Daily Current Affairs and GK | 27 June 2024

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

1. Uttar Pradesh could become the leading producer of compressed biogas.

• As per the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Uttar Pradesh has the potential to generate 24% of India’s compressed biogas (CBG).
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) organized a symposium along with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) in Muzaffarnagar.
• The symposium highlighted that Western UP, particularly Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Saharanpur, Bijnor, Bulandshahar and Aligarh, have rich feedstock availability.
• Under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme, Uttar Pradesh could establish 1000 CBG projects.
• Limited offtake of bioslurry, partial gas offtake by oil and gas marketing companies, a shortage of skilled technical personnel, and financing difficulties are the main challenges in establishing compressed biogas plants.
• The absence of nearby CNG pipelines is also one of the main challenges.
• Banks also hesitate to finance CBG projects due to perceived risks and low margins.
• The symposium highlighted the critical role of strategic planning and collaboration among stakeholders to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of CBG in Uttar Pradesh.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

2. India's largest leopard safari has been opened to the public.

• India's largest and third leopard safari has been opened to the public at Bannerughatta Biological Park (BBP) in Bengaluru.
• Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has inaugurated this leopard safari.
• At present, eight leopards have been released into the safari. The numbers will increase in the upcoming years.
• Bannerughatta Biological Park already has lions, tigers, and sloth bears as part of its ex-situ conservation programme.
• Bannerughatta Biological Park has the largest concentration of carnivore animals among zoos.
• It is spread over a 20-hectare area and is secured with railway barricades.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

3. First International Dairy Federation Asia-Pacific Summit held in Kochi from June 26 to 28.

• It was jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and the International Dairy Federation (IDF).
• The three-day conference was held at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty.
• The event, themed 'Farmer-Centric Innovation in the Dairy Industry', brought together leaders and experts from the global dairy sector for in-depth discussions.
• It aims to collectively address key issues affecting the dairy sector, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and globally.
• These sessions promise to showcase global and regional perspectives on dairy farming and innovation.
• The event was attended by over 1,000 delegates and participants from over 20 countries.

Topic: Important Days

4. MSME Day 2024: 27 June

• Every year on June 27, Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day is observed.
• The theme of MSME Day 2024 is “Leveraging Power and Resilience of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to Accelerate Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises.”
• In order to increase public awareness of their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN General Assembly decided to celebrate this day on April 6, 2017.
• According to a report by the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), MSMEs are more than 90% of the total firms and contribute an average of 60-70% of total employment.
• Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi presided over the 'Udyami Bharat' - MSME Day celebrations.
• According to the MSME Ministry's FY23 annual report, India has around 63 million MSMEs.
• This number is second only to China's around 140 million micro and small enterprises.

Topic: Sports

5. India won a total of 11 medals in under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship.

• India concluded its campaign on a high at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship being played in Amman, Jordan.
• The young Indian contingent won a total of 11 medals including four gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
• All the four gold medals for India were won by women wrestlers.
• Deepanshi in the 46 kg category, Muskan in the 53 kg category, Rajnita in the 61 kg category and Mansi Lather in the 69 kg category performed brilliantly and won gold medals.
• Raja Bala won the silver medal in the 40 kg category.
• In men's category, Samarth Gajanan Makave won silver medal in 55 kg category.
• While, Akash in 65 kg category, Sachin Kumar in 71 kg, Vikas Kachhap in 48 kg, Tushar Tukaram Patil in 60 kg and Raunak in 110 kg weight category won bronze medal.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

6. Indian Air Force and Egyptian Air Force conducted Exercise-HOPEX to strengthen defence cooperation.

• The fourth joint exercise of IAF and EAF held in Egypt from 21 to 26 June.
• Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Egypt for “Exercise-HOPEX.”
• C-17 Globemaster and IL-78 tankers also participated in the week-long exercise.
• The exercise aims to promote bilateral and regional cooperation, symbolizing the long-term relations between the two countries.
• The Indian Air Force contingent landed in Egypt while returning from Alaska after participating in the 'Red Flag' exercise.
• On August 18, 1947, India and Egypt established diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level.
• In 2022, India and Egypt commemorated their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, demonstrating the depth of their connection.

Topic: National News

7. India's first 'Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage' Museum has been inaugurated at Shimla.

• The Museum has been inaugurated by 14th Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Girish Chandra Murmu.
• This marks a milestone in the preservation and celebration of the institution’s rich heritage and contributions to the governance of the nation.
• The museum is located at Chadwick House, a significant landmark in Shimla.
• It showcases the evolution, achievements, and milestones of the institution of CAG.
• Mahatma Gandhi stayed here in 1946 at the time of his visit to Shimla for the Cabinet Mission.
• The process of setting up Chadwick House as a museum started with signing of a MoU with its then owner, Prasar Bharati (All India Radio), in December 2020.
• The museum has ten distinct galleries. Each gallery provides detailed exploration of facets of CAG’s history, roles, and significance.
• The museum preserves artefacts, including Remington typewriters, British era franking machines etc.

