1 General Secretary of Muslim World League calls on the President
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Isa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, called on the President , Mrs. Draupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan . Addressing the ‘Dialogue for Harmony among Religions ‘ organized in association with the Global Foundation for Civilizational Harmony (India), he said that he is happy to meet President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scholars and religious leaders in India. Advising the religious leaders, he said that there is a need to protect and guide the next generation. Al-Isa said that whenever there is a lack of communication between two people, misunderstandings and problems arise. That’s why dialogue is important.
2 6th India Arab Partnership Summit 2023 held in New Delhi
The 6th India Arab Partnership Summit 2023 was held in New Delhi . Foreign Affairs Secretary Dr. Ausaf Sayeed said that India has strong relations with West Asian countries and this region is India’s largest trading partner. He said that UAE was India’s third largest trading partner and Saudi Arabia was fourth largest trading partner in the last financial year . Regarding the 6th India-Arab Partnership Conference, Dr. Sayeed said that the conference has provided a useful platform for the business community of both the sides to explore new possibilities in the field of trade and investment. They underlined the importance of cooperation in the field of renewable energy, especially green hydrogen.
3 The central government released an amount of more than seven thousand five hundred crore rupees to 22 states for disaster management
The Center has released seven thousand five hundred and thirty two crore rupees to twenty two states to deal with the disaster. The Department of Expenditure , Ministry of Finance has released this amount for the State Disaster Management Fund on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs . In view of the torrential rains across the country, the Center has relaxed the guidelines and released this amount to the states as a quick help without waiting for the utilization certificate of the aid given in the previous financial year. Under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, each State has a Disaster Management Fund (SDRF) . has been made. This is the primary fund available with the states to deal with the disaster. The Central Government contributes 90 percent of the amount to the disaster management fund of the states of the North East and the Himalayan region and 75 percent of the amount to the fund of other states . SDRF Cyclone , Drought, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloud Burst, Insect Attack and Cold Wave As such, it is done to provide immediate relief to the people suffering from such calamities. Based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Center has increased the SDRF for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26. In this, an amount of more than one lakh twenty eight thousand one hundred twenty two crore rupees has been allocated. Out of this, the share of the Central Government is more than Rs 98 thousand 80 crore. The Central Government has already given assistance of Rs 34 thousand 140 crore for this fund. Along with the amount released, the S.D.R.F. The total contribution made by the Central Government has reached Rs.42 thousand 366 crores.
4. Aapka-Mobile-Hamara-Daftar campaign along with historic Dost- App launched in J&K
Aapka-Mobile-Hamara-Daftar campaign along with the historic Dost-App has been launched in Jammu and Kashmir . It is seen as a pioneering measure in mobile based delivery of citizen oriented services in the Union Territory. The Mobile-Dost-App was launched by Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, he said that this is an important step towards digital empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Through this app, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be able to use the citizen services of the government directly on their mobiles.
5 Sita Dahal Prachanda, wife of Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, passed away at the age of 69.
Sita Dahal Prachanda, wife of Nepal ‘s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, passed away at the age of 69. Sita Dahal, who was suffering from Parkinson’s , was ill for a long time. Sita Dahal was an advisor to the Maoist Centre . Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of Sita Dahal.
6 Government issues draft notification making cabin air conditioning system mandatory for trucks to be manufactured from January 01, 2025
The government has issued a draft notification making it mandatory to have air conditioning system in the cabin of trucks to be manufactured from January 01, 2025 . In a tweet, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said truck drivers play an important role in ensuring road safety. He said that the decision to make air conditioning system mandatory would prove to be a landmark in improving the working conditions of truck drivers. The minister said that it will be mandatory to install air conditioning system in the cabin of motor vehicles belonging to N-2 and N-3 categories . Motor vehicles of N-2 category are considered better for carrying 3.5 tonnes and N-3 vehicles for carrying 12 tonnes of goods.
