Daily Current Affairs and GK | 6 September 2024

Topic: National News

1. Department of Telecommunications notified rules for Digital Bharat Nidhi.

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has notified the ‘Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024’.
• Its main objective is the management and implementation of the ‘Digital Bharat Nidhi’ initiative.
• Digital Bharat Nidhi was established under Section 24(1) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
• The Universal Service Obligation Fund has been renamed as ‘Digital Bharat Nidhi’.
• Key Provisions of the Rules:
  • The rules outline the powers and responsibilities of the administrator to oversee the implementation and management of the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
  • Digital Bharat Nidhi funds will be directed towards projects for enhancing telecommunication services in underserved and remote regions.
  • The rules specify that projects funded under the DBN must meet at least one of several criteria.
  • The criteria comprise promoting innovation, research, and development; and supporting the commercialization of indigenous technologies.
  • The entity receiving funding from the DBN must share and make available networks/services on an open and non-discriminatory basis.

Topic: Important Days

2. August 20 will be observed as Sootea Day by the Assam government from next year.

• Sootea Day to commemorate the region's importance in the freedom movement, will be celebrated on August 20.
• According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, August 20 is recognised as Sootea Day by the people of Sootea.
• The Chief Minister visited the Sootea Police Station in the Biswanath District earlier in the day.
• He paid respects to the courageous people who hoisted the national flag in 1942.
• He said that on August 20, 1942, the people of Sootea, led by the late Biman Chandra Bora, hoisted the national flag at the Sootea police station.
• According to CM, Sootea has made important contribution to the nation's struggle for freedom.
• Chief Minister Sarma paid tributes to the bravehearts of Assam who participated in the Quit India Movement.
• Additionally, CM announced that a history monument will be built by the government at the Sootea police station's historic location.
• He declared plans to invest Rs 5 crore in the project, which will highlight the rich history of Sootea Police Station and its adjoining areas.

Topic: Banking System

3. HDFC Bank has launched GIGA.

• GIGA is a complete financial suite of products and services designed for gig workers/ freelancers.
• GIGA offers a number of customised products and services to address the requirements of freelancers.
• Under GIGA, a flexible GIGA Savings Account is being offered.
• This account gives freelancers the option of keeping a quarterly balance (Rs 10,000 for metro/urban and Rs 5,000 for semi-urban/rural accounts).
• This account gives freelancers the options such as starting their investment journey with a systematic investment plan / fixed deposit / recurring deposit etc. 
• The account also comes with a GIGA Business Debit Card offering complimentary personal accidental death cover of up to Rs 10 lakh.
• Exclusive GIGA Business Credit Card is specifically designed for freelancers and comes with an interest-free credit period of 55 days.
• Gig workers can secure health insurance from HDFC Ergo for themselves and their families with premiums beginning at just Rs 20 per day.
• GIGA includes partnerships with Razorpay and Payoneer, allowing freelancers to take payments from domestic and international clients.

Topic: National Appointments

4. Rama Mohan Rao Amara has been recommended by the FSIB to be the Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI).

• The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) interacted with nine applicants for the MD post at SBI.
• SBI has four managing directors. After Dinesh Khara's term ended last week and C S Setty assumed the role of chairman, one of the MD positions fell vacant.
• Amara is presently employed at SBI as the Deputy Managing Director.
• Before Amara was moved to SBI in July 2023, he was the MD and CEO of SBI Card.
• Government appoints SBI Managing Directors after the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet's approval.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Rankings

5. Kerala topped business, citizen-centric reforms in key categories.

• In the rankings by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Kerala has emerged as the country leader in two categories of business-centric reforms and seven categories of citizen-centric reforms.
• On September 5, the ranking was announced at the State Industry Ministers' conference held in New Delhi.
• At the conference, Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal presented Industries Minister P.Rajeeve with the Business Reforms Action Plan '22 (BRAP 22) award from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• Business-focused reforms where Kerala has emerged as a top performer include facilitating utility permits for businesses and payment of taxes.
• The citizen-centric reforms in which Kerala was declared the top achiever are:
  • Online single window system,
  • The process of issuing various certificates with ease provided by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs),
  • Issuance of certificates by the Department of Revenue,
  • Providing utility permits,
  • Public distribution system (Department of Food and Civil Supplies),
  • Improvements in transport sector
  • Running employment exchanges

