Current Affairs Daily Digest – February 02 2020
1. India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave at DefExpo for first time
For the first time, in the history of DefExpo, India and Africa are to discuss their defence relations. The India-Africa Defence Conclave is to be held on February 6, 2020. Around 24 Defence Ministers are to participate in the conclave.
India’s largest Defence Exhibition is to be held in Lucknow between February 5, 2020 and February 8, 2020. During the exhibition, India showcases its existing and new defence technologies to the world. As a part of the event, the India-Africa Defence Conclave is to be held.
2. Central Government Proposes Single Exam For All Government Jobs
The union government proposes a single exam for all government jobs. In the budget 2020, presented by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the union government intends to introduce major reforms in recruitment to non-gazetted posts in governments and public sector banks.
At present, candidates appear for various exams held under the discretion of the recruiting organization or exam agencies like UPSC and SSC.the government proposes to form a National Recruitment Agency which would also be referred to as NRA.
3. Ayonika Paul won the women’s 10m Air Rifle T1 event
Olympian Ayonika Paul won the women’s 10m Air Rifle T1 event Vijayveer Sidhu won the men’s 25m Pistol T2 event in the National Shooting trials at Thiruvananthapuram. She came to a quality eight-woman field, which had the likes of Tokyo 2020 quota holders Apurvi Chandela and Anjum Moudgil among competitors. Registered a score of 252.0.
4. Lt Gen YK Joshi to assume charge as new Northern Command chief
Lieutenant General Yogesh Kumar Joshi assumes charge of GOC-in-C, Northern Command in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.K Joshi was commissioned into 13 JAK RIF on 12 June 1982 and later commanded the same unit. The general officer is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and a postgraduate from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He commanded 13 JAK RIF in Operation Vijay and Parakram.
5. World Wetlands Day is observed on February 02 2020
World Wetlands Day occurs annually on February 2, marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971 when a small group of environmentalists signed an international agreement at the Ramsar Convention in Iran.
6. FM emphasises on building ”caring society” in budget
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the 2020-21 budget in the Lok Sabha emphasised on building a caring society by including a slew of measures for social welfare, climate change and improvement of culture and tourism.
Putting forth her government”s stand against manual scavenging, the Minister announced “suitable technologies” for automatic cleaning of sewer systems and septic tanks had been identified by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
7. Budget 2020 | NIRVIK scheme to provide high insurance cover for exporters
The government’s proposed scheme to provide enhanced insurance cover and reduce premium for small exporters is timely amid India’s slowing exports, industry said.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced NIRVIK (Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana) scheme to provide enhanced insurance cover and reduce premium for small exporters.
8. Fiscal deficit hits 132% of Budget estimate till December
The government’s fiscal deficit touched 132.4% of the full-year target at December-end mainly due to slower pace of revenue collections, official data showed.
In actual terms, the fiscal deficit or gap between expenditure and revenue was ₹9,31,725 crore, the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) showed. The government aims to restrict the gap at 3.3% of the GDP or ₹7,03,760 crore in the year ending March 2020.
9. M Ajith Kumar IRS appointed as new CBIC Chairman
The Government of India on Thursday appointed M Ajit Kumar IRS (C&CE 84) as chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The appointment came just two days before the Union Budget 2020 presentation. “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment,” said an official release.
The order was issued by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and it said, “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of M. Ajit Kumar, IRS (C&CE 84), as Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).”
10. World’s First Transcatheter Mitral Valve Approved in Europe
The Abbott Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation (TMVI) system received European CE mark this week. It is the first transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) technology to gain commercial clearance in the world. It addresses a critical need to eliminate mitral regurgitation when surgery or mitral repair is not an option in high-risk surgical patients.
11. Flame-Throated Bulbul ‘Rubigula’ official mascot for Goa 2020 National Games
‘Rubigula’, Flame-Throated Bulbul, has been unveiled as the official mascot for the Goa 2020 National Games in Panaji, Goa.
Goa will be hosting the 36th edition of the National Games from 20th October to 4th November 2020.The event will see participation by 36 states and union territories, 12,000 athletes, officials and will host 37 sports disciplines across 24 venues in Goa.
