Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 July 2020

1. Talks between India and China to remove deadlock on the Line of Actual Control.

• Recently, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone talks to resolve the deadlock on the Line of Actual Control.
• This time both have agreed to maintain peace and harmony in the India-China border areas for the development of mutual relations.
• In this regard, the two representatives agreed that India and China should complete the process of withdrawing from the LAC at the earliest.
• At the same time, they committed that both countries should strictly follow and respect the Line of Actual Control.
• As agreed by China and India on this issue, the Chinese army is retreating in the Galwan Valley.
• Meanwhile, Chinese forces have been seen removing tents and other structures from patrolling point 14.

(Source: News on AIR)

2. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton expressed concern over China’s behavior on LAC.

• Recently former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has expressed concern over China’s behavior on the LAC and said that China’s dealings with the LAC in East Ladakh are of concern to every citizen of the United States and China.
• Also, this behavior of China is unacceptable.
• Apart from this, he said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very popular among Indian Americans and India-US relations will be strengthened in the 21^st century.

(Source: News on AIR)

3. National Disaster Management Authority emphasized to create awareness among the people about lightning in the country.

• NDMA has taken this decision, keeping in mind the deaths in many parts of the country due to lightning in the past.
• Along with this, emphasis has been laid on precautions to be taken to avoid any untoward incident.
• NDMA member Krishna Vats said that when lightning falls or there is a possibility of such an incident, one should avoid going into the ground and take shelter inside a large building.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
  • It has been established by the Government of India under the Disaster Management Act 2005.
  • It is headed by the Prime Minister.
  • The NDMA is mandated to formulate policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management to ensure a more effective response to disasters in a timely manner.

(Source: News on AIR)

4. Agreement between Coast Guard forces of India and Indonesia.

• Recently the agreement has been signed by the Coast Guard forces of the two countries to promote a comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Indonesia.
• The agreement will enhance cooperation and coordination in the fields of maritime law enforcement, maritime search, rescue operations and marine pollution.
• At the same time, this agreement will also open up the possibilities of sharing information to deal with international maritime crimes, facilitate search and rescue operations at sea.
• Indian Coast Guard:
  • It is an armed force, a maritime, search and rescue and law enforcement agency.
  • It also protects India’s maritime interests.
  • It works under the Ministry of Defense.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
  • It was established on 18 August 1978.

(Source: News on AIR)

5. Indian Railways will convert into a net zero carbon emission mass transport network by 2030.

• Recently Indian Railways has decided to transform itself into a net zero carbon emission mass transport network by 2030.
• The Railway Ministry has decided to set up solar power plants on its vacant, unused land on a mega scale.
• The use of solar energy will accelerate this mission so that Indian Railways can be converted into Net Zero Carbon Emissions Railways.
• It will also become the first transport organization to be self-sufficient in the form of energy. This will help the railways to become green energy holders as well as self-reliant.
• Railways have started purchasing energy from various solar projects, including 3 MW from solar plant installed at Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and 1.7 MW from solar plant installed at Bina, Madhya Pradesh, etc.
• In addition, tenders have already been floated for Indian Railways to set up 2 GW of solar projects on unused railway land.

(Source: News on AIR)

6. NHAI will assess and rank the status of highways in the country.

• Recently the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to assess the status of highways in the country and provide ranking.
• This NHAI initiative aims to provide a high level of service to the passengers and, at the same time, take the right steps to improve the quality of highways when needed.
• The criterion for measuring the performance of highways is based on three main categories -
  • Highway efficiency
  • Security
  • Services available to highways users.
• Based on the outcome of the assessment, the authority will make a comprehensive analysis and will also decide on necessary interventions to enhance the overall quality of service.
• National Highway Authority of India (NHAI):
  • It is an autonomous agency of the Government of India.
  • It works under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • Its objective is the development and maintenance of national highways.
  • It was founded in 1988.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

(Source: News on AIR)

7. Dr. Bishnu Prasad Nanda took over as the new Director General of the Railway Board.

• Recently, Dr. Bishnu Prasad Nanda has taken over as the new Director General of the Railway Board.
• He joined the Railway Board at the top post of Health Department.
• Prior to this, Dr. Nanda was serving as the Chief Medical Director of Southern Railway, where Dr. Nanda was instrumental in implementing medicines and surgical e-procurement for the zone.
• Under his able leadership, e-procurement work of the Medical Department was completed and equal distribution was ensured to all divisions.

8. Content, advertising and revenue related to foreign social media platforms in Bangladesh will be brought under government regulation.

