Daily Current Affairs and GK | 30 June 2020

1. Government of India banned 59 Chinese mobile apps.

• Recently the Indian government has banned 59 Chinese mobile apps.
• These restricted apps include Tik Tok, Helo, Shareit, We Chat, etc.
• The main reasons for banning these apps-
  • This decision has been taken for the sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the state and public order.
  • At present, concerns have arisen for aspects related to data security and protecting the privacy of 130 crore Indians. This also threatens the sovereignty and security of the country.
  • Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent a recommendation to block these malicious apps.
  • The Computer Emergency Response Team has received numerous representations from citizens regarding data security and privacy violations on public order issues.

(Source: News on AIR)

2. June 29: National Statistics Day.

• Every year 29 June is celebrated as National Statistics Day in India.
• This year, due to the global pandemic, Statistics Day was observed through video conferencing.
• This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prof. PC Mahalanobis to commemorate his invaluable contribution in establishing the National Statistical System.
• This year its theme is “Achieving SDG-3- Ensuring Healthy Living and SDG-5 Gender Equality.”
• The PC Mahalanobis National Statistics Award has also been instituted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on this occasion.
• The PC Mahalanobis National Statistics Award 2020 was conferred on Dr. Chakravarti Rangarajan, former Governor of Reserve Bank of India, for his outstanding contribution to the National Statistical System in India.

(Source: News on AIR)

3. World Asteroid Day: 30 June.

• World Asteroid Day is an annual global event celebrated every year.
• The purpose of celebrating World Asteroid Day is to raise public awareness of the asteroid impact threat and to inform the public about the crisis communication actions to be taken globally.
• It is held to commemorate the anniversary of the Siberian Tunguska event that took place on June 30, 1908, the most damaging known asteroid-related event on Earth in recent history.
• In its resolution in December 2016, the United Nations declared 30 June as Asteroid Day to be observed globally every year.
• Asteroids – These are small rock-like structures that revolve around the Sun. These are found orbiting around the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

4. India-France Foreign Secretary level consultations held via video conference.

• Recently, India and France Foreign Secretary level consultations were concluded through video conferencing.
• Foreign Secretary Harshvardhan Shringla and François Deltre, Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France participated in the talks.
• Highlights of the talks:
  • The progress of multidimensional cooperation between the two countries was reviewed.
  • In the context of Covid-19, views were exchanged on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
  • India welcomed France joining the coalition for a disaster resistance structure.
  • France welcomed India's participation in the United Nations Security Council in 2021-22.
• France:
  • It is a West European country. It is very famous for its Mediterranean shores.
  • Its capital is Paris and the currency is the euro.

5. Pradhan Mantri Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises launched.

• Recently Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has launched the Pradhan Mantri Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises
• This plan is a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• An investment of Rs 35,000 crore will be made under this centrally sponsored scheme.
• This will provide employment to 900,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers.
• Also, ready-to-eat products will be considered as a possible opportunity under this.

(Source: News on AIR)

6. National Fertilizer Limited started five mobile soil testing laboratories.

• Recently National Fertilizer Limited has started five mobile soil testing laboratories.
• Chairman and Managing Director of National Fertilizers Limited V.N. Dutt recently flagged off the first mobile lab from the company's corporate office in Noida.
• These laboratories will test soil samples near the farmers' house for free.
• These will develop soil testing facilities in the country and will motivate farmers to use fertilizers appropriately.
• These mobile laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for soil testing, which can detect nutrients in the soil.
• National Fertilizers Limited:
  • It is a Mini Ratna company.
  • It produces chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
  • It is headquartered in Noida.
  • It was established on 1 September 1979.

(Source: News on AIR)

7. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh started a new web portal for issue of NOC for power, oil and gas exploration projects.

• Recently Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has started a new web portal.
• From this web portal, No Objection Certificate (NOC) will be issued for power projects and Research Survey Exploration Exploitation (RSEE) activities in the Indian Territorial Waters (TW) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• The online system will establish a transparent, quick and efficient mechanism to process the proposals.
• The Ministry had earlier also started such a portal for obtaining No Objection Certificate for aerial survey.
• The portal has been developed with the joint effort of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG) and the National Informatics Center (NIC).

(Source: News on AIR)

8. The government launches the seven-year floating rate saving bonds 2020 scheme.

• Recently the Government of India has launched a seven-year Floating Rate Saving Bonds 2020 Scheme.
• The scheme will commence from July 1.
• Floating rate saving bonds will enable a person living in India or a Hindu undivided family to invest in taxable bonds without any upper monetary limit.
• Interest on this bond will be payable semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 of each year.
• The coupon will be paid at 7.15% on 1 January 2021.

9. Scientists at National Chemical Laboratory, Pune have developed a portable oxygen unit.

• Recently scientists at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune have developed a portable oxygen unit.
• It can be used in homes, hospitals and remote rural areas.
• The specialty of this unit is that it does not require oxygen cylinders.
• Use of this unit can help reduce the demand for ventilators and oxygen cylinders.
• This may prove to be very important in the event of a COVID-19 pandemic.
• National Chemical Laboratory:
  • It is an Indian government laboratory.
  • It is a constituent member of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
  • It was established in 1950, in Pune.

(Source: News on AIR)

10. Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines for Unlock-2.

• Recently the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines for Unlock-2.
• These have been released to open more activities in areas outside the Containment Zone.
• The new guidelines will come into effect from 1 July 2020, under which the process of reopening activities will be taken forward in a phased manner.
• While the lockdown will be strictly enforced in the Containment Zone till 31 July 2020.
• The new Unlock-2 guidelines are as follows-
  • Metro rail service, cinema hall, gymnasium, swimming pool, amusement park, theater, bar, auditorium, assembly hall and other such places will remain closed.
  • Similarly, social, political, sports, entertainment, educational, cultural and religious work and other large circles will not be allowed.
  • Also, schools, colleges and coaching institutes will remain closed till 31 July.
  • As per the guidelines, the night curfew deadline is being relaxed further and the curfew will remain in force from 10 am to 5 am.
  • Shops, depending on the area, can take more than 5 persons at once, however, they must maintain sufficient physical distance.
  • The training institutes of the central and state governments will be allowed to function from July 15.