Topic: National News

6. The first International Solar Festival organized in Delhi on 5-6 September virtually addressed by PM Narendra Modi.

• PM said that India's solar power capacity has grown 32-fold in the last 10 years, and this speed and scale will help the country achieve 500 gigatons of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
• Addressing the two-day first International Solar Festival, PM Modi said that India has taken several big steps in the field of green energy in the last few years and it is the first G-20 country to achieve Paris commitments in renewable energy.
• The aim of this festival is to highlight and celebrate the transformative power of solar energy and its role in creating new opportunities across the world, paving the way for universal energy access and advancing Sustainable Development Goals.
• Founded in 2015, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) has grown into a giant tree inspiring policy and action, reaching the milestone of 100 member countries in a short time.
• 19 more countries are ratifying the Framework Agreement to attain full membership in the ISA, which highlights that the growth of this organisation is crucial to the vision of One World, One Sun.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an international organization that works with governments to improve energy access and security around the world and promotes solar energy as a sustainable path to transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. PM Modi launched ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative at Surat in Gujarat through video conferencing.

• ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative aligns with the ongoing Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign.
• The initiative aims to mobilise Gujarati residents, local government agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders to put rainwater harvesting structures into place.
• About 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures are being built in Gujarat as part of this program through community collaborations.
• Long-term water sustainability and improved rainwater harvesting will be made possible by these recharge structures.
• The structures constructed as part of this initiative would be essential in promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and highlighting Gujarat's achievements in community-driven water conservation.
• Gujarat's community-based water conservation program has been a pioneering example in India.

Topic: Sports

8. Kapil Parmar won India’s first ever Paralympic Medal in Judo.

• At the Paris Paralympics 2024, he won a bronze in the Para Judo Men’s J1-60 Kilogrammes event by defeating Elielton de Oliveira of Brazil.

• This is India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in Judo.
• Kapil Parmar’s historic bronze has increased India’s medal tally to 25.
• India is presently at 16th spot in the medal tally with a total of 25 medals.
• These medals include 5 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze medals.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

9. India’s average household spending on food has fallen to less than half for the first time since Independence.

• A working paper titled 'Changes in India's Food Consumption and Policy Implications: A Comprehensive Analysis of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 and 2011-12’ has been released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
• The paper is a comprehensive analysis of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022–23 and comparison with 2011–12.
• As per this paper, the share of total household expenditure on food has declined substantially in rural and urban areas across all states and UTs.
• Among the rural areas, West Bengal registered a consumption expenditure growth of 151 per cent. Tamil Nadu registered a growth of around 214%.
• Growth for rural households was higher than for urban households.
• Among food items, the share of expenditure on cereals has declined across rural and urban areas.
• This paper observed a significant increase in households' average monthly per capita expenditure across rural and urban India across all states and UTs.

Topic: Miscellaneous

10. Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation launched the 'Greatness of Spirit' series.

• To commemorate the Ramon Magsaysay Award presented to Dalai Lama, the President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation launched a seven-volume series titled ‘The Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage, and Service’
• This series commemorates the 65th anniversary of the award and features narratives that highlight the extraordinary courage and selfless service of 326 individuals and 22 organisations across Asia who have been honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
• Dalai Lama was one of the earliest recipients when he was granted the award in 1959.
• The Ramon Magsaysay Award celebrates the best of humanity, embodying the true essence of 'Greatness of Spirit'.
• The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, hosted the Delhi edition of “Celebrating Greatness of Spirit”.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

