Today's Current Affairs 30th June 2023

NATIONAL

AP CM Launches Jagananna Amma Vodi Scheme

• Chief Miniser Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will release financial assistance of ₹6,392.94 crore under Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme. He will formally launch the programme at Kurupam of Parvathipuram Manyam district on Wednesday with the click of a button. The amount will be deposited into the bank accounts of 42,61,965 mothers. The process of depositing the financial assistance will be completed in 10 days. As many as 83,15,341 students of classes 1 to Intermediate will be benefited from the programme.
• This fourth year in a row the State government is providing financial assistance under the programme. The total financial assistance provided so far under the Jagananna Amma Vodi is ₹26,067.28 crore. This includes ₹6,392 crore of financial assistance being extended now. The identified beneficiaries can reach the Chief Minister via Jaganannaku Chebudam if they face any problems. They have to call a toll-free number 1902.
• The State government with an intention to reduce the dropout rate significantly in schools, has made 75% attendance mandatory for availing oneself of the benefits under “Jagananna Amma Vodi”. The mothers should take the responsibility of sending their children to school regularly to ensure at least 75% attendance.
• The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Andhra Pradesh for the year 2018 Primary Education was as low as 84.48 when compared to the national average of 99.21. Andhra Pradesh then was at the lowest place among 29 States. In the last 4 years, the State has witnessed a remarkable surge in GER from 84.48 to 100.8. The Government has decided to further improve the GER and to encourage the continuation of studies by the students who failed in Class 10th and Intermediate are readmitted to schools and colleges and are once again provided with Jagananna Amma Vodi benefit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in valedictory function of Delhi University’s centenary celebrations

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the valedictory Ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Delhi University today. Prime Minister will address the gathering on the occasion. In a tweet, Prime Minister said that he is looking forward to joining the University of Delhi’s centenary celebrations. Mr Modi said, as a premier centre of learning, Delhi University has been nurturing talent and fostering intellectual growth for a century. He congratulated the DU fraternity on this milestone.
• During the programme, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Delhi University Computer Centre and the building of the Faculty of Technology, and the Academic Block which will be built in the North Campus of the University.
• The University of Delhi was established on 1st May 1922. In the last hundred years, the University has grown and expanded immensely and now has 86 departments, and 90 Colleges. Over six lakh students have passed out from the University so far.

 SPORTS

India beat Iran in final to win eighth title of the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 

• India emerged victorious in the final of the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 held in Busan, Korea on 30th June defeating Iran with a score of 42-32.
• Kabaddi-ChampionshipIndia emerged victorious in the final of the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 held in Busan, Korea on 30th June defeating Iran with a score of 42-32. This victory marks India's eighth title out of nine editions of the championship, highlighting their dominance in the sport.
• Pawan Sehrawat, the captain of the Indian team, played a crucial role by securing a super 10, leading the team to success. In the earlier league stage of the tournament, India showcased their prowess by defeating Hong Kong with a comprehensive scoreline of 64-20.
• Six teams, including India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong, participated in the championship. India finished the league stage undefeated, winning all five matches and securing the top position in the points table. Iran, having only lost to India during the league stage, secured the second position and advanced to the final.
• The Indian kabaddi teams will now focus on the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, scheduled from September 23 to October 8, where they will face a tough challenge from defending champions Iran, who defeated India in the semi-finals in Jakarta in 2018.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

IPS officer Ajay Bhatnagar appointed Special Director in CBI 

• Senior IPS officer Ajay Bhatnagar has been appointed as Special Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), according to a Personnel Ministry order.
• Bhatnagar, a 1989 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Jharkhand cadre, is currently Additional Director in the federal probe agency. He has been appointed to the post till the date of his superannuation on November 20, 2024
• Anurag, who was previously Joint Director in the CBI, has been promoted to the role of Additional Director in the agency for a period until July 24, 2023, which completes his seven-year tenure.
• Manoj Sashidhar, a 1994 batch IPS officer from Gujarat cadre, has been appointed as Additional Director in the CBI for a three-year term. He is currently serving as Joint Director in the agency.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted an extension in the deputation tenure of Sharad Agarwal, Joint Director of the CBI, for one year beyond May 31, 2023.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation plays a crucial role in tackling high-profile cases, maintaining national security, and upholding the rule of law in India.
• The appointments and extensions in the CBI are part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the agency's capabilities and ensure its effectiveness in serving the nation's interests.

 INPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Parliamentarism 

• Today, June 30, marks the annual celebration of the International Day of Parliamentarism, commemorating the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889. This special day, established by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution in 2018, serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by parliaments worldwide in achieving predetermined goals.
• History - The inaugural UN International Day of Parliamentarism was celebrated in 1899 upon the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Subsequently, the day was officially designated in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.
• Theme - The United Nations has designated the theme for this year as 'Parliaments for the Planet.' The theme emphasises that climate action starts at home, urging parliaments and parliamentarians to:
• Promote the reduction of carbon footprints.
• Adopt greener policies.
• Embrace a sustainable future.
• By taking decisive action on climate change, parliaments and parliamentarians can contribute to controlling the climate crisis.