• Recently the Government of Bangladesh has decided to bring content, advertising and revenue related to foreign social media platforms under government regulation.
• For this, the Bangladesh government had constituted a 5-member committee headed by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information, which has decided to bring social media content and revenue and OTT platforms under its rules.
• Bangladesh’s Information Minister, Dr. Hassan Mahmood, said that the OTT platform is a rapidly growing sector in which their business is running into thousands of crores, and which is taxable.
• But the government is not getting tax revenue from the trade done by platforms like Netflix, YouTube, etc. in the country.
• He also said that social media and OTT platform operators should have a sense of responsibility in all areas including social and cultural values, state security and law and order in the country.
• Bangladesh:
  • It is a South Asian country in the East of India.
  • Capital: Dhaka
  • Currency: Bangladeshi Taka

9. Sustainable Development Report 2020, including SDG index and dashboard launched.

• Recently the Sustainable Development Report 2020, including the SDG Index and Dashboard, has been launched.
• This report is an annual review of the performance of 193 countries on 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN in 2015.
• The SDG index is based on six broad changes -
  • Education and skills
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Clean Energy and Industry
  • Sustainable land use
  • Sustainable city
  • Digital technologies
• SDG Index 2020 Rankings:
  • Sweden has topped with 84.7 overall score.
  • Denmark got second place. At the same time, the US is in 31^st position with a score of 76.43.
  • India is at 117^th position, with a total score of 61.92. Among BRICS countries - China is at 48^th position, Brazil at 53^rd, South Africa is ranked 110^th and Russia is at 57^th position.
  • In South Asia, Maldives is ranked 91^st, Sri Lanka-94^th, Nepal- 96^th, Bangladesh -109^th and Pakistan- 134^th.
  • Bangladesh is ranked 109^th compared to its 116^th position in 2019.

10. In Mizoram, distribution of free textbooks started under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

• Recently in the northeastern state of Mizoram, the distribution of free textbooks has been started under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
• In Mizoram, despite the school being closed for prevention of COVID-19, the state education department has started this distribution with an aim to benefit the students of primary and middle school level.
• These textbooks are for students from classes 1 to 8 for the current academic session.
• Under this program, books of Rs 250 will be given to primary level students and Rs 400 books for middle school level.
• Necessary initiatives have been taken in Siaha, Champai, Serchhip and Kolasib districts to distribute free textbooks to students.
• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan:
  • It is a part of the SAMAGRA SHIKSHA policy announced by the central government during the 2018-19 budget.
  • Its goal is to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Number 4- Quality Education by 2030.
• Mizoram:
  • It is a state in Northeast India.
  • Its capital is Aizawl.
  • State Governor is P.S. Sreedharan Pillai and Chief Minister is Zoramthanga.
  • The state tree is iron wood.

11. Educated unemployed youth benefitted from Chief Minister Swavalamban Yojana in Himachal Pradesh.

• Educated unemployed youth are benefiting from the Chief Minister Swavalamban Yojana in Himachal Pradesh.
• Instead of opting for government and private sector jobs, the state’s educated unemployed youth are adopting the Swavalamban Scheme and giving priority to setting up industries near their homes.
• Under this scheme, youth are moving towards self-employment.
• Therefore, the number of youth going out of the state in search of jobs has reduced.
• Especially in Hamirpur district, this scheme has become the main source of livelihood of youth near their homes.
• Chief Minister Swavalamban Yojana:
  • Chief Minister Jairam Thakur announced the scheme on 25 May 2018.
  • The scheme aims to help the educated youth of the state to set up their business.

(Source: News on AIR)

12. Annual Amarnath Yatra to be held in restricted manner due to COVID-19.

• The Annual Amarnath Yatra will be held in restricted manner this year due to global pandemic.
• Dedicated terminals and counters will be established in Lakhanpur to ensure registration and medical sampling of all the pilgrims.
• The yatra initially to be held on 23 June, will now begin on 23 July.
• Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism.
• Every year thousands of pilgrims from India as well as across the world either trek traditional 45-km-long Pahalgam route or the shorter 16-km Baltal route to reach the holy cave shrine of Amarnath.
• The Amarnath Cave is located in Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas

(Source: News on AIR)

13. Agreement signed between India and World Bank for MSME Emergency Response Programme.

• Recently, a 750 million US dollar agreement has been signed between Government of India and the World Bank.
• The agreement is for MSME Emergency Response Programme.
• Since MSMEs are severely impacted due to coronavirus pandemic, the programme will ensure liquidity and fulfilling of credit needs of MSMEs thereby protecting the jobs of millions employed in this sector.
• The International Finance Corporation (IFC), private sector arm of World Bank Group, will support government initiatives aimed at protecting MSME sector.
• World Bank:
  • It is one of the world’s largest finance provider that aims to end extreme poverty and promote shared growth.
  • It was established in 1944 and is headquartered in Washington, DC, USA.
  • Currently, it has 189 members.
  • Current President of World Bank: David Malpass

14. Government rejected the media report over proposal to merge CBDT and CBIC.

• The government has recently rejected the media reports over proposal to merge Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
• The merger of CBDT and CBIC was one of the recommendations of the Tax Administrative Reforms Commission (TARC) and the Finance Ministry has not accepted this recommendation.
• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT):
  • It is a statutory body functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
  • It deals with the matters related to levy and collection of direct taxes like personal income tax, corporate tax, etc.
  • Current Chairperson: Shri Pramod Chandra Mody
• Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC):
  • It was earlier known as Central Boars of Excise and Customs. It is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.
  • It deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods & Services Tax and IGST.
  • Current Chairman: M. Ajit Kumar