Daily Current Affairs – August 16, 2023
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Daily Current Affairs - Banking - August 16, 2023
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National News
Cabinet Committee
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved seven projects of the Ministry of Railways with an estimated cost of around 32 thousand 500 crore rupees, with 100% funding from Central Government.
- The proposals of Multi-tracking will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.
- The projects will cover 35 Districts in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- These will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 kilometers and provide employment of 7.06 crore man-days to the people of the States.
- These are essential routes for the transportation of varied baskets of commodities such as food grains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly ash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, limestone, and edible oil.
- The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
- Cabinet also approved extension of Digital India project with an outlay of Rs 14,903 crores.
- The extended Digital India project will add on to the work done under the previous version of the scheme.
- Under the project 5.25 lakh IT professionals will be reskilled and upskilled and 2.65 lakh persons will be trained in IT.
NHAI sets up Design Division to review construction of new bridges and other structures
- NHAI had set up a Design Division that will formulate policy and guidelines for planning, designing, construction and maintenance of bridges, structures, tunnels and RE walls on National Highways across the country for effective review of design and construction of bridges, specialized structures and tunnels.
- The division will review the project preparation, construction of new bridges, condition surveys & rehabilitation of existing old / distressed bridges, instrumentation to check the health of critical bridges, structures, tunnels and RE walls.
- It will also review standalone bridges and specialized structures, which are at a DPR stage where DPRs started post June 2023.
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) – 1995 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) -Santosh Kumar Yadav (Chairman)
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri launched Inspiring National Anthem Rendition
- Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri released a rendition of India’s National Anthem featuring sportspeople who have brought glory to India across various sporting disciplines and have been supported by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd on the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day.
- He also unveiled an inspirational music video titled ‘Jaya Hey’, a creative expression that signifies ‘Nation First and First Always’, a principle that permeates every facet of life, propelling comprehensive progress.
- The video features Chess Grand Master R Praggnanandhaa and former Olympian Pullela Gopichand, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, Indian Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara and others.
- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas – Hardeep Singh Puri,Cabinet Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,UP) – Rameshwar Teli, Minister of State (Dibrugarh,Assam)
State News
‘One Pune Card’ launched for Pune Metro users
- Union Road transport and Highway minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the multi-purpose “One Pune Card” for metro travel.
- The card was launched by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro).
- The card can also be used for retail payments across India.
- The first 5,000 passengers will get the card free of cost and others will have to pay ₹150 + 18% tax.
- The card, available at metro stations, is on the Indian Payments (RuPay) framework and adheres to the guidelines set by the Government of India for NCMC.
- For transactions up to ₹5,000, no PIN is required.
- Maharashtra – Mumbai (Capital) – Eknath Shinde (CM) – Ramesh Bais (Governor) – Marathi (Language)
Schemes
‘Gramin Mitra’ scheme
- “Gramin Mitra” was launched by Goa government to provide doorstep delivery of government services across the state and promote digital empowerment in rural areas.
- The scheme will bridge the digital divide and promote digital empowerment in the rural parts of the state.
- Goa – Panaji (Capital)– Pramod Sawant (CM) – PS Sreedharan Pillai (Governor) – Konkani (Language)
PM-eBus Sewa Scheme
- The union cabinet approved ‘PM-eBus Sewa’ for augmenting city bus operation under which will spent ₹57,613 crores on 10,000 e-buses will be deployed across cities in the country and will support bus operations for 10 years.
- The scheme will cover cities with 3 lakhs and above population.
- Out of ₹57,613 crores, ₹20,000 crores will be provided by the Central government.
- Ten thousand e-buses will be deployed on public-private partnership (PPP) model in 169 cities.
- Infrastructure will be upgraded in 181 cities under the Green Urban Mobility Initiatives.
Banking and Finance
Asian Development Bank approved $40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development programme in Meghalaya
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) had approved a $40.5-million loan for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health programme in Meghalaya.
- The state government is contributing $15.27 million to the project.
- The project will strengthen home-based childcare (children 0–1.5 years) and centre-based childcare (1.5–6 years) through daycare (Anganwadi) centres in Meghalaya.
- The project aims to improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental healthcare and group-based parenting programmes to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving.
- ADB’s assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children aged 0.5–6 years.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) – 19/12/1966 (Founded) – Mandaluyong, Philippines (HQ) – Masatsugu Asakawa (President) – 68 countries
RBI imposed monetary penalty on four co-operative banks
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had imposed monetary penalties on four cooperative banks for violating rules.
- The central imposed a penalty of Rs 2.50 lakh on Nabapalli Co-operative Bank and Rs 1 lakh on Bally Co-operative Bank.
- The penalty on Aska Cooperative Bank was Rs 50,000 and on Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank was Rs 5 lakh.
- The penalties were due to deficiencies in regulatory compliance by the banks.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – 01/04/1935 (Founded) – Mumbai (HQ) – Shaktikanta Das (Governor)
In 10 Cities Indian Bank had opened specialised startup cells
- Indian Bank had set up 10 startup cells across different centres in the country commemorating the bank’s 117th Foundation Day to serve its specialised banking requirements.
