Daily updates May 29 2020

National News

1. Finance Minister launches facility of Instant Allotment of PAN

The facility for instant allotment of Permanent Account N​umber (PAN) has been formally rolled out by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on near to real time basis. The PAN applicants who has a valid Aadhaar number and have a mobile number registered with Aadhaar will be able to avail the facility. Launching this facility will create further ease of compliance to the taxpayers.

State News

2. R Sreerekha to become Kerala's first woman DGP

R Sreerekha will be the first woman Director General of Police in Kerala as the Kerala government has appointed her as Fire and Rescue Services DGP. She is presently an Additional Director General of Police, heading the Prisons and Correctional Services Department.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan.
• Governor of Kerala: Arif Mohammad Khan.
• Capital of Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram.

Agreements & MoUs

3. India & ADB signs $177 mn loan to improve road in Maharashtra

The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India have signed a $177 million loan to upgrade the 450 km of state highways and major district roads in the state of Maharashtra. The road improvement project consists of improving 2 major district roads and 11 state highways having the combined length of 450 km. The project will also involve the strengthening of road safety measures with the development of a road safety audit framework that will led to the protection of vulnerable groups including the elderly, women, and children. It will also train the Maharashtra Public Works Department project staff to enhance their capacity in climate change adaptation and disaster resilient features in various aspects such as road design, road maintenance planning and road safety.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
• President of Asian Development Bank: Masatsugu Asakawa.

Appointments

4. Leo Puri to become Chairman of JP Morgan South Asia and South East Asia

Leo Puri has been announced to become the new Chairman of JP Morgan South Asia and South East Asia, replacing Kalpana Morparia who will be serving as the chairman until the 1st Quarter of 2021. In another major top-level change, Murali Maiya will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JP Morgan South and South East Asia.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Executive Officer of JP Morgan: Jamie Dimon.

5. Aiman Ezzat becomes new CEO of Capgemini Group

Aiman Ezzat has become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French technology major Capgemini Group and will replace the presently serving Paul Hermelin who will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board. Aiman Ezzat was earlier serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Capgemini Group and has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of the company in the past.

6. Wipro appoints Thierry Delaporte as its new CEO & MD

Thierry Delaporte has been appointed by the IT major Wipro as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD). He will replace Abidali Neemuchwala as the new CEO and MD of Wipro. He has served as the Chief Operating Officer of Capgemini Group and a member of its Group Executive Board.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chairman of Wipro Limited: Rishad Premji.

7. IOC appoints Narinder Batra as member of Olympic Channel Commission

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra has been designated as a member from the Olympic Channel Commission. The Olympic Channel Commission exhorts the IOC (International Olympic Committee) meeting, the IOC Executive Board, the IOC President and provides guidance throughout the launch and operation of the Olympic Channel. The commission advise the growth & development of the Olympic Channel from its initial launch phase through to its mature and established form.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC) President: Thomas Bach.

Awards & Rewards

8. Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins Christophe Merieux Prize

South African HIV researcher, Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been awarded Christophe Merieux Prize for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), which she heads. Christophe Merieux Prize is one of France's top science prizes.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa.
• The rand is the official currency of South Africa.

Summits & Conferences

9. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 22nd Meeting of FSDC

The 22nd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was chaired by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. During the meeting, present global and domestic macro-economic situation was reviewed including the financial stability and vulnerabilities issues. They also reviewed major issues that are likely to be faced by banks as well as other financial institutions.

Sports

10. 36th National Games postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19

The 36th National Games, planned for October-November in Goa, was deferred indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee to convey a social event in September end and decide on fixing dates for National Games. Goa Government to require guidance from Union Sports Ministry, need four months notification ahead of time to compose games. The last edition of the Games was held in 2015 in Kerala.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Indian Olympic Association President: Narinder Dhruv Batra.
• Indian Olympic Association Headquarters: New Delhi.