 World Asteroid Day 

• World Asteroid Day is an annual global event which is held on June 30, the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst decimated about 2,000 square km (500,000 acres) of pine forest in central Siberia, Russia. The Tunguska asteroid event was the Earth's largest asteroid impact in recorded history.
• History - The Asteroid Day was cofounded in 2014 (the year after the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor air burst) by renowned cosmologist Stephen Hawking, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, astrophysicist Brian May and some others. On 15 February 2013, an extraordinarily large fireball, travelling at a speed of 18.6 kms per second, entered the atmosphere and disintegrated in the skies over Chelyabinsk, Russia. According to NASA, the diameter of the asteroid was estimated at 18 meters and it’s mass at 11,000 tons. The total impact energy of the Chelyabinsk Fireball was 440 kilotons.
• Significance - This day serves as a reminder of the devastating impact asteroids can have on Earth and highlights the incident of the 1908 Tunguska event and the Chelyabinsk event of 2013 in recorded history. The catastrophic impact of an asteroid on earth can understand from the fact that around 65 million years ago a chain reaction started by an asteroid impact led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and affected all life on Earth. It is also an ideal day to think of measures to save the planet from the hazardous effects of asteroids

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

MoU signed between Ministry of Culture and Canara Bank for disbursal of financial assistance to veteran artists 

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Culture and Canara Bank on 28.06.2023 for disbursal of financial assistance to veteran artists under the “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists”.
• Ministry of Culture administers a Scheme namely “Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists” under which financial assistance of Rs. 6000/- per month is provided to artists and scholars above the age of 60 years who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of performing arts and culture in their active age or are still contributing, but due to old age they are facing difficulty and are in penury condition. Currently, under the scheme, disbursal of financial assistance in respect of artists selected before 2017 is made through LIC while for the artists approved post 2017, it is made directly by the Ministry. It has been noted that the receipt of documents from the beneficiaries often get delayed resulting in disbursal of amount as lump sum instead of being released on a regular basis. With the signing of the MoU with Canara Bank, in a period of approximately two months post streamlining of the process, disbursal of financial assistance to the veteran artists would commence on monthly basis, also ensuring redressal of long pending grievances of beneficiaries. 

2nd meeting of India-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee held in Arusha 

• The second edition of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Tanzania was held in Arusha on June 28 & 29, 2023. The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad, included senior officials from Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. The High Commissioner of India to Tanzania Shri Binay S Pradhan also attended the meeting.
• During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of opportunities for collaboration with a view to enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian delegation highlighted the growing prowess of the Indian Defence manufacturing to export to friendly countries. A five-year roadmap for defence cooperation was also agreed to between the two sides, which covers initiatives ranging from customised training & capacity building to maritime cooperation, infrastructure building and collaboration in defence equipment and technology.
• Representatives from Defence PSUs also accompanied the Indian delegation. They held extensive meetings with the stakeholders from the Tanzanian Forces on the sidelines of the JDCC meeting.

RANKING

India ranks 67th on WEF’s Energy Transition Index, Sweden tops 

• With significant improvement in key parameters of energy equity & security, and environmental sustainability, India jumped 20 places to the 67th position among 120 countries in the ‘Energy Transition Index’ (ETI), according to a report released by the World Economic Forum Wednesday. ETI benchmarks the countries on the performance of their energy systems, and also their readiness to secure sustainable energy systems.
• India’s energy transition has garnered international recognition for its accelerated progress across all dimensions. The report emphasizes India’s commitment to building a secure and sustainable energy future despite continued economic growth. One of India’s notable achievements is the achievement of universal access to electricity. By replacing solid fuels with cleaner cooking options, India has improved the quality of life for its citizens while reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption.
• Reduction in Energy Intensity and Carbon Intensity - India’s energy transition journey highlights significant strides in reducing energy intensity and carbon intensity. Through the implementation of energy-efficient measures and the adoption of cleaner technologies, India has successfully decoupled its economic growth from energy consumption and reduced its carbon footprint.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

ICICI Lombard and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance jointly launch ‘iShield’ 

• CICI Lombard General Insurance and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance have jointly launched an insurance solution, “iShield”, which will provide customers with both, health and life insurance. The plan will enable customers to take care of expenses required for medical treatments. Besides, it will also provide a lump sum amount to the family in case of the unfortunate demise of the policyholder.
• iShield, with its two-in-one benefit, will provide customers with the convenience of managing their health and life insurance needs through a single proposition instead of purchasing separate products for each of them. Customers can easily purchase this solution by filling in a single application and undergoing a medical check-up. Besides the vast agent network, multiple easy-to-use touchpoints such as the company website or the mobile app will provide customers with a hassle-free purchase and premium payment experience.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

World Bank approves $700 million for crisis-hit Sri Lanka 

• The World Bank has approved a substantial funding package of 700 million dollars for Sri Lanka, providing a significant boost to the country's financial situation. Out of the approved funds, approximately 500 million dollars will be allocated for budgetary support, aimed at stabilizing the country's economy. The remaining 200 million dollars will be dedicated to welfare support, with the objective of assisting those most affected by the ongoing crisis.
• Sri Lanka's financial crisis - Sri Lanka has been facing its most severe financial crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The country experienced record lows in Foreign Exchange reserves last year, prompting India to provide humanitarian assistance totaling approximately 4 billion dollars through grants and lines of credit.
• The World Bank's assistance represents the largest amount of financial support received by the crisis-stricken nation since the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement in March. The IMF agreement provided Sri Lanka with an extended fund facility of close to 3 billion dollars, which will be available over a 48-month period.