Daily Current Affairs and GK | 6 August 2022

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. Skill India launched the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program to upskill 75,000 workers in NDMC jurisdiction.

• The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program is funded by NDMC and SANKALP, a World Bank Project and is implemented by NSDC.
• Under this program, workers will be upskilled in different trades like construction, electrical, plumbing, pottery etc. It will increase digital literacy and encourage entrepreneurship.
• This program will be implemented in three phases through Sector Skill Councils (SSCs). It will be implemented in two modes- RPL through Camps and RPL at Employer’s premises.
• RPL is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme.
• The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program will increase employability opportunities and reduce the skill gap.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:
  • It was launched on 15 July 2015.
  • It was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
  • Its main objective is to encourage and promote skill development in the country.

Topic: International News

2. 1^st meeting of India-Mauritius High-Powered Joint Trade Committee concluded in New Delhi.

• Dr Srikar K Reddy co-chaired the High-Powered Joint Trade Committee’s first session, held in New Delhi from 1-3 August.
• The High-Powered Joint Trade Committee between India and Mauritius has been formed under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA).
• The committee reviews the general functioning and implementation of the CECPA between India and Mauritius. CECPA between India and Mauritius came into force on 1 April 2021.
• Both sides agreed to include the General Economic Cooperation (GEC) Chapter and Automatic Trigger Safeguard Mechanism (ATSM) in CECPA.
• The GEC chapter will enhance cooperation in the fields of Investments, Financial Services, Textile, Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicrafts, etc.
• Both sides also agreed to initiate discussion on the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMMA).
• Both countries also identified bilateral focal points for improving bilateral institutional cooperation.
• The trade between India and Mauritius has increased from USD 690.02 million in 2019-20 to USD 786.72 million in 2021-22.

Topic: National Appointments

3. Oil India Limited appointed Ranjit Rath as chairman and MD.

• On August 2, Ranjit Rath has been appointed as Oil India Limited's (OIL) new chairman and managing director (CMD).
• Prior to joining OIL, he was working as the CMD of Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited, which comes under the Ministry of Mines.
• He received the prestigious National Geosciences Award from the President of India in 2016.
• Oil India Limited is a Navratna Company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Topic: State News/ Bihar

4. Astronomical laboratory of a century-old Bihar college added to the UNESCO list.

• UNESCO has added the 106-year-old astronomical observatory of Langat Singh College, Muzaffarpur to its list of important endangered heritage observatories of the world.
• The astronomical observatory is under Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU).
• The first of its kind in the eastern India observatory was established in 1916 in this 123-year-old college to impart astronomical knowledge to the students in detail.
• In 1946, the college also installed a planetarium, which was perhaps the first in India.
• World Heritage Sites are the places/monuments/areas that are included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO due to their cultural, historical, natural, or any other significance.
• UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meets a minimum once a year in June or July.

Topic: Sports

5. Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia, and Sakshi Malik won gold medals in Commonwealth Games.

• Bajrang Punia won the gold medal in men's freestyle wrestling by defeating Canadian Lachlan Mcneil 9-2 in the 65kg category.
• In men's freestyle wrestling, Deepak Punia won the gold medal in the 86kg category by defeating Muhammad Inam of Pakistan 3-0.
• Mohit Grewal won the bronze medal in the 125kg category by defeating Jameson Aaron Johnson.
• Sakshi Malik won the gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling by defeating Canadian Godinez Gonzalez in the 62kg category.
• After losing 3-7 to Folasade Adekuoroye of Nigeria, Anshu Malik won the silver medal in the 57 kg category.
• Divya Kakran won the bronze medal in the 68kg category by defeating Tiger Lily Cocker Lemali.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

6. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) signed an MoU with the Indian Navy.

• The MoU has been signed to collaborate on aviation research and development and to accelerate self-reliance efforts for the Navy.
• The MoU will give the Indian Navy a formal platform for communication with the relevant IISc faculty members and will support joint research initiatives in areas of common interest.
• Captain Sridhar Warrier, Registrar of IISc, and Captain P Vinayagam (APP), Indian Navy signed the MoU.
• The areas of cooperation under this MoU will include aerospace/aeronautical engineering including design and education technology.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc):
  • It is a research university for higher education and research in science, engineering, design, and management.
  • It is located in Bangalore. It was established in 1909.

Topic: Banking System

7. Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) will be enabled to accept cross-border inward payments.

• As per RBI proposal, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) will be able to make utility, education and other bill payments for their families in India through BBPS.
• According to RBI’s bi-monthly Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, BBPS is currently accessible only for the residents of India.
• RBI has proposed to enable BBPS to accept cross-border inward payments to facilitate the NRIs in carrying out utility, education and other bill payments on behalf of their families in India.
• RBI has also taken a decision to bring Credit Information Companies under the internal Ombudsman framework.
• Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) is an RBI conceptualized ecosystem driven by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• NPCI functions as the authorised Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit (BBPCU). BBPS Pilot was launched in the year 2016.

