Daily Current Affairs and GK | 10 May 2023

Topic: Indian Polity

1. High Court does not have power to direct changes in the Scheduled Tribes list: CJI

• Recently, the Manipur High Court directed State government to consider inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list.
• According to Article 342, tribe can be included or excluded from the list of Scheduled Tribes by President after consultation with the Governor of concerned state.
• Chief Justice Chandrachud orally said that High Court does not have the power to direct changes in the Scheduled Tribes List.
• As per the judgement in State of Maharashtra versus Milind in 2000, State governments or courts or tribunals or any other authority cannot modify or amend the list of Scheduled Tribes.
• The Constitution Bench specified that under Article 342 the Scheduled Tribes list can be amended only by law made by the Parliament.
• Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution of India define who would be Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with respect to any State or Union Territory.
• Article 332 provides reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in Legislative Assemblies of the States.
• Meitei Community:
  • They are the predominant ethnic group of Manipur.
  • They use Meitei language (also known as the Manipuri language) which is one of the 22 official languages of India.
  • They are primarily settled in the Imphal Valley region of Manipur.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. Lionel Messi won the World Sportsman of the Year award at Laureus World Sports Awards organized in Paris.

• Lionel Messi also received another award as part of team of the year for the victory of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup last year.
• This is Messi’s second individual title. He shared the Sportsman of the Year award with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
• Messi is the 1st athlete who has won individual and team awards in the same year (2023).
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the Sportswoman of the Year award.
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a Jamaican sprinter who last year won 100-meter gold at the World Athletics Championships for the fifth time.
• Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz was given the Breakthrough of the Year award. Alcaraz won the US Open last year as a teenager.
• Laureus World Sports Awards were held in person in Paris for the first time since 2020. They were held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Other winners of awards are given below.
  • World Team of the Year Award: Argentina Men’s Football Team
  • World Comeback of the Year Award: Christian Eriksen
  • World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Catherine Debrunner
  • World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Eileen Gu
  • Laureus Sport for Good Award: TeamUp
• Laureus World Sports Award:
  • It is an annual award ceremony, which honours individuals and teams from the sports world for their achievements.
  • It is presented by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. It is often referred to as Oscar of sports.
  • In the 2020 ceremony, Lionel Messi became the first footballer who won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

3. Israel and India sign agreement to allow 42,000 Indians to work in Israel.

• Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was in New Delhi for a three-day visit to India. The visit was cut short due to security situation arising out of Israel’s operation in the Gaza Strip.
• Israeli Foreign Minister held talks with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar. The ministers signed this agreement.
• As part of the agreement, 42,000 Indians will be allowed to work in Israel in the fields of construction and nursing.
• The addition of these workers will help deal with the rising cost of living in Israel and assist many families waiting for nursing care.
• 34,000 workers will be engaged in the construction field and another 8,000 will be engaged for fulfilling nursing needs.
• Cohen emphasized that India can play significant role in expanding Abraham accords.
• In 2020, the Abraham Accord was the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
• Earlier this week, officials from the United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and India met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• They discussed a rail and port network linking the Gulf states and India.
• At the end of March 2023, Knesset's (Israeli parliament) Speaker Amir Ohana visited India.
• Israel’s Minister of Economy Nir Barkat then visited in April 2023.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. A learning management information system has been launched by Union Health Ministry.

• It is named as SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management).
• Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan launched SAKSHAM. It is a digital learning platform.
• It is a platform for providing online training and medical education to all health professionals in India.
• It will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals.
• As of now, the platform is hosting over 200 public health and 100 clinical courses through online mode.
• National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi has developed this platform.

Topic: State News/ Telangana

5. A Robotics Framework introduced by Telangana Govt.

• It has been introduced for providing roadmap to promote robotic ecosystem in State. It is the first of its kind policy in the country.
• Under the initiative, a Telangana Robotics Innovation Center (TRIC) will be set up by the government to implement the framework.
• It will focus on the key pillars of access to infrastructure, business enablement, promotion of research and innovation, development of a skilled workforce and responsible deployment.
• The framework will foster an innovation ecosystem that will help the state build robots not only for the country but for the world.
• An MoU has been signed by the State government with IIT-Hyderabad, AgHub of State Agriculture University, and a few others to enhance the robotics ecosystem in the state and promote innovation, research, and growth in the field.
• In addition, a Robo Park will be set up by the government, which will provide testing facilities, co-working options, and co-production/manufacturing options.
• It will also establish a robotics accelerator to provide start-ups with incubation, infrastructure, authorisation support, market insights, investor connect, and mentorship support.
• Previously, the State has launched five frameworks covering the niche technology areas of Blockchain (2018), Drones (2019), AI (2020), Cloud Adoption Framework (2021), and Spacetech (2022).

