Current Affairs Daily Digest – June 29 2019
1. Rajya Sabha cleared the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019
Rajya Sabha cleared the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Rajya Sabha cleared the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on June 27.that seeks to allow trusts to set up units in special economic zones, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the measure. The Bill will replace the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, promulgated in March.
2. Statistics Day is observed on 29th June
Statistics Day is observed on June 29th. Its main aim is to popularize the use of Statistics in everyday life . They plan to sensitize the public where Statistics subject helps in shaping and framing policies.
The theme of 2019 Statistics Day is Sustainable Development Goals. The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prof. P C Mahalanobis for his invaluable contribution in establishing the National Statistical System.
3. 11th tranche of Electoral Bonds sale to start from July 1
Union Ministry of Finance recently announced the launch of 11th tranche of electoral bonds sale starting from 1-10 July. This is 1st issuance of electoral bonds after conclusion of 17th general elections and formation of new government.
What are Electoral Bonds?
Electoral bonds are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties in a bid to bring transparency in political funding.
4. All panchayats to have Broadband Connectivity by March 2020: Govt
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister Electronics and Information Technology in a written reply in Lok Sabha informed Parliament that all gram panchayats will be provided high speed broadband connections under BharatNet project by March 2020.
5.International Day of the Tropics: June 29
The International Day of Tropics is observed every year on 29 June across the world with an aim to raise awareness to specific challenges faced by tropical areas and t far-reaching implications of issues affecting world’s tropical zone.
6. Working Women’s Forum founder Jaya Arunachalam passes away
Jaya Arunachalam also served as vice president of TNCC and member of All India Congress Committee.
Jaya Arunachalam, founder of Working Women’s Forum (WWF), and a pioneer of the women’s self help group movement in the country, died on Saturday. She was 87.
7. Lok Sabha approves extension of President’s Rule in J&K
The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Jammu & Kashmir (Reservation) Bill and a statutory resolution to extend President’s rule in Jammu & Kashmir by another six months. The debate on both the issues were clubbed in the lower house with Union home Minister Amit Shah initiating the discussion.
The hours-long debate saw Shah making a strong pro-development pitch for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government and cornering the Congress party on its governance record and historical role in the state.
8. Saudi Arabia raises India’s Hajj Quota by 30,000
In a significant step, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia increased India’s Haj quota by 30,000 thus lifting the figure to 200,000 per year (from 170,000). This move will pave the way for more Indians to go for the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi kingdom.
In 2018, Saudi Arabia increased India’s Haj quota by 5,000, while in 2017 it was increased by about 35,000.
9. Indian Railways conducting trials of Tri-Netra technology
Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal during Question Hour informed Rajya Sabha members that Indian Railways is conducting TRI-NETRA (Terrain Imaging for Drivers Infrared, Enhanced, Optical & Radar Assisted) technology for detecting obstructions on tracks.
First in 2002-03 India Railways has developed a modern technology and tried it extensively but it was found to be not successful. So the project was aborted and subsequently another technology of Fog-past devices for seeing in fog was developed. Thus, TRI-NETRA system is another attempt by Indian Railways to develop modern technology.
10. EQUIP: 5-year Vision Plan on Quality Education by HRD Ministry
The Higher Education Department of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has finalized and released a 5-year Vision Plan titled as Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP).
