Daily Current Affairs and GK | 3 March 2021

Topic: Important Days

1. Third Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrations started on 1 March.

• Third Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrations have started on 1 March, and they will continue until 7 March.
• On this occasion, HEALTH Check-up Camps were organized by Jan Aushadhi Kendras all over India.
• 3^rd Janaushadhi Diwas will be celebrated by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) on 7 March, 2021. Theme of 3^rd Janaushadhi Diwas is “Seva bhi – Rozgar bhi”.
• Janaushadhi Diwas is celebrated every year. BPPI is implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
• “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” is an initiative by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Important Days

2. 45^th Civil Accounts Day celebrated for the first time by virtual mode.

• On 1 March 2021, 45^th Civil Accounts Day was celebrated for the first time by virtual mode.
• Civil Accounts Day is celebrated every year on 1 March. On 1 March 1976, the Departmentalization of Union Accounts (Transfer of Personnel) Act, 1976 came into effect.
• Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest of celebrations. She acknowledged that Treasury Single Accounts System (TSA) had been launched in 15 autonomous bodies in 1^st phase.
• She further acknowledged that Civil Accounts Organisation stands committed to extend TSA to 40 Autonomous Bodies by next Independence Day.
• The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in the Department of Expenditure under Ministry of Finance is head of Indian Civil Accounts Organisation.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Days

3. World Wildlife Day: 3 March

• World Wildlife Day is observed every year on March 3.
• The theme of World Wildlife Day 2021 is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”.
• The aim of celebrating World Wildlife Day is to establish awareness, cooperation, and coordination towards the conservation of wildlife on a global scale.
• The day also marks the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
• On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly, in its 68th session, decided to celebrate March 3 as World Wildlife Day.
• The theme aligns with SDG 1 (End Poverty in all its forms), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land- Sustainably manage forests).

Topic: Space and IT

4. Russia launches “Arktika-M”- the first satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate.

• Russia has launched its first satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment named “Arkitka-M”.
• The carrier rocket Soyuz-2.1b with Arktika-M satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
• This satellite will provide continuous monitoring of the northern territory of Russia and the seas of the Arctic Ocean.
• The monitoring system will require at least two satellites. The second satellite is planned to be launched in 2023.
• Arctic region:
  • It is a polar region in the northernmost part of the Earth.
  • Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, Alaska, Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden are part of the Arctic region.
  • Global warming is leading to Arctic Sea ice shrinkage, melting of Greenland’s ice sheet, and release of methane gas.
  • One of the key goals of Russian President Vladimir Putin is the economic development of the Arctic region. The region holds a huge reserve of oil and gas.

Topic: Sports

5. Odisha to host 2020-21 Indian Women’s League.

• The All India Football Federation has announced that Odisha will host the 2020-21 Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL).
• It will be the fifth edition of IWL. The first edition of IWL was also hosted by Odisha in 2016.
• Odisha government is a strategic partner of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
• India will also host the AFC Women’s Asia Cup in 2022 and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022.
• All India Football Federation (AIFF):
  • It is the governing body of football in India that was established on 23 June 1937.
  • Current President of AIFF: Praful Patel
  • Headquarters of AIFF: New Delhi

Topic: State News/ Haryana

6. Haryana Government approves 75% reservation for locals in private sector jobs.

• The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Bill, 2020 has got assent from the governor of Haryana.
• The Haryana legislative assembly had passed this bill last year. It provides 75 percent reservation for locals in private sector jobs with salaries below Rs 50,000 per month.
• The new reservation law will be initially applicable for 10 years. It also has provisions of penalties for the violation of the law.
• The main objective of this law is to promote employment for local people and to discourage the influx of migrants into the state.
• Andhra Pradesh is the first state in India to reserve 75% of jobs for locals in private jobs.
• Haryana:
  • It is located in the northern region of India. It is bounded by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • It has 22 districts and its Capital is Chandigarh.
  • Satyadev Narayan Arya is the current Governor of Haryana.
  • Chief Minister of Haryana: Manohar Lal Khattar

