Daily Current Affairs and GK | 3 September 2024

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. 30 crore registrations have been made on the eShram portal in last three years.

• The eShram portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 26, 2021.
• In the last three years, 30 crore unorganized workers have been registered on the eShram portal.
• The eSharam portal works as a one-stop solution for all issues related to workers.
• This initiative aims to provide the benefit of various social security schemes implemented by different ministries and departments for unorganised workers through the eShram Portal.
• The eShram portal also spreads awareness about different schemes for unorganized workers.
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has been working to integrate major schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), etc. into the eShram Portal for the benefit of the unorganized workers.

Topic: Sports

2. India won another gold medal on the fifth day of the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris.

• In the men's singles SL3 class medal match, para shuttler Nitesh Kumar defeated Daniel Bethell of Great Britain to win his first gold medal.
• This is India’s second gold medal at the ongoing Paralympics.
• He also brought India's total of medals to nine in the process.
• Yogesh Kathuniya won silver in the men's discus throw F56 final earlier.
• Players in the SL3 class compete on a half-width court with no restriction on the shots played.
• Players with either the absence of limbs or one or both limbs with moderate restriction in movement come in the SL3 category.
• Nitesh was injured in a rail accident in 2009 in Visakhapatnam when he was 15 years old.
• He overcame the trauma and found his passion for para badminton.
• When para badminton made its debut in Tokyo three years ago, Pramod Bhagat won the title.
• However, Nitesh's victory ensured that India would retain the SL3 gold.

Topic: Defence

3. The P-8I aircraft of the Indian Navy is in France to take part in the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy.

• The P-8I aircraft of the Indian Navy has landed at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube in France.
• This is the first time it has ever been deployed in Europe.
• This deployment takes place 63 years after the flight of an Indian Naval Alize aircraft, operating from INS Vikrant, at Hyeres Airbase.
• The India-France bilateral naval Exercise Varuna is being conducted in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2-4. 
• Advanced tactical drills will be part of the exercise, highlighting the growing cooperation and interoperability between the navies of France and India.
• The bilateral naval exercise between the French and Indian Navy was started in 1993. In 2001, it was given the name "Varuna" after that.
• In order to promote mutual cooperation and maintain good order at sea, the exercise also makes it easier for the two navies to interact at the operational level.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. The first Joint Commanders' Conference (JCC) will be held from 04-05 September 2024.

• The first JCC will take place at the Headquarters Central Command, Lucknow.

• The theme of the conference is 'Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat: Transforming the Armed Forces'.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will attend the conference.
• The conference will be a platform for carrying out internal 'process reforms' within the armed forces.
• The convocation will be inaugurated by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on September 04.
• It brings together the highest ranking officials from the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense.
• The two days of discussions will be focused on examining the effects of geopolitical disruptions on a regional and global scale, as well as the pressures that these will probably make on the reforms that the armed services are implementing.
• The JCC is intended to be established as an essential platform for the highest military leadership in India to exchange concepts, tactics, and best practices.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Defence

5. The procurement of 240 aero-engines approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security for the Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft of the IAF.

• On September 2, the proposal approved for the procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Procurement (Indian) category.
• It costs over Rs 26,000 crore, including all taxes and duties.
• The delivery of these aero-engines will commence after one year and will be completed over a period of eight years.
• The engines will have over 54% indigenous content, increased due to indigenisation of some key components of the aero-engine.
• These will be manufactured at HAL's Koraput division.
• Sukhoi-30 MKI is one of the most powerful and strategically important fleets of the Indian Air Force.
• The supply of these aero-engines by HAL will meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force fleet, ensuring their uninterrupted operations and strengthening the defence preparedness of the country.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Polity

6. The constitution of the 23rd Law Commission for three-year term sanctioned by President.

• The constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India sanctioned by President Droupadi Murmu, which will serve from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.
• According to the notification issued on September 2, the commission will consist:
  • (i) a full-time Chairperson
  • (ii) four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary)
  • (iii) Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, as ex officio Member
  • (iv) Secretary, Legislative Department, as ex officio Member
  • (v) not more than five part-time Members
• The role of the Commission will be to review and recommend legal reforms to improve the Indian legal system.
• The term of the 22nd Law Commission of India ended on August 31.
• The Commission has been functioning without a chairperson for several months, and several important reports, including on Uniform Civil Code and holding of simultaneous elections, are still pending.
• The Law Commission of India's Chairman, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, resigned in March 2024 following a 17-month term in office.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. AgriSURE Fund and Krishi Nivesh Portal will be launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

• Additionally, he will present the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Excellence Awards, which are given to the best-performing states and banks in a number of areas.
• According to the Ministry, the Award Ceremony would encourage other Banks to improve their operations and help the program as a whole.
• In order to establish community farming assets and post-harvest management infrastructure, the AIF was established in 2022.
• AIF program is promoted by special campaigns.
• Excellence awards are given to Banks and States in appreciation of their efforts in executing the AIF system successfully.
• These awards are given for encouraging collaborative accomplishments, promoting excellence, and motivating future performance under the AIF.
• In July 2024, it was announced that the government plans to help start-ups and agripreneurs by launching the 'Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE).
• To increase agricultural investment, the government started the development of the "KrishiNivesh" Agriculture Investment Portal on December 5, 2022.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

8. Cabinet approved Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd's proposal to setup a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.

