Current Affairs Daily Digest – January 10 2020
1. Two Agricultural Scientists were awarded Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Awards
Famous Agricultural Scientist Prof. M S Swaminathan and Dr. Gutta Muniratnam were chosen as the first recipients of Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award for Excellence and Muppavarapu National Award for Social Service respectively. The award carried a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh and citation. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan was awarded for his significant contributions in the field of agriculture.
2. Pulses Conclave 2020 to be held in Maharashtra
The Pulses Conclave 2020 (TPC 2020) has been scheduled to be held from 12-14 February 2020 in Lonavala, Maharashtra. The announcement was made by the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the nodal body for India’s pulses trade and industry on 9 January 2020. Events: ♦ The biennial global pulses conference ‘TPC 2020’ is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision is to double the farmer’s income by the year 2022.
3. Kerala government unveiled a wage subsidy scheme for ventures
Kerala State Government launched a wage subsidy scheme for the first five years for new ventures getting registered from 1 April 2020. The scheme was unveiled by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on 9 January 2020 at the Global Investor Summit ASCEND 2020. Provisions: ♦ The initiative will enhance the ease of doing business in the state ♦ It is expected to subsidize a part of the wage commitment of newly-set up industries for the first five years.
4. AP Government signed MoU with KFW to implement ZBNF
The Andhra Pradesh Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the representatives of a German firm, KFW, in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh to implement Zero Budget Natural Farming in the state. It comes after the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). Provisions of MoU: ♦ The agreement aims to scale up the ongoing project with KFW.
5. World Hindi Day is observed on 10 January
World Hindi Day is observed on 10 January 2020. It is observed every year. The day ensures to promote the Hindi language around the world. World Hindi Day is different from National Hindi Day. The day aims to create a suitable environment to promote Hindi worldwide and to present Hindi as the prevalent language of the world.
6. IEA launches India’s Energy Policy Report
The International Energy Agency (IEA) launched India’s Energy Policy Report. The report insisted that India should adopt its think tank NITI Aayog’s National Energy Policy. IEA released its “India Report 2020”, in collaboration with NITI Aayog.
The oil demand of India will overtake China by mid-2020. It will make India more vulnerable to supply disruption in the middle east. According to the report, oil demand of India will reach 6 million barrels per day by 2024. It was 4.4 million barrels per day in 2017.
7. Amma Vodi scheme launched in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy launched Amma Vodi Scheme in Chittoor. It is one of the nine flagship programmes of the Andhra Government. The programmes are called Navratanalu. The scheme is first of its kind in the country.
The scheme aims at benefitting school students studying in classes I to XII. It includes both public and private schools. Under the scheme, these students belonging to Below Poverty Line will get Rs 15,000 per annum. However, the guardian or mother of the child should ensure 75% attendance of the child.
8. India-Germany sign MoU on Zero Budget Natural Farming
The Andhra Pradesh Government signed Memorandum of Understanding with a German firm to implement Zero Budget Natural Farming in the state.
The state Government will take a loan of Rs 1015 crores to spend towards climate resilient Zero Budget Natural Farming. The project aims to cover 2.39 lakh farmers in 600 villages. The project was included in the Budget presentation of 2019. Along with ZBNF implementation, the Government will also implement Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
9. The Pulses Conclave 2020 to be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra
The fifth Pulses Conclave 2020 is to be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra between February 12, 2020 and February 14, 2020. It is a biennial conference. The India Pulses and Grain Association will host the Conclave. Around 1500 stakeholders from India and other countries are expected to participate in the conference.
It includes Australia, USA, Myanmar, Canada, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, etc. The conference aims at increasing exports, processing efficiencies, protein extraction, value addition and post-harvest management.
10. SBI announces ‘residential builder finance with buyer guarantee’ scheme
Country’s largest public sector bank, State Bank of India has announced a ‘residential builder finance with buyer guarantee’ (RBBG) scheme. It aims at giving a push to residential sales and improve homebuyers’ confidence.
Under this scheme announced yesterday, the SBI will issue a guarantee for completion of select residential projects to customers who have availed home loans from it. The scheme will focus on affordable housing projects priced up to 2.50 crore rupees in 10 cities initially.
11. Census India-2021 to begin on 1st April; To be conducted through mobile app
Census India-2021 will begin on 1st of April this year and will end on 30th of September. Census India-2021 will be conducted through a mobile phone application, moving away from the traditional pen and paper.
Enumerators of the census will seek the information of mobile number of the head of the family, information related to toilets, TV, Internet, vehicles owned, source of drinking water besides asking other questions during the house listing phase of the exercise.
12. Over 30 navies confirm participation in exercise Milan 2020
Of the 41 navies invited for the Milan 2020 multilateral naval exercise being hosted by India, confirmations have been received from over 30 navies, the Navy said.
With about two months to go for the mega event, the preparations were reviewed at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) by Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Chief of Staff ENC, on Thursday along with the civil administration and all stakeholder organisations, it said.
13. South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo 2020 held in New Delhi
The 27th edition of South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) 2020 was held in New Delhi. The SATTE expo was supported by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and sponsored by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department. The objective of the expo was to build new business partnerships and hence was an important place for the promotion of tourism. The SATTE witnessed the participation of over 50 countries and 28 Indian states.
14. India-born author bags UK children’s book award
India-born author Jasbinder Bilan has bagged a coveted UK children’s book award for her debut novel ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’,. The story set in the Himalayan territory of her Indian roots and inspired by the special childhood bond with her grandmother. Bilan will receive 5,000 pounds as the winner of the award.