11. An Agreement signed by India and South Africa on submarine rescue operations.

• On September 4, an implementation agreement signed by the Indian and South African navies to enhance Submarine Rescue Support Cooperation, ensuring “safety of South African Navy submarine crew in times of distress or accident”.
• Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will provide assistance by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) whenever required, thereby further strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two navies.
• Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and South African Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese signed this agreement.
• Three members of the South African Navy lost their lives in September 2023 as a result of an incident involving the German submarine SAS Manthatisi, one of the three HDW vessels, off the coast of Cape Town.
• The Indian Navy had acquired two DSRVs from the UK, which were operationalised in Mumbai in 2018 and in Visakhapatnam the following year.
• The system can go up to a maximum depth of 650 metres and can rescue 14 people at a time. It also has a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Topic: National Appointment

12. Aparna Yadav appointed Vice President of Uttar Pradesh Women Commission.

• On September 3, the Uttar Pradesh government announced the appointment of officials of the state women's commission, which also included Aparna Yadav, sister-in-law of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
• According to an official notification issued by Principal Secretary Leena Johri, Governor Anandiben Patel, exercising her powers, has nominated Babita Chauhan as Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission.
• While, Aparna Yadav and Charu Chaudhary nominated as Vice-Chairpersons of the Commission for a period of one year or until the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government.
• Aparna Yadav is the younger daughter-in-law of SP founder and former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
• Aparna Yadav contested the 2017 UP Assembly elections from the Lucknow Cantt seat on a SP ticket but was unsuccessful and later joined the BJP in January 2022.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

13. Hayao Miyazaki won 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award.

• Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has won the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award.
• He is one of the foremost exponents of animated films made expressly for children.
• He began his career as an animator in 1963 after studying economics and political science.
• The 2024 recipients of the award include three individuals and one group.
• It has been also presented to Farwiza Farhan (Indonesia), Karma Phuntsho (Bhutan), Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong (Vietnam) and the Rural Doctors Movement (Thailand).
• Farwiza Farhan is honoured for her deep commitment to environmental conservation and social justice in Indonesia.
• Karma Phuntsho receives the award for his contributions to preserving Bhutan's cultural heritage with modern aspirations.
• Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong has been awarded for her dedication to public health and her courageous efforts to seek justice for the victims of Agent Orange.
• The Rural Doctors Movement from Thailand is honoured for its transformative impact on the nation’s healthcare system.
• Ramon Magsaysay Award:
  • It is the highest honour in Asia and is considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
  • The award is presented to individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted Asia.
  • It was established in 1957 in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, the third President of the Philippines.

Topic: Indian Economy

14. Norms for expenditure of more than Rs 500 crore have been relaxed by the Finance Ministry to boost capital expenditure (capex).

• The Finance Ministry has relaxed the norm to accelerate capex which is kept at Rs 11.11 trillion for the current fiscal.
• In the Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed to increase the capital expenditure target by 11.1% to Rs 11.11 trillion for 2024–25.
• A May 2022 memorandum stated that to facilitate the tracking of expenses and cash flow, the release of amounts between Rs 500 crore and Rs 2,000 crore has to be prepared.
• To capitalise on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) inflows, the dates for these releases may be limited to the 21st and 25th of a given month.
• Similarly, in order to take advantage of the inflow of direct tax receipts, bulk expenditure items valued at more than Rs 2,000 crore were scheduled for the second and final fortnight of the quarter.
• These conditions will no longer be present.
• An office memorandum dated September 2, 2024, stated that it has been agreed to relax criteria for significant releases beyond Rs 500 crore for all categories of expenditure in the current financial year.
• This has been done in order to allow the necessary operational flexibility in the execution of the budget.
• According to the memorandum, financial advisers will examine and set a freeze on the timing of dividend payments and other non-tax receipts from their respective ministries and departments.
• The memorandum further stated that the dividend payments and buyback considerations will be targeted in the first half of the fiscal year.