unemployment declines further to 6.8% in Q4FY23 : 18th Quarterly PLFS by NSO
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 18th quarterly bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for January-March 2023 (Q4FY23), conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
- According to the survey, India's urban unemployment rate (UR) in terms of Current Weekly Status (CWS) for individuals aged 15 years and above decreased to 6.8% in Q4FY23, down from 7.2% in Q3FY23.
- In comparison, the unemployment rate during January-March 2022 was recorded at 8.2%.
- Among the male population in urban areas, the CWS unemployment rate dropped to 6% in Q4FY23, compared to 6.5% in Q3FY23.
- Similarly, the CWS unemployment rate among females also experienced a decline during Q4FY23, decreasing to 9.2% from 9.6% in Q3FY23.
>> State wise unemployment rate :
- For all age groups, the highest UR was seen in Himachal Pradesh (HP) which stood at 15.2%.
- It is followed by Chhattisgarh at 12.5% in 2nd place, and Jammu and Kashmir-J&K (12.4%) at 3rd place.
>> Data regarding Labour Force Participation Rate :
Male : 73.5% (Q4FY23) , 73.3% (Q3FY23)
Female : 22.7% (Q4FY23) , 22.3% (Q3FY23)
India Level : 48.5% (Q4FY23) , 48.2% (Q3FY23)
>> Data regarding Worker Population Ratio :
Male : 69.1% (Q4FY23) , 68.6% (Q3FY23)
Female : 20.6% (Q4FY23) , 20.2% (Q3FY23)
India Level : 45.2% (Q4FY23) , 44.7% (Q3FY23)
13. India emerges as top source country for FDI into Dubai
According to a report released by “fDi Markets”, a service from United Kingdom’s UK’s Financial Times Ltd, India is the top source country for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- India is ranked among the top 5 source countries for announced FDI projects and estimated FDI capital.
- Dubai is ranked No 1 globally for attracting greenfield FDI projects in 2022.
- With 77.5 % of greenfield projects, the top sectors by FDI projects from India into Dubai in 2022 were software & IT services (32%),
business services (19%), consumer products (9%), real estate (6%), and financial services (5%).
- The top sectors by FDI capital from India into Dubai in 2022 were consumer products (28%), software & IT services (20%), communications (19%), pharmaceuticals (8%), and business services (8%).
Banking & Finance News :
1. IITMRP & RBIH Collaborates to Launch Voice Banking Solution
IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), not for profit company promoted by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN) and IITM Incubation Cell (IITMIC) have joined hands with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to introduce voice-banking solutions to eliminate language barriers across India.
- The voice-based banking solution aims at conducting basic banking transactions through voice-controls in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and English, in the initial stage.
- Voice-banking will assist the illiterate and the visually impaired in their banking needs.
- IITMRP, IITMIC, and RBIH partnered with State Bank of India (SBI), Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and IDFC First Bank for the ‘Vaulter Voice’ voice banking hackathon at IIT Madras Research Park. The event aimed to explore voice-based banking solutions, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and leading banks.
2. ADB launches India CPS for 2023-27
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) rolled out its ‘India Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2023-2027: Catalyze Robust, Climate resilient, and inclusive growth’ to assist India in its efforts to achieve sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive growth for the next five years.
- The CPS is well aligned with India’s national development priorities to be achieved by 2047, when India marks 100 years of independence.
>> 3 pillars of CPS :
(i) Pillar 1 : Accelerate Structure Transformation and Job creation through convergence of logistics–industry–urban–skilling programs, coupled with support for Micro, Small, And Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
(ii) Pillar 2 : Promote Climate Resilient Green Growth
(iii) Pillar 3 : Deepen Social and Economic Inclusiveness: The social and economic inclusiveness will be improved by rebalancing ADB’s portfolio more towards human development in health, social protection, and education; basic urban services; and agriculture and rural development.
Other News :
1. International Sex Workers' Day 2023 - 2nd June
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| Source : Jagran English (Downloaded from Google) |
International Sex Workers Day, also known as International Whores Day, is annually observed across the globe on 2nd June to honours the sex workers who are the victims of cruelty and violence and acknowledge them as valuable contributors to society.
- The day also provides a platform to recognises the exploited working conditions of these sex workers.
- Every year, International Sex Workers’ Day is commemorated by NSWP (global Netwrok of Sex Work Projets) with focuses on the theme “Access to Justice” .
News Highlights :
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| News Highlights : 3rd June (Daily Current Affairs by Eduguide360 |
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