Topic: International News

8. South American nation, Paraguay, has become the 100th full member to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

• On 26 June 2024, Paraguay officially handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.
• Abhishek Singh, Joint Secretary of Economic Diplomacy and States Division at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, received the ratification document.
• Singh serves as the Head of Depository for the ISA, which was co-founded by India and France during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris.
• ISA aims to promote solar energy deployment worldwide. It plays role of a collaborative platform for member countries to ensure energy security, increase energy access, and drive the transition towards sustainable energy sources.
• 119 countries are now signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.
• Out of these, 100 have finished the ratification process and become full members. Spain joined as the 99th member in May 2024.

Topic: Defence

9. Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket has been delivered by DRDO to the Indian Navy.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) delivered the Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) to the Indian Navy.
• Microwave Obscurant Chaff (MOC) technology has been developed by the DRDO’s Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur.
• Microwave Obscurant Chaff (MOC) technology obscures radar signals and creates a microwave shield around platforms and assets.
• After the rocket was fired, it forms a microwave obscurant cloud in space.
• It creates an effective shield against hostile threats having radio frequency seekers.
• The first phase trials of MR-MOCR were successfully conducted on Indian Navy ships.
• In the second phase trials, the Radar Cross-Section (RCS) reduction of an aerial target to the extent of 90 per cent has been demonstrated and cleared by the Indian Navy.

Topic: National Appointments

10. Lt Gen. NS Raja Subramani will be the new Vice Chief of Army Staff.

• Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, who is currently the Army's Central Command, will take the place of Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi.
• Lt Gen Dwivedi will retire on June 30 from the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff.
• Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani entered in Indian Army into the Garhwal Rifles in 1985.
• He has over 37 years of experience in the Indian Army, holding various positions.
• He also commanded Uttar Bharat Area in 2020 and the premier Kharga Corps at Ambala.

Topic: National Appointment

11. Om Birla elected Lok Sabha Speaker for the second term.

• Following a proposal by PM Narendra Modi to elect the NDA nominee for a second term, BJP MP Om Birla elected speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on 26 June.
• He defeated India Bloc's candidate K Suresh by voice vote in a rare contest.
• Om Birla is the only Lok Sabha Speaker to have served two full terms after Balram Jakhar in 1985.
• Om Birla has been a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan. He was also the speaker in the previous Lok Sabha (17th).
• K. Suresh of the Congress has represented the Mavelikara constituency in Kerala eight times.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defense

12. 350^th contract for miniaturized satellite signed under iDEX by Defense Ministry.

• On June 25, the Ministry of Defence announced that the 350th contract under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, signed with SpacePixel Technologies Pvt Ltd in New Delhi.
• To provide detailed Earth observation data, SpacePixel is actively working to build and launch high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites.
• The contract has been signed for the design and development of a miniaturised satellite capable of carrying electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar and hyperspectral payloads weighing up to 150 kg.
• The Indian Air Force is leading this challenge.
• In December 2022, the 150th IDEX contract was signed and the 350th contract has been signed within 18 months.
• Modular small satellites will integrate multiple small payloads as needed, offering benefits such as rapid and cost-effective deployment, ease of manufacturing, scalability, adaptability, and reduced environmental impact.
• IDEX was set up by DIO under the Department of Defence Production.
• IDEX has launched 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenge.
• Recently the Aceing Development of Innovative Technologies with IDEX (ADITI) scheme was unveiled to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.
• It is currently engaged with over 400 start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• So far, purchase of 35 items worth over Rs 2000 crore has been approved.
• In 2021, iDEX awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Public Policy in the Innovation category.

Topic: International Appointments

13. NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general.

• The outgoing Netherlands Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, will be the new secretary-general of NATO.
• His appointment has been approved by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the headquarters in Brussels.
• He will take the charge from the current secretary general, Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, on October 1.
• The Secretary’s general chairs meetings and guides often delicate consultations among member countries to ensure the organization.
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
  • It is an intergovernmental political and military alliance of North American and European countries.
  • It was created by 12 countries from Europe and North America on 4 April 1949.
  • At present, NATO has 32 member countries.
  • Its headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium.

Topic: State News/ Madhya Pradesh

14 Madhya Pradesh ministers will now have to pay their income tax themselves.

• Madhya Pradesh has decided to end the 52-year-old system of the government paying income tax on the salaries and perquisites of the ministers.
• The state cabinet approved the change in the 1972 rule under which the state government paid the income tax of salaries and perquisites of the ministers.
• As per the 1972 rule, tax expense of parliamentary secretaries were also covered by the state government.
• In the last five years, the state government has paid more than Rs 3 crore on the income tax of ministers.
• The state government has paid income tax of Rs 79 lakh of 35 public representatives including the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in 2023-24.