Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 June 2023

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

1. Government is planning to design Human Development Index for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

• The Union government is planning to design a survey for developing Human Development Index (HDI) specifically for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• 28 lakh people of PVTGs are living in more than 22,000 villages across the country.
• The changes in their lifestyle and culture will be documented and a database will be developed at the village level.
• The purchasing capacity of PVTGs and the changes in their economic activities will be also documented in the survey.
• A ₹15,000-crore expenditure outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM-PVTG) Development Mission was announced in the latest Budget. It will be spent over the next three years.
• The government is also planning to connect all 22,544 PVTG villages to basic services like communications, electricity, public education, healthcare, water supply, and connectivity.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs is also planning to test and collect data on tribal people with Sickle-Cell Disease (SCD). This will help prevent the spread of the disease among the tribal population.
• PVTG is a sub-classification of a Scheduled Tribe or section of a Scheduled Tribe. PVTGs were first identified by the Dhebar Commission.

Topic: International News

2. New Zealand entered into recession as GDP falls 0.1 per cent in the March quarter.

• According to government data published, New Zealand’s gross domestic product fell 0.1% in the first quarter.
• New Zealand's economy was fallen 0.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction.
• New Zealand’s economy has effected due to measures taken by the central bank to control inflation.
• The interest rate has reached on 14-year high. It has created a negative impact on the manufacturing sector.
• The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has implemented its most aggressive monetary policy tightening since 1999. It has increased its cash rate by 525 basis points since October 2021.
• The central bank has already projected a recession for the second quarter of 2023.
• Due to bad weather, farm production has also drastically fallen in New Zeland.
• Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland flash floods had also affected the economic activities of New Zealand in the first quarter.

Topic: State News/Madhya Pradesh

3. Madhya Pradesh's Niwari district became the second Har Ghar Jal district in the state.

• In every house in this district, the drinking water is being supplied from tap.
• Already Burhanpur district of the state has got the distinction of being the country's first Har Ghar Jal district.
• 100% tap water has been supplied in Niwari to 55 thousand 645 houses in all 253 villages of the district.
• Tap water has been arranged in all the rural houses of Niwari district through three groups of tap water schemes.
• Tap water facilities have been provided to 100% of houses in 30 villages through the Niwari Group Tap Water Scheme, 143 villages through the Niwari-Prithvipur-1 Group Tap Water Scheme, and 80 villages through the Niwari-Prithvipur-2 Group Tap Water Scheme.
• Till now tap water has been supplied to more than 60 lakh 7 thousand houses in the state.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Indian Economy

4. India achieved an all-time high export of seafood by exporting 17,35,286 metric tonnes worth over Rs 63,969 crore.

• India achieved this feat in terms of volume and value (both US$ and Rupee) during FY 2022-23 despite the several challenges in its major export markets like USA.
• During the financial year 2022-23, exports grew by 26.73% in volume terms, 11.08% in rupee terms, 4.31% in US dollar terms.
• India exported 13,69,264 metric tonnes of seafood worth Rs 57,586.48 crore (US$ 7,759.58 million) in the financial year 2021-22.
• Frozen shrimp remained the major export item both in terms of quantity and value, while the United States and China became the major importers of Indian seafood followed by the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East.
• Export of Frozen shrimp earned Rs 43,135.58 crore (US$ 5481.63 million) and maintained its strong position as the most important item in terms of seafood exports.
• In the year 2022-23, there is an increase of 74.06%, 68.64% and 55.41% in the export of Black Tiger (Bt) shrimp in terms of quantity, rupee value and US dollar, respectively.
• Japan became the major market for black tiger shrimp exports with a share of 25.38% in terms of US$ value, followed by the European Union (25.12%) and the United States of America (14.90%).
• The second largest item exported is Frozen Fish at Rs 5,503.18 crore (US$ 687.05 million) in value terms and 21.24% in volume terms and 8.49% in terms of earnings in US dollar terms.
• This year the export of Frozen Fish has increased by 62.65%, 58.51% and 45.73% in terms of quantity, rupee and US dollar value respectively.

Topic: Award and Prizes

5. 2023 Iqbal Masih Award presented to lawyer-activist Lalitha Natarajan for the Elimination of Child Labour.

