Daily Current Affairs and GK | 1 July 2023

Topic: Indian Economy

1. Growth in the Core sector remains stable at 4.3% in May.

• The pace of growth of eight key infrastructure sectors remains 4.3% due decline in the production of crude oil, natural gas and electricity.
• The core sector growth was 19.3% in May 2022.
• As per the data released by the government, during April-May of this fiscal, the output growth of these eight sectors has slowed down to 4.3% against 14.3% of same period of last 2022.
• Cement and steel production remained robust. The output of crude oil has contracted by 1.9%.
• The coal output growth rate declined to 7.2% in May as compared to last year.
• The rate of growth in the production of fertilizer, steel and cement slowed down to 9.7%, 9.2% and 15.5%, respectively.
• Another separate data has been also released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
• It shows that the central government's fiscal deficit stood at Rs 2.1 lakh crore (11.8% of the full-year budget estimates) by May-end 2023.
• The government is aiming to bring down the fiscal deficit during the current financial year to 5.9 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. The government has allowed all Public Sector Banks to implement and operationalise Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023.

• The government has also allowed eligible Private Sector Banks to implement and operationalize this scheme.
• The scheme is now available for subscription in Post Offices, and eligible Scheduled Banks.
• As part of this scheme, an account can be opened on or before the 31st March 2025 for two years.
• The scheme is in operation since 1st April 2023 through the Department of Post.
• Under this scheme, a minimum of 1,000 rupees and any sum in multiples of 100 can be deposited within the maximum limit of two lakh rupees.
• Under the scheme, the interest rate for the deposits is 7.5% per annum. It will be compounded quarterly.
• Therefore, the effective interest rate will be roughly 7.7%.
• The central government announced the scheme in the Union Budget 2023-24.
• The account holder can withdraw a maximum of up to 40% of the eligible balance in the scheme account.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Agriculture

3. Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC) hackathon has been announced by centre to generate innovative ideas for the availability and fair pricing of tomatoes.

• The Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Shri Rohit Kumar Singh has announced the TGC hackathon.
• Department of Consumer Affairs has formulated TGC in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Innovation Cell).
• Students, Research Scholars, Faculty Members, Industry individuals, Indian start-ups, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and Professionals can take part in the TGC.
• TGC has been announced to invite innovative ideas at various levels of the tomato value chain so that consumers get tomatoes at affordable prices and tomato farmers get value for the produce.
• Tomato production:
  • Tomato is produced almost in all the states in India. Maximum production is in the southern and western regions of India.
  • These regions contribute 56%-58% of all India production.
  • The tomato production seasons are different across regions of India.
  • The peak harvesting season of tomatoes occurred from December to February.
  • The periods from July-August and October-November are the lean production months of tomatoes.
  • Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam are the major tomato-producing states.

Topic: Important Days

4. International Day of Parliamentarism: 30 June

• International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated annually on 30 June.
• On 30 June 1889, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded.
• The inaugural UN International Day of Parliamentarism was celebrated in 1899.
• International Day of Parliamentarism was officially designated in 2018 by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.
• The theme for International Day of Parliamentarism 2023 is 'Parliaments for the Planet.'
• Inter-Parliamentary Union is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its president is Duarte Pacheco.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

5. UP’s seven products have received Geographical Indication tag from the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.

• These products are ‘Amroha Dholak’, ‘Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip’, ‘Mainpuri Tarkashi’, ‘Sambhal Horn Craft’, ‘Baghpat Home Furnishings’, ‘Barabanki Handloom Product’ and ‘Kalpi Handmade Paper’.
• Amroha Dholak is made of woods such as Mango, jackfruit and teakwood.
• This musical instrument is created by using wood from mango and sheesham trees to carve the hollow blocks, which are later fitted with animal skin, mostly goatskin.
• Baghpat is famous for its handloom home furnishing product.
• Only cotton yarn is used in the handloom weaving process. Baghpat is known for weaving on the frame loom instead of the pit loom.
• Historically, Kalpi has been a centre of handmade paper manufacturing. It was formally introduced at Kalpi by Munnalal ‘Khaddari’, a Gandhian, in 1940s.
• The Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip is a stone craft. It is made using white-coloured stone that is mainly found in this region.
• Tarkashi is a famous art form from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh. It is mainly brass wire inlay work on wood.
• It was primarily used for khadaous (wooden sandals).
• Sambhal Horn Craft is made using raw material from dead animals.

Topic: International News

6. New Zealand is the first country that has banned thin plastic bags for carrying fresh produce from supermarkets.

• The ban is also applicable to plastic straws and silverware.
• The government started a campaign against single-use plastics in 2019. The government is now expanding this campaign.
• In 2019, the government banned the thicker plastic shopping bags that were used by customers to carry home their grocery items.
• Lightweight plastic bags are banned across Australia. Plastic straws, cutlery and food and drink containers are also being banned by some jurisdictions.
• In India, the amended Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 provide the statutory framework and the prescribed authorities for enforcement of the rules, including ban on identified single use plastic items.
• Single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, have been prohibited, with effect from 1st July, 2022.

Topic: Defence

7. A contract worth Rs 2,725 crore signed by the Defence Ministry with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

• The contract has been signed for Medium Refit with Life Certification (MRLC) of Submarine INS Shankush.
• INS Shankush, a sub-surface warfare class submarine, will undergo a minor overhaul at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.
• The submarine will be delivered in 2026 post MRLC as per the contract.
• After completion of MRLC, INS Shankush will be combat-ready and will be inducted into the active fleet of the Indian Navy.
• This project is a significant step towards the growth of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
• The project will cover more than 30 micro, small, and medium enterprise sectors.
• The project will be the proud flag bearer of Atmanirbhar Bharat in line with the Government's Make-in-India initiative.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Sports

8. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won the Lausanne Diamond League title.