Important Days

11. International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29 May

International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed globally on 29 May every year to honour all the women and men who have served as military, police or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations. The theme of International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2020 is "Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace". It helps to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

12. World Digestive Health Day: 29th May

World Digestive Health Day is observed globally on 29th May every year and is organised by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) in collaboration with the WGO Foundation (WGOF). The theme for the World Digestive Health Day 2020 campaign is "Gut Microbiome: A Global Perspective." World Digestive Health Day was launched in 2004 to mark the 45th anniversary of the creation of the World Gastroenterology Organisation.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• WGO Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.
• WGO Founded: 1958.

13. World Hunger Day observed on 28 May

World Hunger Day is observed globally on 28 May every year to raise awareness about more than 820 million people living in chronic hunger worldwide. The initiative recognizes the dire need to save nearly a quarter of a billion lives from malnourishment and chronic hunger. The need to provide outreach globally during the pandemic for the distribution of food is seen as paramount to save those who have been vulnerable even in pre-pandemic times.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Global Hunger Index 2019: India at 102 out of 117 countries, falls behind Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan.

14. International Day of Action for Women's Health: May 28

International Day of Action for Women's Health is observed globally on May 28 every year to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all women all over the world. The day is being coordinated by the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR). Every woman has a right to sexual and reproductive health and rights, no matter which part of the world she hails from, what age she is, or what her ethnicity or religion is.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• WGNRR Headquarters location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• WGNRR Founded: 1984.

Miscellaneous News

15. CIPET renamed as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology

The name of Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) has been changed to Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET). It is a premier national institution which comes under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India. The new name of the institute has been registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 1975 ( Tamil Nadu Act 27 of 1975).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers: DV Sadananda Gowda.

Obituaries News

16. First Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi passes away

The first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi has passed away. A bureaucrat-turned politician, Ajit Jogi was a mass leader who dominated the state's politics for long time. He was an MLA from Marwahi seat in the current assembly. He served as the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh from November 2000 to November 2003.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor: Sushri Anusuiya Uikey.

Daily updates May 30 2020

State News

1. U'khand govt starts "Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana" for returnee migrants

Uttarakhand chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat has inaugurated the "Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana" for returnee migrants. The project aims at giving self-employment opportunities to youth and a boost to reverse migration, especially entrepreneurs returning to Uttarakhand and encourage skilled and unskilled artisans, handicrafts and unemployed youths to start their own business. The scheme will offer credit facility through nationalised banks, scheduled commercial banks and cooperative banks.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Uttarakhand state was formed: 9th November 2000
• Capital of Uttarakhand: Dehradun.
• Governor of Uttarakhand: Baby Rani Maurya.

2. MP govt starts ‘Rozgar Setu’ scheme for skilled workers

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the launch of the ‘Rozgar Setu’ scheme. This scheme would help to secure employment for skilled workers who have returned to the state in the COVID-19 situation. The government of Madhya Pradesh launched a portal ‘MP Rojgar Setu Portal’ for the unemployed migrants to register and find jobs in the field related to their skills.

Appointments

3. Venkataramani Sumantran becomes new independent director of Indigo

Venkataramani Sumantran has been appointed the independent director of airline company IndiGo. He presently served as the chairman and managing director of Chennai-based Celeris Technologies. He will hold the post for the next five years.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Indigo Airlines Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.
• Indigo Airlines Established: 2006.

Economy

4. India’s GDP growth slows to 11-year low of 4.2%

National Statistical Office, under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has estimated India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.2 per cent in 2019-20 as compared to 6.1 per cent expansion in 2018-19, the slowest growth in GDP in 11 years. The earlier estimate by various arms of the government was 5 per cent growth in ‘19-20.

Defence News

5. Missile park "Agneeprastha" to be set up at INS Kalinga

The foundation stone for a missile park "Agneeprastha" was laid at INS Kalinga, Naval base in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The park ''Agneeprastha''once completed will be dedicated to all the officers, sailors and support staff of INS Kalinga, who has served in this premier op-support Base of the ENC since its establishment in 1981. A 2-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant was also commissioned at INS Kalinga by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain. It is the largest plant in the Eastern Naval Command and has an estimated life of 25 years.