• On May 30, US Consul General Judith Ravin presented the award to Chennai-based lawyer-activist at a ceremony at the US Consulate General in Chennai.
• Natarajan has worked throughout her career as an advocate and activist to apply a rights-based approach to child labor.
• As a leader in the fight to end exploitative child labor in southern India, she identifies victims of trafficking, particularly bonded labor, to assist in their reintegration into society.
• She ensures victims receive compensation under the Child Labor Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
• The Iqbal Masih Award is a US Congress-mandated, non-monetary award. In 2008, the Secretary of Labour established the award to honour exceptional contributions to combating child labour.
• The Iqbal Masih Award is named after Iqbal Masih who was a Pakistani child sold into slavery at age 4 as a carpet weaver, who escaped his captors at age 10.
• Iqbal Masih became an outspoken public advocate against child abuse, for which he received several human rights awards until he was tragically killed in 1995 at the age of 12.
• The award commemorates the World Day Against Child Labour, which is observed every year on June 12 to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.

Topic: Miscellaneous

6. India will participate in the Annecy International Animation Festival (AIAF) in France for the first time in 2023.

• An Indian delegation led by I&B Secretary Apoorva Chandra along with eminent personalities from the animation industry is showcasing India's capability in creating animation and VFX content to a global audience at AIAF.
• India has recently emerged as a preferred destination for global production hub for VFX and animation content.
• Mr. Chandra said about India's participation , India is embracing world-class and innovative technology with extremely talented professionals in the fields of animation, gaming, visual effects and comics.
• India is one of the few countries that is providing cash incentives to foreign companies for making AVGC material.
• The incentives that are given for shooting films in India are also being given to animation companies.
• India is committed to animation promoting the industry as well as supporting it in pre and post production activities.
• At the event, Shri Chandra met AIAF Director Michael Marin and discussed possibilities of strengthening India's engagement in Annecy and cooperation between India and France to host an animation film festival in India.
• He also inaugurated the Indian Pavilion, which has been designed on the theme of Saraswati Yantra.
• The animation and VFX market in India was pegged at Rs 109 billion in 2021, with the VFX business alone estimated at Rs 50 billion.
• This figure is expected to increase to Rs 180 billion by 2024.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

7. Telangana’s five buildings and structures have been chosen for the ‘International Green Apple Awards for Beautiful Buildings’.

• They have been chosen under the Urban and Real Estate Sector category by ‘The Green Organisation’.
• The chosen buildings and structures include the following:
  • Mozzam-Jahi Market in the Heritage category, for its excellent restoration and re-use
  • Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge in the bridge category for its unique design
  • B R Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat Building, in the aesthetically designed office and workspace building category
  • Integrated Command Control Centre of Telangana Police in the unique office category
  • Yadadri Temple, abode of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, in the excellent religious structures category
• It is for the first time that any building and structure from India is being awarded the prestigious Green Apple awards.
• Telangana has the honour of receiving all five awards.
• The Green Organisation is a London-based independent non-profit organisation.
• It was set up in 1994. It is committed to promoting environmental best practices worldwide.
• The ‘International Beautiful Buildings Green Apple Awards’ recognise buildings having a positive and visually appealing influence on their surroundings. 

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Reports and Indices/Rankings

8. NTPC’s rank in Forbes 'The Global 2000'- List for 2023 improves by 52 places.

• It has secured 433rd rank in Forbes 'The Global 2000'- List for 2023.
• It was on 485th rank in the Forbes 'The Global 2000'- List last year.
• Reliance Industries has remained at the top among Indian corporates in the 2023 edition of the list.
• Reliance Industries is placed at 45 in the overall ranking of 2000 global companies. Its ranking improved from 53 in 2022 to 45 in 2023.
• In the ranking, State Bank of India at 77, HDFC Bank at 128 and ICICI Bank at 163 are included. 
• Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has made a first-time entry to the Forbes list this year. It is ranked 363.
• Total 55 Indian firms have featured on the list. US’s bank, JP Morgan has topped the Forbes Global 2000 List this year.  
• Saudi Arabia’s Oil company Aramco has been ranked second.
• 'The Global 2000' List recognizes the world's largest companies.
• They are recognized based on four key metrics- sales, profits, assets and market value.
• National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) is India’s largest power generation company.
• NTPC Limited is a central Public Sector Undertaking. It is under the ownership of Ministry of Power. It was founded in 1975. Gurdeep Singh is its Chairman and MD.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Banking System

9. RBI allowed banks to settle loans of wilful defaulters under a compromise settlement.

• Bank and finance companies can settle loans of accounts classified as ‘wilful defaulters’ by entering into compromise settlements or technically writing off the loans.
• RBI issued a circular regarding this on 8 June 2023. As per the circular, banks can undertake compromise settlements with wilful defaulters without prejudice to the criminal proceeding underway against such debtors.
• This step has been taken to help banks in recovering their money on time.
• As per the framework, the bank boards have been authorized to grant such leniency as they deem fit, for compromise settlements of wilful defaulters.
• RBI has said that all regulated entities (REs) will be required to put in place board-approved policies for settlement settlement with borrowers as well as for technical write-offs.
• The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) and the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) are criticizing this move of RBI.
• According to them, wilful defaults have a significant impact on the financial stability of banks and the overall economy.
• The list of top wilful defaulters is not yet has been published by RBI.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