7 Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana: Empowering the elderly for a dignified life
Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) is a comprehensive initiative launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with an aim to empower senior citizens in the country . The scheme recognizes the valuable contributions of the elderly to the society and ensures their welfare and social inclusion. The Government aims to empower and uplift the elderly by recognizing their valuable contribution to the society and ensuring their active participation and inclusion in all walks of life. Being the nodal department for the welfare of senior citizens, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing various programs and schemes. National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSRC) It has been revamped and renamed as Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) and incorporated in April 2021 .
8 Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated ‘Sagar Sampark’ Differential Global Navigation Satellite System to strengthen the maritime sector
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is committed to innovation, building best-in-class infrastructure and strengthening the Indian maritime sector. To take digital initiatives forward in the maritime sector, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched the indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) ‘ Sagar Sampark ‘ in the presence of Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shripad Y. Naik. ‘ inaugurated. DGNSS is a ground-based augmentation system that corrects errors in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide more accurate position information.
9 Shri Manoj Ahuja launches new campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund titled Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural and Agriculture Transformation Campaign
Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary , Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched a new campaign called Bharat ( Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural and Agricultural Transformation ) for Banks under Agri Infra Fund . Rs 7200 crore The month-long campaign (from July 15, 2023 to August 15, 2023) was launched through video conference in which more than 100 bank officials participated. This included MDs/Chairmen, EDs of Public and Private Sector Commercial Banks, Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, NBFCs and select Cooperative Banks. Addressing the gathering of Regional Officers of Banks and officials of the Ministry, Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, AIF highlighted the progress made since the launch of this ambitious flagship scheme.
10. Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar attended the 11th meeting of the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB)
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajeev Kumar led a three-member delegation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to Cartagena , Colombia , to participate in the 11th meeting of the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). The Association of World Election Bodies is the largest association of election management bodies (EMBs) worldwide , with 119 EMB members and 20 regional federations/organization associate members. An International Conference is also being organized by the National Civil Registry, Colombia on July 13, 2023 on the theme ” A Global Perspective on the Challenges of the Regional Elections 2023 “.
11. Samarth: Empowering the Textile Sector through Skill Development
In a meeting held recently, the Empowered Committee on Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH) announced a significant development to enhance skill development in the textile industry . Samarth aims to train 43 new implementation partners and 75,000 beneficiaries as well as imparting necessary skills to the workforce. The funding pattern has also been revised with an increase in the cost norms by 5% which will give the required additional financial support to the skill imparting industries under the scheme. Samarth covers 28 states and 6 union territories, benefitting various sections of the society including SC, ST and marginalized categories with a focus on women. Samarth Yojana is a demand driven and employment generation flagship skilling program of the Ministry of Textiles, which has been formulated under the overarching skill policy framework adopted by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
12 Navantia and L&T collaborate for Indian Navy’s P75 (I) submarine program
Spain ‘s Navantia and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have entered into a teaming agreement for the prestigious P75 (I) submarine program of the Indian Navy . The agreement was signed by L&T CEO and MD S.N. Subramanian and Augustin Alvarez Blanco of Navantia . This cooperation is an important milestone in India’s defense acquisition. The P75 (I) submarine program is very important, with a value of more than 4.8 billion euros. Under this programme, 6 conventional submarines equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) with emphasis on achievement of targeted indigenous content has to be delivered. The project is the largest defense acquisition initiative undertaken by India and will strengthen the country’s naval capabilities. The P75(I) program falls under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model, which is the Defense Ministry’s preferred method for defense acquisitions. This model ensures a structured and streamlined approach to procurement and promotes collaboration between Indian companies and foreign partners.
13 ‘Ama Odisha, New Odisha’ scheme
The Odisha cabinet recently approved the ‘ Ama Odisha, Naveen Odisha ‘ scheme , allocating a budget of Rs 4,000 crore . The scheme aims to enhance rural infrastructure and preserve the state’s rich cultural heritage, especially the Jagannath culture . Rs 10 lakh to gram panchayats under ‘Ama Odisha, Naveen Odisha’ scheme has been empowered to perform various functions up to This includes the protection of local places of worship, historical sites and other essential infrastructure. It aims to bridge the gap in education infrastructure, provide internet connectivity, set up playgrounds, science parks and training facilities. The scheme also aims to develop work centres, skill centers and banking facilities to support rural entrepreneurs with a special focus on women.