• Olympic champion Neeraj made a spectacular comeback after injury and clinched the title with a throw of 87.6m.
• This year, he also won the Doha Diamond League in May.
• Germany's Julian Weber finished second in the competition with a javelin throw of 87.03m.
• Jakob Wadlich of the Czech Republic finished third with an 86.13-meter throw.
• Now, Neeraj will compete in the Monaco and Zurich stages on July 21 and August 31 before the Diamond League Grand Finale in Eugene, USA on September 16-17.
• In the men's long jump, India's Murali Sreeshankar finished 5th with a jump of 7.88m, which he achieved in the third round.

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(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Banking System

9. HDFC Bank and Housing Development Finance Corporation merger becomes effective from 1 July.

• HDFC Bank has announced the merger of Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (HDFC) with itself.
• From July 7, all commercial papers of HDFC Ltd will be transferred in the name of HDFC Bank.
• Housing Development Finance Corporation shareholders will get 42 new HDFC Bank shares for every 25 shares held by them.
• The merger of both entities will make it the fourth-largest lender in the world by market capitalization. The market cap of the combined entity is estimated to be $172 billion.
• The merger of both entities was announced on 4 April 2022.
• Now, HDFC Bank will be completely owned by public shareholders and existing shareholders of HDFC Ltd will own a 41% stake in the bank.
• The merger would allow more credit to flow to the economy. It will also allow for the underwriting of larger-ticket loans.
• All employees of HDFC Ltd below the age of 60 would become HDFC Bank employees.
• Currently, HDFC Securities Ltd., HDB Financial Services Ltd., HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Co. Ltd., and HDFC Capital Advisors Ltd are the subsidiaries of HDFC Bank.

Topic: Sports

10. India defeated Iran to win the Asian Kabaddi Championships title.

• Indian men’s kabaddi team defeated Iran by 42-32 in the finals of the Asian Kabaddi Championships.
• It is India’s eighth Asian Kabaddi championship title.
• Both teams displayed remarkable determination and skill throughout the high-voltage match.
• India was leading by 23-11 at half time but Iran put pressure in the second half.
• India won the last edition of the Asian Kabaddi championship in 2017.
• India has become the most effective team in the Asian Kabaddi championship.
• This year’s, Asian Kabaddi Championship was held in South Korea.
• The first Asian Kabaddi Championship was hosted by India in Kolkata, India in 1980.

Topic: National News

11. PM participated in the centenary celebrations of Delhi University and laid the foundation stone of three buildings.

• On 30 June, PM Narendra Modi took part in the Valedictory Ceremony of the Centenary celebrations of Delhi University and laid the foundation stone of three buildings of the University.
• PM laid the foundation stone of the Delhi University Computer Center and the building of the Faculty of Technology, and the academic block, which will be built in the North Campus of the University.
• On 30 June, the Prime Minister took a metro ride from Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station to Vishwa Vidyalaya Metro Station to visit Delhi University.
• On May 1, 1922, the University of Delhi was established.
• In these years, the university has grown and expanded tremendously and now has 86 departments, 90 colleges, and over 6 lakh students and has contributed immensely to nation-building.

Topic: Sports

12. India's national men's football team reached the 100th spot in the FIFA world rankings.

• India's national men's football team has made a significant improvement in its position in the recently released FIFA World Rankings.
• Indian team has reached from 101st to 100th position. The team achieved this position leaving behind Lebanon and New Zealand.
• This achievement has made India the 18th-ranked team in Asia and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
• In the month of June, India gained 4.24 ranking points in seven matches.
• This success of the Indian men's football team will have a huge impact on the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers draw.
• Due to Lebanon's one-point deficit after their loss to India in the Intercontinental Cup final, the positions of the two countries changed in the AFC standings.
• FIFA World Cup 2022 winners Argentina have retained the top spot above France, while the USA has moved closer to the top 10.
• America has now moved from 13th to 11th position.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

13. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission to be launched by PM Modi in Madhya Pradesh.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission on 1st July in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh.
• During the event, the PM will also distribute sickle cell genetic status cards to beneficiaries.
• He will also start the distribution of about 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana cards in Madhya Pradesh.
• The main aim of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission is to resolve the health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among the tribal population.
• The mission's launch will play a crucial role in the Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047.
• The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was announced in the Budget of 2023.
• It will be implemented in 278 districts of 17 states. This includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• Sickle-cell anaemia is caused by a defective gene, Haemoglobin S.
• In this disease, red blood cells become stiff sickle-shaped cells. It obstructs the flow of blood in the body.

Topic: Important Days

14. National Doctors' Day: 1 July

• National Doctors' Day is celebrated in India on 1 July. It is celebrated in memory of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.
• It is celebrated every year to honour the contribution of Doctors.
• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) observes the day in India to honor all physicians and healthcare professionals.
• The first National Doctor's Day was celebrated on 1 July in 1991.
• India's doctor-population ratio is 1:854.
• As of June 2022, there were 13,08,009 allopathic doctors registered with State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission.
• There are 34.33 lakhs registered nursing personnel and 13 lakhs Allied and Healthcare professionals in India.
• The theme for National doctor’s day 2022 was 'Family Doctors on the Front Line'.
• Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy:
  • He was a renowned physician, educator, independence fighter, and social worker.
  • He also served as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 to 1962.
  • He was born Patna, Bihar on July 1, 1882.