Summits & Conferences

6. Russia hosts BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities meet

The meeting of the Heads of Tax Authorities of the BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa was held on 29 May. The meeting was hosted by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, which currently holds the BRICS Presidency, to discuss the response of BRICS Tax Authorities to the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore potential areas of cooperation in tax matters.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Members of the BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Sports

7. SAI's extends Sandip Pradhan tenure as DG for 2 year

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has extended the tenure of Sandip Pradhan as Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) by two years. The extended tenure will come into effect from 6 June 2020. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for extension.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Sports Authority of India Headquarters: Delhi.
• Sports Authority of India Founded: 25 January 1984.

8. WADA hands 4 year bans to Kiranjeet Kaur for doping

India's long-distance runner, Kiranjeet Kaur has been handed a four-year ban by World Athletics’ anti-doping body for testing positive for a banned substance (Enobosarm). She will be stripped of the gold medal she won at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K. Her ban period begins from December 15 (2019), the date of in-competition sample collection. She was provisionally suspended by World Athletics on February 26.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• President of WADA: Sir Craig Reedie; Headquarters: Montreal, Canada.
• Founded: 10 November 1999.

Important Days

9. International Everest Day: 29th May

International Everest Day is being observed on 29th May. Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary had climbed the Mt. Everest on this day (29th May) in 1953, as the first humans to achieve the feat. Nepal decided to observe the day as International Everest Day since 2008 when the legendary climber Hillary passed away.

Obituaries

10. Rajya Sabha member M.P. Veerendra Kumar passes away

Rajya Sabha (RS) MP from Kerala and Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) Leader, writer and journalist, M.P. Veerendra Kumar passed away. He was born on July 22, 1936, at Kalpetta, Wayanad district, Kerala. He was a recipient of the Sahitya Academy award.

11. Veteran lyricist Yogesh Gaur passes away

Veteran lyricist Yogesh Gaur passed away. He wrote the lyrics of hit songs “Kahin duur jab din dhal jaye” and “Zindagi kaisi hai paheli” that defined the superhit film Anand (1971). He got his first break as a lyricist with the film Sakhi Robin (1962), in which he wrote six songs. He also wrote songs for films like Chhoti Si Baat (1976), Baton Baton Mein (1979), Manzil (1979), Rajnigandha (1974) and many more.

12. Renowned astrologer Bejan Daruwalla passes away

Renowned astrologer, Bejan Daruwalla passed away. His name figured among the 100 great astrologers of the last 1,000 years in ‘The Millennium Book of Prophecy’, published by Harper Collins. His astrological predictions were keenly followed by millions of people in the country.

Corona lockdown 5 in India

New Delhi:

The centre on Saturday extended the coronavirus lockdown till June 30, but announced several relaxations in non-containment areas, including allowing malls, restaurants and religious places from June 8. Cinema halls, schools and international flights, however, will be reopened only after an assessment, the home ministry said in new guidelines that focussed on spurring economic activities stalled because of the lockdown. It also said there will be no restriction on movement of goods and people. If any state wants to regulate movement, it will have to publicise its decision in advance.

Here are 10 points on coronavirus lockdown5:

1. Face Coverings: Wearing of face cover is compulsory in public places; in workplaces; and during transport.
2. Social distancing: Individuals must maintain a distance of 6 feet in public places. Shops will ensure physical distancing among customers and will not allow more than five persons at one time.
3. Gatherings: Large public gatherings/congregations continue to be prohibited. Marriage related guidelines: Number of guests not to exceed 50. Funeral/last rites related gatherings: Number of persons not to exceed 50.
4. Spitting in public places will be punishable with fine, as may be prescribed by the state/UT local authority in accordance with its laws, rules or regulations.
5. Consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco in public places prohibited.
6. Work from home: As far as possible, the practise of WFH should be followed.
7. Staggering of work/business hours should be followed in offices
8. Screening and hygiene: Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and santitizer will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas
9. Frequent sanitization of entire workplace, common facilities and all points which human contact e.g door handles etc... will be ensured, including between shifts.
10. Social distancing: All persons in charge of work places will ensure adequate distance between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff etc.