- The startup cells have been set up in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Mumbai.
- Under the initiative, a bouquet of tailor-made banking products and services were designed for the startups keeping in mind their unique and specialised banking requirements.
- It includes offering payment gateways, corporate credit cards and credit facilities apart from the existing products of the bank.
- Indian Bank – 15/08/1907 (Founded) – Chennai (HQ) – Shanti Lal Jain (MD & CEO) – “Your Own Bank”
Agreements and MoUs signed
Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and Suriname in the field of Medical Products Regulation
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname on cooperation in the field of Medical Product Regulation.
- The purpose is to facilitate a constructive dialogue on the laws and regulations pertinent to medical products as well as other relevant matters.
- The MoU seeks to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation and exchange of information between the CDSCO and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname in matters relating to Medical products regulation in line with their international responsibilities.
- The MoU will facilitate export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings.
- The MoU will facilitate better understanding of medical products regulation with regard to pharmaceuticals including raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products, medical devices and cosmetic products.
- The MoU will promote exchange of information and cooperation in areas pertinent to medical products and relevant administrative and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of the parties.
- Suriname – Paramaribo (Capital) – Surinamese dollar (Capital) – Chan Santokhi (President) – Dutch (Language)
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Sports between India and Australia
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Sports was signed between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Health and Aged Care of the Government of Australia.
- The bilateral exchange programmes in the field of sports between the two countries will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the area of sports sciences, athlete and coach training and development, sports governance and integrity, and grassroots participation in sports.
- The benefits arising from bilateral cooperation in the field of sports with Australia will be equally applicable to all sportspersons irrespective of their caste, creed, region, religion, and gender.
- Australia – Canberra (Capital) – Australian dollar (Currency) – Charles III (Monarch) – Anthony Albanese (Prime Minister) – English (Language)
Goa Government signed Memorandum of Understanding with CSC eGovernance to facilitate delivery of services in rural areas
- The Goa government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CSC eGovernance Services India Limited to facilitate the implementation of various e-governance initiatives and services across rural areas of the coastal state.
- CSC e-Governance Services India Limited has been set up by the Ministry of Electronics and IT to oversee the implementation of the government’s Common Service Centres (CSC) scheme.
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology – Ashwini Vaishnaw, Cabinet Minister (Rajya Sabha MP, Odisha) – Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State (Rajya Sabha MP, Karnataka)
Ranks and Indices
Affordability Index by Knight Frank
- According to the Affordability Index released by real estate consultancy Knight Frank, In first six months of 2023 Ahmedabad (EMI to Income ratio 23%) is the most affordable city in India was followed by Pune and Kolkata (26%).
- Notably, Mumbai is the least affordable city, with a ratio of 55 per cent.
- It is followed by Hyderabad (31 per cent) and New Delhi (30 per cent).
Obituary
Mohammed Habib passed away
- Former Indian football team captain Mohammed Habib, who played a crucial role in India’s bronze medal-winning campaign at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok passed away at 74.
- He made his debut for India against Thailand in the Merdeka Cup at Kuala Lumpur in 1967.
- He went on to lead India and featured in 35 international matches, scoring 11 goals.
- He won Arjuna Award in 1980.
Sports News
ICC Player of the Month for July 2023
- Women – Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) 2nd time in a row & 4th time
- Men – Chris Woakes (England)
Important Days
Parsi New Year 2023
- Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz or Nowruz, is a joyous occasion celebrated by the community in India and all over the world.
- This day marks the beginning of the Zoroastrian calendar.
- This year, the Parsi New Year falls on Wednesday, August 16.
Defence
INS Visakhapatnam and INS Deepak visited Bahrain
- Indian naval ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Deepak port call in Bahrain, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
- Rear Admiral Vineet S McCarty, the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, led the delegation to Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the capital city of Manama.
- Bahrain – Manama (Capital) – Bahraini dinar (Currency) – Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (King) – Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Crown Prince and Prime Minister) – Arabic (Language)
Daily Current Affairs - August 16, 2023 - Consolidated
- Cabinet Committee
- NHAI sets up Design Division to review construction of new bridges and other structures
- Shri Hardeep Singh Puri launched Inspiring National Anthem Rendition
- ‘One Pune Card’ launched for Pune Metro users
- ‘Gramin Mitra’ scheme
- PM-eBus Sewa Scheme
- Asian Development Bank approved $40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development programme in Meghalaya
- RBI imposed monetary penalty on four co-operative banks
- In 10 Cities Indian Bank had opened specialised startup cells
- Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and Suriname in the field of Medical Products Regulation
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Sports between India and Australia
- Goa Government signed Memorandum of Understanding with CSC eGovernance to facilitate delivery of services in rural areas
- Affordability Index by Knight Frank
- Mohammed Habib passed away
- ICC Player of the Month for July 2023
- Parsi New Year 2023
- INS Visakhapatnam and INS Deepak visited Bahrain