Topic: Committees/ Commissions/Taskforces

8. SEBI has formed a 15-member committee to attract foreign investment.

• K V Subramanian has been appointed as chairman of this expert group of Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs).
• The FPI Advisory Committee (FAC) consists of 14 other members representing foreign banks, stock exchanges depositories and RBI.
• The FAC will advise on issues related to investments and operations of FPIs in the financial markets, including measures to facilitate ease of doing business by FPIs in India.
• It will review investment avenues available for FPIs. It will advise on the feasibility of new investment avenues.
• It will suggest measures required to encourage FPI participation in the bond market.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

9. UP government launched the ‘Panchamrut Yojana’ for doubling farmers’ income.

• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ‘Panchamrut Yojana’ for achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income.
• Under this scheme, farmers will grow oilseeds, pulses and vegetables along with sugarcane for additional income.
• The main objective of the scheme is to reduce the production cost of sugarcane and to increase productivity and the fertility of the land.
• The scheme aims to reduce the costs through saving water and maximum use of stubble and leaves of sugarcane.
• It will also help in reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• The Government will also give ‘Uttam Sugarcane Farmer’ awards to farmers who implement the Panchamrut scheme.
• The government will also encourage farmers to adopt new techniques of agriculture for increasing income.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

10. Puneeth Rajkumar to be conferred the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award posthumously.

• On the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava, the Karnataka Ratna award will be given posthumously to Puneeth Rajkumar on 1 November.
• He will be the 10^th recipient of the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award.
• The Karnataka Ratna award was last given to Dr Virendra Heggade for social service in 2009.
• Puneeth Rajkumar was a film actor, who died last year. He acted in more than 29 films.
• Karnataka Ratna Award:
  • It was started in 1992 to recognize outstanding performance in any field.
  • It is the highest civilian honour of the State of Karnataka.

Topic: State News/ Jammu and Kashmir

11. Jammu and Kashmir’s LG Manoj Sinha inaugurated the refurbished Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

• Bakshi Stadium is one of the major Stadiums in J&K with a capacity of 45000 seats.
• The renovation work of Bakshi Stadium started in 2017 under a centrally sponsored scheme by National Projects Construction Corporation.
• It has hosted some of the important football matches and events held in J&K.
• The stadium’s football turf and outfield have been upgraded as per the norms of FIFA. The renovation work cost is Rs 40.85 crore.
• On this occasion, an exhibition football game was played at the stadium.
• Important Sports stadium in Jammu and Kashmir:

Topic: National News

12. ITBP installed a 72-feet-high National flag at ITBP Academy in Mussoorie.

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has installed this 72-feet-high National flag in collaboration with the Flag Foundation of India (FFI).
• The National flag is dedicated to the martyrs of the freedom struggle.
• It has been installed as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• On 2 August, the Indian Army hoisted a 75 feet high National Flag in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
• On 3 August, the Ministry of Culture released a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ anthem to show the spirit, strength and diversity of India. A bike rally of MPs was also organized from Red Fort to parliament.
• Flag Foundation of India is a non-profit body under the societies registration act of 1980.

Topic: Agriculture and allied sectors

13. India's coffee exports hit a new high of US$ 1.04 billion in 2021-22.

• It is the first time that India’s coffee export has crossed the billion dollars mark.
• In 2020-21, India’s coffee export value was US$ 734.98 million. Coffee shipments have increased by 42% during this period.
• India export around two-thirds of the coffee it produced every year.
• India exports coffee to more than 50 countries around the world. Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Russia are the largest importers of coffee from India.
• India also exports coffee to Libya, Poland, Jordan, Malaysia, the US, Slovenia, and Australia.
• Karnataka is the largest coffee producer in India. It produces around 70% of the total coffee produced in India. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are in the second and third positions.
• Arabica and Robusta types of coffee are mainly produced in India. Due to its mild fragrant flavour, Arabica coffee has a higher market value than Robusta coffee.
• Brazil is the highest coffee-exporting country in the world. It is followed by Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia.

Topic: International News

14. India wants to become part of the Minerals Security Partnership.

• Minerals Security Partnership is a US-led partnership initiative of 11 countries announced in June 2022. It has been formed for strengthening critical mineral supply chains.
• Australia, Canada, Finland, United States, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission are members of the MSP.
• At present, India is not a part of this partnership. India is dependent on other countries for rare earth minerals.
• The main aim of this new group is to attract investment from governments and the private sector for developing strategic opportunities.
• The Minerals Security Partnership will focus on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium and 17 ‘rare earth’ minerals.
• This group has been formed to reduce dependency on China for rare earth minerals. China produces around half of the rare earth minerals.
• Cobalt, Nickel, and Lithium are very important because they are used in the batteries of electric vehicles.
• Rare earth elements are used in more than 200 consumer products like mobile phones, computer hard drives, electric and hybrid vehicles, semiconductors, etc.
• Critical minerals are those mineral resources that are very crucial for the economy of a country.