Topic: State News/ Rajasthan

6. On 10 May, various projects launched by PM Modi in Rajasthan to boost infrastructure & connectivity.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a one-day visit to Rajasthan on 10 May.
• He visited Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara.
• Mr. Modi also inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth over 5,500 crore rupees in Nathdwara.
• The focus of these projects is on strengthening the infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
• The road and railway sector projects will facilitate the movement of goods and services, thereby promoting trade and commerce and improving the socio-economic condition of the people in the region.
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment work of Udaipur Railway Station.
• This will not only provide better facilities to the passengers at the station but will also give a boost to tourism in the Udaipur region.
• In addition, he laid the foundation stone for the gauge conversion project and for setting up of a new line from Nathdwara to Nathdwara town in Rajsamand.
• Three national highway projects have been dedicated by PM Modi to the nation, including a six-lane Udaipur to Shamlaji section of NH-48 and widening and strengthening work of Bar-Bilara-Jodhpur Section of NH-25.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

7. Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) launched India Jewellery Exposition 2023 (IJEX 2023) in Dubai.

• GJEPC has launched IJEX 2023 to promote “Made in India” gems and jewellery.
• IJEX 2023 is the first of its kind jewellery exposition centre in Dubai.
• IJEX 2023 is a Global Business Touchpoint, specially designed to connect GJEPC members with international buyers.
• Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary DPIIT, and Sunjay Sudhir inaugurated the centre in the presence of Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC and others.
• GJEPC has launched the first-ever exhibition at IJEX in Dubai to celebrate the first anniversary of the India-UAE CEPA.
• The Gems & Jewellery sector has gained remarkably from Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• UAE has accounted for 80% of India's plain gold jewellery exports.
• India is the leader in cut & polished diamonds. 14 out of 15 diamonds set in jewellery worldwide are processed in India.
• India is the 4th largest exporter of gold jewellery. India is the 2nd largest exporter of silver jewellery.
• India is the fastest emerging lab-grown diamond manufacturer in the world.
• India is taking steps like setting up a Gem Bourse in Jaipur and a Mega Common Facility Centre in Mumbai.   
• Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC):
  • It is India's Apex body supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • It was established in 1966. It is headquartered in Mumbai. Colin Shah is its chairman.

Topic: International News

8. Union Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired the India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) in Ottawa on 8 May.

• He co-chaired 6th India-Canada MDTI along with Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development.
• During Sixth India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue, new areas of cooperation in trade and investment were discussed, including investment promotion and cooperation, and green transition.
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal also reviewed India-Canada CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations.
• India-Canada CEPA negotiations were launched at the previous Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment meeting in March 2022.
• Earlier, CEPA negotiations were launched with the possibility of having an interim agreement or EPTA (Early Progress Trade Agreement).
• Seven rounds of negotiations have been held since then.
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal also inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at SIAL CANADA-2023, which is the largest food innovation trade show in North America.
• The delegations from the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), the APEDA, the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), and the ASSOCHAM are participating at SIAL CANADA-2023.
• Bilateral trade between India and Canada:
  • As per India Brand Equity Foundation, bilateral goods trade between India and Canada was around US$ 6.29 billion in 2021.
  • Total bilateral trade (including goods and services) was more than US$ 11 billion.
  • Major items of India's exports to Canada include gems, jewelry and precious stones, pharmaceutical products, ready-made garments, mechanical appliances, organic chemicals, etc.
  • India’s imports from Canada include pulses, roots & tubers, newsprint, wood pulp, asbestos, potash, iron scrap, copper, minerals and industrial chemicals, etc. 