14 Candida auris: study
A new study has shed light on the presence of Candida auris , an emerging fungus that poses a significant global health threat . Candida auris in the ears of stray dogs hospitalized in the capital, in a study by scientists from Delhi University and McMaster University has been identified. The discovery raises concerns about the potential transmission and role of animals in the spread of this multidrug-resistant fungus. Candida auris is a species of fungus that grows as a yeast and causes candidiasis, a serious infection in humans. It is often acquired in hospitals, mainly by patients with weakened immune systems. Since its first report in 2009, Candida auris has become a global concern due to its multidrug resistance, making treatment challenging. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as an important priority group.
15 IIT Guwahati researchers develop AI-based model to predict knee osteoarthritis from X-ray images
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed an AI-based framework called Osteo HRNet . The objective of this framework is to diagnose osteoarthritis of the knee through automated analysis of X-ray images. To bring about a revolutionary change in the assessment of the severity of Osteoarthritis of the knee affects a significant portion of the population in India, with a prevalence rate of 28 percent. This condition poses challenges as there is no known cure except total joint replacement in advanced stages. Early diagnosis becomes important for effective pain management and corrective measures. While MRI and CT scans provide 3D visualization of the knee joint for accurate diagnosis, their limited availability and high cost hinder their widespread use. X-ray imaging, on the other hand, emerges as a more economically viable option for routine diagnosis.
16 Reserve Bank organizes 33rd Conference of State Finance Secretaries
The 33rd Conference of State Finance Secretaries was held on 6 July 2023 in Mumbai . The theme of the conference was ‘ Debt Sustainability: States’ Perspective ‘ and it was attended by Finance Secretaries of 23 States and one Union Territory and officials from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Comptroller General of Accounts and Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Governor, Reserve Bank of India inaugurated the conference. Addressing the conference, the Governor highlighted the importance of debt sustainability in ensuring the long-term financial health of the states. He stressed on the need for the States to focus on fiscal consolidation, improvement in the quality of expenditure and other issues related to the fiscal health of the States such as Contingent Liabilities/Guarantees etc.
17 WMO revives ozone-UV bulletin after 7 years, shows steady recovery of ozone layer
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published an updated bulletin on the ozone layer , indicating promising signs of improvement. After a seven-year hiatus, the WMO-Global Atmosphere Watch Bulletin is back to provide the latest information on stratospheric ozone and ultraviolet radiation around the world. Ozone layer recovery is critical to protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation and ensuring the health of ecosystems. The bulletin highlights the importance of monitoring and protecting the ozone layer and provides insight on its recovery progress.
18 NHB operationalises ₹10,000 crore Urban Infrastructure Development Fund
The National Housing Bank (NHB) said it has contributed to the ₹10,000 crore Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) announced in this year’s budget for building urban infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. has been implemented. The initial corpus of this fund managed by NHB is ₹10,000 crore. The UIDF has been launched to supplement the efforts of the State Governments by providing a stable and predictable source of finance for building urban infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. As of 2011 Census, 459 Tier-2 cities with a population of 50,000 to less than one lakh and 580 Tier-3 cities with a population of less than one lakh to one million are being covered under UDIF so far. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech this year had announced the setting up of UIDF through utilization of priority sector lending shortfall for building urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
19 Telecom Secretary K.K. Rajaraman appointed new chairman of IFSCA
Telecom Secretary K. Rajaraman has been selected by the government as the new chairman of the International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) . Rajaraman will replace Injeti Srinivas , who served as the inaugural president from 2020. According to the gazette notification, Rajaraman’s appointment is valid for three years starting from the date he assumes charge, or till he attains the age of 65 years, or until further orders are issued, whichever is earlier.
20 India allows import of potatoes from Bhutan till June 2024
The Central Government has allowed import of potatoes from Bhutan without license for one more year till June, 2024 . Earlier this year it was allowed only till June 30. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification that import of potatoes from Bhutan is permitted without any import license till June 30, 2024.