• With this decision, government aims to develop vibrant semiconductor ecosystem.
• The proposed unit will be established with an investment of 3,300 crore rupees.
• This unit can produce 60 lakh chips in a day. This unit will manufacture chips that are suitable for a broad range of applications.
• These cover markets like telecom, mobile phones, consumer electronics, automotive, electric vehicles, and industrial.
• With a 76 thousand crore rupee total expenditure, the Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was announced in December 2021.
• All four semiconductor units are under construction. About 1.5 lakh crore rupees will be invested in these four units.
• These units have a daily capacity of roughly seven crore chips.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

9. Union Cabinet approved seven schemes to improve farmers’ lives and increase their incomes.

• The Digital Agriculture Mission with a total cost of 2817 crore rupees has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
• This mission will act as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and other IT initiatives by the Central Government.
• Cabinet approved sustainable livestock health and production with an outlay of 1702 crore rupees. It aims to increase farmers’ income from livestock and dairy.
• The sustainable development of the Horticulture mission with a total outlay of over 1129 crore rupees has been also approved by the government.
• Union Cabinet has decided to strengthen the Krishi Vigyan Kendra with an outlay of 1202 crore rupees and natural resources management with a cost of 1115 crore rupees.
• The seven schemes for the farmers are:
  • Digital Agriculture Mission
  • Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security
  • Strengthening Agricultural Education
  •  Management and Social Sciences
  • Sustainable livestock health and production
  • Sustainable Development of Horticulture
  • Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Natural Resource Management.

Topic: Sports

10. NorthEast United won the Durand Cup 2024 by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

• NorthEast United FC won the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant by 4-3 at the Salt Lake Stadium.
• Mohun Bagan established a two-goal lead in the opening half, but NorthEast fought back after the break.
• In the penalty shootout, NorthEast United turned the tables and secured its maiden Durand Cup crown.
• NorthEast United received INR 60 lakh prize money for winning the tournament, while the runners-up were awarded INR 30 lakh.
• NorthEast United's Gurmeet Singh won the Golden Glove title for his incredible goalkeeping.
• Kerala Blasters forward Noah Sadaoui received the Golden Boot award.
• The Player of the Tournament award title was awarded to Jithin Madathil.
• The Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

11. A tracking initiative ‘Vulture Count 2024’ launched by WWF-India to keep track of nature's ‘sanitation workers.’

• WWF-India has launched this initiative that involves counting vultures and raising awareness about the critically endangered bird species.
• This campaign will start from 7 September and will run till 6 October.
• This initiative has been launched on the occasion of International Vulture Awareness Day.
• Vultures are essential to the health of ecosystems, they act as nature's clean-up crew.
• By eating carrion, they prevent the spread of diseases that might otherwise affect wildlife, livestock and humans.
• Their role in feeding on decaying animal carcasses helps in nutrient cycling and maintains ecological balance.
• The aim of the Vulture Census 2024 is to address this crisis by systematically monitoring the vulture population.
• The count will focus on major vulture species, including white-rumped vulture, red-headed vulture, Indian vulture, bearded vulture, slender-billed vulture, Himalayan griffon, Eurasian griffon, Egyptian vulture, and cinereous vulture.

Topic: Important Days

12. World Coconut Day 2024: 2 September

• Every year on September 2, World Coconut Day is celebrated.
• It is celebrated to promote the importance of coconuts and their contributions to various aspects of life.
• The theme of World Coconut Day 2024 is "Coconut for a circular economy, Building partnership for maximum value".
• This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the benefits of coconut cultivation and consumption.
• Every year, coconut producing countries around the world celebrate 2 September as World Coconut Day, which is the foundation day of the International Coconut Community (ICC).
• This is an inter-governmental organization of coconut producing countries, established in 1969 under the auspices of UNESCAP.
• India is a founding member of the ICC.
• It was first celebrated in 2009 by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).
• The Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) was established in 1969.
• Coconut Development Board celebrated World Coconut Day on 2nd September 2024 all over India.

Topic: National Appointment

13. V Satish Kumar has assumed the charge as Indian Oil Chairman.

• V Satish Kumar, who is Director (Marketing), has been given the additional charge of Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation.
• He will concurrently serve as Chairman while continuing in his role as Director (Marketing).
• He has served in various regions across the country and held key positions in IOCL.
• He has also extensive experience in engaging with multinational oil companies, serving as Non-Executive Chairman of Indian Oil Petronas.
• He played a key role in implementing key business initiatives such as the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG consumers (DBTL), the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

Topic: Sports

14. Yogesh Kathuniya won the silver medal in the men's discus throw F-56 event.

• India’s Yogesh Kathuniya clinched his second consecutive Paralympic silver medal in the men’s discus throw F-56 event.
• He throws the discus to 42.22m at the ongoing Games in Paris.
• Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dos Santos won a hat-trick of Paralympic gold medals with a throw of 46.86m.
• Greece’s Konstantinos Tzounis won the bronze with a throw of 41.32m.
• The F-56 classification covers limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power and impaired range of movement.