Daily Current Affairs and GK | 17 August 2024

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

1. An MoU signed to study augmenting water supply in Faridabad through sustainable groundwater development in Yamuna floodplains.

• An MoU was signed between Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) to address the projected water supply gap for Faridabad Smart City by 2031.
• This is an important step towards augmenting the city's water supply through sustainable development of groundwater resources in the Yamuna floodplains.
• The scope of this MoU includes a comprehensive study to assess the groundwater potential and quality in the Yamuna floodplains.
• This study will result in preparation of a comprehensive groundwater management plan.
• This will include strategies for artificial recharge and further development of groundwater resources within the specified study area in Faridabad district.
• The MoU is valid till March 31, 2025, and the study is expected to be completed by this period.

Topic: Indian Economy

2. In July, India's merchandise imports rose to $57.48 billion.

• In July this year, India's merchandise imports rose 7.4% to $57.48 billion compared to $53.49 billion in July last year.
• According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on August 14, imports of merchandise goods have increased due to surge in imports of crude oil, silver and electronic goods.
• India's merchandise export growth fell to an eight-month low in July, with exports declining 1.47% to $33.98 billion due to sluggish global demand, geopolitical challenges and falling crude oil, commodities and metal prices.
• On the services front, services exports are estimated at $28.4 billion in July this year, up 8% from $26.2 billion in the same month last year.
• Petroleum products, which account for over 15% of India's exports, fell 22% to $5.23 billion in July.
• Imports of petroleum and crude products rose 17.4% to $13.87 billion.
• In addition, Gold imports declined 10.65% to $3.13 billion in July.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. Government to include AYUSH in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

• The Union Government has decided to include the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) package under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
• The package design, hospital onboarding, treatment guidelines, outcomes and financial implications are under discussion.
• AB PM-JAY provide health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
• It will benefit 55 crore beneficiaries, corresponding to 12.34 crore families.
• Ministry of Ayush launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) in 2014.
• At present, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) runs 110 Ayush Wellness Centers along with one Ayurvedic Hospital in India.

Topic: National Appointments

4. Govind Mohan has been appointed as the new Union Home Secretary.

• Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan was appointed as the new Union Home Secretary.
• He will succeed Ajay Kumar Bhalla, whose tenure will end on August 22.
• His appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Sandeep Poundrik assumes charge as Secretary, Ministry of Steel.
• He had previously served as an advisor to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).