Topic: State News/ Haryana

9. Haryana Cabinet approved a new Excise Policy 2023-24.

• Under this policy, retail permit fee has been imposed and excise duty on country liquor and IMFL have been increased marginally.
• The government is planning to collect Rs 400 crore for Environment and Animal Welfare.
• The use of PET bottles in the bottling of liquor will be discontinued after February 29, 2024.
• Under the new policy, the basic quota of country liquor, Indian Made Foreign Liquor and Imported Foreign Liquor will be increased.
• The labels of IFL (BIO) will be renewed at the district level for ease of doing business.
• The government has reduced fees licence fees for small breweries for promoting the MSME sector.
• The supervisory fee for wineries has been reduced to promote wineries in the state.
• Excise duty on ready-to-drink beverages and beer have been slashed to promote low-alcohol content beverages.
• The penalty provisions have been made stringent to curb pilferage of liquor by wholesale licensees.
• The limit of the maximum number of retail liquor vends in the state has been reduced from 2,600 to 2,500 in 2022-23 to 2,500 to 2,400 in 2023- 24.
• The Haryana government is aiming to cross a benchmark of Rs 10,000 crore with the successful implementation of the Excise Policy- 2022-23.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. Government renamed the programme for non-communicable diseases.

• The central government has decided to rename the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) as the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
• This step has been taken due to the addition of many new diseases or disease-groups, which prompted the central government to launch many new initiatives.
• Under the new name, all types of non-communicable diseases have been subsumed.
• Ministry of Health has communicated its decision to all states. It has also renamed the portal which enables population enumeration, risk assessment, and screening for five common NCDs.
• CPHC NPD portal will now be known as the National NCD Portal.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and diabetes are the four major cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
• As per a study ‘India: Health of the Nation’s States - The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative in 2017’ by ICMR the death from NCDs in India have increased from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.
• National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke:
  • It was launched in 2010.
  • Its main focus is on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for the prevention, and early diagnosis of Non-Communicable Diseases.
  • National Health Mission (NHM) is implementing agency of NPCDCS across the country.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

11. An MoU signed by India Post with Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Tripta Technologies for logistics services.

• Under the MoU, small and medium traders will get benefit as they will be able to use India Post as a logistics service provider across the country.
• Under the partnership, India Post, CAIT and Tripta Technologies will provide shipping and last mile delivery services to CAIT's strong merchant base and small and medium business in the unorganized sector.
• The MoU is an important step in taking e-commerce to smaller towns and rural areas and is expected to benefit thousands of merchants.
• The government has transformed the India Post by expanding service areas and through technology induction.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Awards and Prizes

12. Pulitzer Prize 2023 presented to New York Times, and Associated Press for wartime coverage in Ukraine.

• 2023 Pulitzer Prize presented to the Associated Press for Public Service for its wartime coverage of the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
• The New York Times won the Pulitzer Prize 2023 for international reporting for its stories about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Pulitzer Prizes were started by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American journalist. The Prizes were first awarded in 1917.
• Pulitzer Prizes 2023 winners in Journalism:

• Pulitzer Prizes 2023 winners in Books, Drama and Music:

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

13. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and APY completed their 8 years.

• On 9 May 2023, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana completed their eight years.
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana were launched by PM Modi in 2015 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana are insurance schemes for people.
• Atal Pension Yojana was launched to cover the exigencies in old age.
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana:
  • It provides life cover of two lakh rupees in case of death due to any reason. The premium for the scheme is 436 rupees per annum.
  • It is a one-year life insurance scheme which has to renew every year.
  • More than 16 crore people have enrolled for Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana:
  • It provides accidental death cum disability cover of two lakh rupees.
  • The premium for this scheme is 20 rupees per annum.
  • More than 34 crore enrolments have been made under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
  • More than one lakh 15 thousand families have received claims under this scheme.
• Atal Pension Yojana:
  • The subscribers of the scheme of this scheme will receive a minimum monthly pension ranging from one thousand to five thousand after 60 years of age.
  • The pension will depend on the contributions made by the subscriber.
  • It is open to all bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years.
  • More than five crore people have subscribed to Atal Pension Yojana.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Books and Authors

14. Amitabh Kant’s new book titled “Made In India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise” is released.

• “Made In India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise” is a book authored by Amitabh Kant.
• It is an attempt by Amitabh Kant to shed light on the second-generation reforms which started in 2014.
• Amitabh Kant played a key role in flagship many initiatives like Make In India, Start-up India, Performance-Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI), Aspirational Districts, e-Mobility, Green Hydrogen, etc.
• The first chapter of the book is about how the British destroyed the Indian economy and what was India’s position on independence.
• Kant’s role in developing India’s tourism industry, especially putting Kerala on the global tourist map through the ‘God’s Own Country’ campaign are some key points of the book.
• It is published by Rupa Publications.
• Amitabh Kant was the second chief executive officer of NITI Aayog.