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

7. IAF will participate in Exercise Desert Flag for the first time.

• For the first time, the Indian Air Force will participate in the ‘Exercise Desert Flag-06’ at Al-Dhafra airbase in UAE.
• Exercise ‘Desert Flag’ is an annual warfare exercise of the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
• Air Force of United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain will also participate in this exercise.
• The Exercise ‘Desert Flag’ is scheduled to be organised from March 3 to 27 in the Persian Gulf region.
• The Indian Air Force is participating with six Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft.
• The exercise will give an opportunity to participating forces to exchange knowledge and experience, and enhancing operational capabilities and interoperability.
• The ‘Exercise Desert Eagle’ is also a bilateral air exercise between India and UAE.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

8. Government approved Nag River Pollution Abatement Project.

• The Nag River Pollution Abatement Project has been approved by the government to treat the untreated sewage and industrial waste flowing into the Nag River in Nagpur.
• The Nag River Pollution Abatement Project has been announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari after a meeting with World Bank officials and other stakeholders.
• The project has been approved as part of the National River Conservation Plan and it will be implemented by the National River Conservation Directorate.
• The total estimated cost of the project will be around Rs 2,117 crore. It will help in reducing the pollution level in the Nag River and its tributaries.
• Nag River:
  • It originates in Lava hills near wadi. It is part of the Kanhan-Pench river system.
  • It flows through the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra.
  • The National River Conservation Directorate approved the Nag River Rejuvenation in November 2019.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Miscellaneous

9. Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV merged into Sansad TV.

• Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV have been merged into one channel, which will now be known as Sansad TV.
• The plan of merger was proposed by an expert committee headed by Surya Prakash in 2019.
• Ravi Capoor has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of ‘Sansad TV’ for one year.
• Sansad TV will telecast the proceedings of Upper and Lower Houses on two different channels.
• Lok Sabha TV was launched in 2006, while Rajya Sabha TV was launched in 2011.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

10. US imposes new sanctions on Russia for poisoning Alexei Navalny.

• The United States government has imposed new sanctions on Russia in the matter of poisoning the opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
• US administration has imposed sanctions on seven Russian government officials and 14 Russian companies.
• The sanctions have been imposed by the Biden administration in coordination with the European Union. The US and EU are demanding to free Alexei Navalny from prison.
• Alexei Navalny:
  • Alexei Navalny is an opposition leader and anti-corruption activist of Russia.
  • He is the leader of the Russia of the Future party and the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

11. Japan rejected the Chinese claim over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

• Japan has criticized and rejected China’s claim over disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.
• Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo has affirmed that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japanese territory. The Chinese claim over the Senkaku islands is a violation of international law.
• Earlier, China’s Defense Ministry has said the Senkaku islands are an inherent territory of China. He justified the activities of the coast guard near the Senkaku Islands.
• The Japanese government has authorized the Japan Coast Guard to use weapons against any forceful landing attempt.
• Recently, the Chinese government has passed legislation that allows China’s coast guards to use weapons within their jurisdiction.
• Senkaku Islands:
  • It is a group of Otsuri, Minamikojima and Kitakojima islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.
  • At present, Senkaku islands are under the Control of Japan but China and Taiwan claim them.
  • Its legal status is still disputed. 

Topic: Corporates/Companies

12. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Board gives approval to sale of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s stake in Numaligarh Refinery.

• The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Board approves the sale of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s 61.65% stake in Numaligarh Refinery, Assam.
• The Board approved stake sale for 9,875 crore rupees to Oil India Limited, Engineers India Ltd and Assam Government.
• Government has also got many expressions of Interest for privatization of Shipping Corporation of India Limited.  
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a Maharatna oil refining and marketing company. Its headquarters are located in Mumbai.
• Numaligarh Refinery is owned by Numaligarh Refinery Limited. Numaligarh Refinery Limited is a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Oil India and Assam Government.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Appointments

13. Matam Venkata Rao appointed as MD and CEO of Central Bank of India.

• Matam Venkata Rao has been appointed as MD and CEO of the Central Bank of India.
• He was serving as Executive Director of Canara Bank until 1 March 2021. 
• He has been appointed for a period of three years. In May 2020, his name was recommended by Bank Board Bureau for appointment as MD and CEO of Central Bank of India.
• He has been appointed in place of M D Pallav Mohapatra. M D Pallav Mohapatra retired as MD & CEO of Central Bank of India on February 28, 2021.
• Central Bank of India was founded in 1911. Its headquarters are in Mumbai.