10. Two films from the South-East Asia Region have been awarded at WHO’s Health for All Film Festival 2023.

• 'One in 36 Million: Story of Childhood Lead Poisoning in Bangladesh' film won the award under the Better Health and Well-being category.
• It is directed by Arifur Rahma and Mitali Das and produced by Pure Earth Bangladesh.
• 'When Climate Change Turns Violent' from India won the Special Prize under the Climate Change and Health category.
• Health for All Film Festival was initiated by WHO in 2019 to make audio-visual language a key component of the WHO’s "communicating for health impact" approach.
• More than 780 entries were received for this year’s award. Out of them, 93 films were shortlisted.
• The films were judged by a panel of distinguished professionals, artists and activists.
• Senior experts and acclaimed professionals in the field of filmmaking further screened the shortlisted films.
• Targeted short films can improve the health status of some groups and encourage behavioural change by providing knowledge, motivation, or skills.

Topic: Important Days

11. World Blood Donor Day 2023: 14 June

• World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June.
• It is observed to raise awareness about the importance of blood and blood products, the need for blood donation and the safety of blood transfusion.
• The theme of World Blood Donor Day 2023 is 'Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.'
• The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered and classified the ABO blood groups.
• In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) established World Blood Donor Day.
• It was officially designated as an annual event by the World Health Assembly in 2005.
• In 1919, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was established.
• Its goal was to increase global awareness of the need for healthy people to donate blood safely.
• Algeria will host the global event of World Blood Donor Day 2023.
• Blood is a connective tissue that delivers essential substances like oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells. An average person has about 5 litres of blood.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Report/Indices and Ranking

12. UN report said, Global displacement levels reached a record 110 million.

• The number of people forcibly displaced around the world has reached a record 110 million people, with millions more fleeing their homes due to conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan.
• UNHCR said in a report that 108.4 million people were displaced in the last year. The number was 19.1 million up from 2021, making it to be the biggest increase since the records began in 1975
• Sudan's eight-week-old conflict has caused the number to rise to 110 million.
• Around 467,000 people have fled Sudan since fighting broke out in mid-April, while more than 1.4 million have become internally displaced.
• The report said that more than one in every 74 people is now displaced.
• Nearly half of the total refugees and people in need of international protection came from just three countries: Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan.
• Last year, around 339,000 refugees returned to 38 countries, while 5.7 million internally displaced people returned home.

Topic: State News/ Arunachal Pradesh

13. Arunachal Pradesh CM launched 'Arunpol App'.

• ‘Arunpol App' of Arunachal Pradesh Police has been launched by CM Pema Khandu.
• He also flagged off an APP awareness generation vehicle from the Civil Secretariat, Itanagar.
• Through the Arunpol app, common people can lodge complaints without coming to the police station.
• People can also apply for other clearances from the police through this app.
• APP awareness generation vehicles will go to various places and will try to know the issues of people.
• Chief Minister Pema Khandu also launched E-Vigilance app for state government employees.
• This app will benefit state government employees by ensuring timely vigilance clearance.
• The DARPG and Arunachal Pradesh government has also released the first District Good Governance Index of Arunachal Pradesh on 8th June.
• The index is based on the governance level in all 25 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It is based on 136 data points under 65 indicators spread across 8 sectors.
• The rankings in the Index will bring healthy competition amongst districts to provide citizen-centric administration and good governance.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

14. ‘Sanshodhak’, fourth ship of Survey Vessel Project, has been launched by Indian Navy.

• Indian Navy’s ‘Sanshodhak’ ship has been launched on 13 Jun 2023 at Kattupalli, Chennai.
• Vice Admiral Adhir Arora was the chief guest of the Launch Ceremony.
• ‘Sanshodhak’ means ‘Researcher’ which signifies the primary role of the ship as a Survey Vessel.
• Ministry of Defense and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata had signed a contract for building four SVL ships in 2018.
• Sandhayak, Nirdeshak and Ikshak were the first three ships of the project.
• SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships. These are equipped with the new generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data.
• These SVL ships are 110 m long, 16 m wide with a displacement of 3,400 tons.
• These ships' hulls are made of indigenously developed DMR 249-A steel, which is manufactured by the Steel Authority of India Limited.
• It can carry four Survey Motor Boats and an integral helicopter. These ships will be deployed for collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for defence as well as civil purposes.

(Source: Indian Navy)