Current Affairs Today 18th August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 18th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. SEBI has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the Bank of Baroda for violating mutual fund regulations
  2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tightened the norms for core investment companies (CICs), based on the recommendations received from the working group which was formed to review the framework.
  3. State Bank of India’s research report Ecowrap expects the country’s GDP to contract by 16.5 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal.
  4. The President of India Ram Nath Kovind unveiled the portrait of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India virtually on his second death anniversary, at the headquarters of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
  5. President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the change in name of the Ministry of Human Resource Development as Ministry of Education.
  6. The Chief Minister of Chattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel has announced the launch of the Padhai Tuhar Para Scheme (Education up to your locality), a new scheme on 15th August, Independence Day.
  7. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones of Rs 3,000-crore highway projects in Manipur
  8. The Punjab Government announced that the state achieved first rank in operationalisation of Health and Welfare Centres (HWCs) as per the latest rankings released by the Centre.
  9. On the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that a “Task Force” on the economy has been formed to suggest reforms for rejuvenating the economy in the short, medium and long-term.
  10. The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa was held virtually.
  11. A virtual meeting was held between the Senior diplomats of India and Nepal to review the progress made on various India-aided developmental projects being implemented in the Himalayan nation.
  12. Standard Chartered Bank has partnered Airtel Africa to drive financial inclusion across key markets in Africa by providing customers with increased access to mobile financial services.
  13. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has ordered probe into the Air India Express aircraft crash at Kozhikode airport.
  14. Government of India has appointed Rakesh Asthana as the new director-general of the Border Security Force (BSF).
  15. Central bank of India has appointed Mr. Ashwini Kumar Shukla as Chief Risk Officer.
  16. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said it has appointed G P Garg as executive director (ED).
  17. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched Konkurs Missile Test Equipment and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment, which have been indigenously designed and developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
  18. Amritsar based e-mobility start-up, eBikeGO has appointed Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh as its brand ambassador.
  19. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain.
  20. England off-spinner Laura Marsh has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket. Marsh had decided to retire from international cricket last December.
  21. Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the e-portal on tribal health and nutrition named ‘Swasthya’.
  22. The book, titled “A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the Covid-19 pandemic”,written by award-winning children’s author Bijal Vachharajani.
  23. Indian classical vocalist, Pandit Jasraj passed away.
  24. Director-actor Nishikant Kamat passed away.
  25. Noted Carnatic musician and renowned veena vidwan Dr B Siva Kumar, senior veena artist of AIR Tiruchirapalli passed away in Trichy. He was 53.
  26. Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) president Yadupati Singhania died in Singapore. He was 67.

NEWS IN DETAILS

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI imposes Rs 10 lakh fine on Bank of Baroda

  • SEBI has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the Bank of Baroda for violating mutual fund regulations for non-compliance of Regulation 7B of SEBI (Mutual Fund Regulations), 1996 with the directions issued by SEBI in the case of holding, more than prescribed limit, equity shares of UTI Asset Management Company Ltd and UTI Trustee Pvt Ltd.

Extra Shots:

SEBI

  • Founded: 12 April 1992
  • Sector: Securities market
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Type: Statutory corporation
  • Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

RBI tightens norms for core investment companies

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tightened the norms for core investment companies (CICs), based on the recommendations received from the working group which was formed to review the framework.
  • The new guidelines were based on the recommendations of the Working Group to Review Regulatory and Supervisory Framework for CICs, headed by Tapan Ray, former secretary of the corporate affairs ministry.
  • The report was published by RBI on 6 November 2019.
  • According to the revised guidelines, the GRMC will have to analyze material risks to which the group, its businesses and subsidiaries are exposed.
  • CICs with assets of over Rs 5,000 crore will have to appoint a chief risk officer (CRO).
  • While computing Adjusted Net Worth (ANW), the amount representing any direct or indirect capital contribution made by one CIC in another CIC, which exceeds 10% of owned funds of the investing CIC, shall be deducted.
  • CIC in the group, or the CIC with the largest asset size, will have to form a group risk management committee (GRMC), comprising of at least five members, with two independent directors.

Extra Shots:

RBI

  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: British Raj
  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das
  • Subsidiaries: Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India’s GDP to contract 16.5 per cent in April-June quarter

  • State Bank of India’s research report Ecowrap expects the country’s GDP to contract by 16.5 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal.
  • Earlier in May, Ecowrap had estimated Q1 FY21 GDP contraction at over 20 per cent and now pegs it at much lower contraction of 16.5 per cent for the quarter,

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

President Ram Nath Kovind virtually unveils a portrait of Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at ICCR Headquarters

  • The President of India Ram Nath Kovind unveiled the portrait of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India virtually on his second death anniversary, at the headquarters of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
  • From March 1977 to August 1979, the former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the ex-officio President of ICCR, when he was Foreign Minister.

Extra Shots:

Indian Council for Cultural Relations

  • President: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
  • Founder: Abul Kalam Azad
  • Founded: 9 April 1950, New Delhi
  • Director General: Shri Dineshk Patnaik
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Parent organisation: Government of India

HRD ministry officially renamed as Ministry of Education

  • President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the change in name of the Ministry of Human Resource Development as Ministry of Education.
  • The name change was among the key recommendations of the draft new National Education Policy, NEP which was cleared by the Union Cabinet last month.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Chhattisgarh CM launch Padhai Tuhar Para Scheme for School Students

  • The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel has announced the launch of the Padhai Tuhar Para Scheme (Education up to your locality), a new scheme on 15th August, Independence Day.
  • Under the scheme, the students will be able to study in their own neighbourhoods as classes were suspended due to the outbreak of covid-19.

Padhai Tuhar Para Scheme:

  • Padhai Tunhar Para scheme aims to teach children with the help of the community in the villages.
  • The scheme was launched to take the Padhai Tunhar Duar scheme, an online education platform further.
  • The state government launched the scheme to benefit around 2.2 million children are getting its benefit.
  • Also, the CM has launched a Bluetooth-based programme called Bultu ke Bol with an aim to introduce to provide study materials to students in remote areas with no access to the Internet.

Extra Shots:

Chhattisgarh

  • Statehood Day: November 1, 2000
  • Capital: Raipur
  • Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
  • Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
  • Literacy Rate: 60.21%
  • National Park: Indravati (Kutru) National Park, Kanger Valley National Park, Guru Ghasi Das (Sanjay) National Park

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone of Rs 3,000 crore highway projects in Manipur

  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones of Rs 3,000-crore highway projects in Manipur and said the government will soon take up additional projects worth Rs 16,023 crore in the state.
  • Laid the foundation stone of the 13 highway projects and inaugurated a road safety project in a virtual ceremony.

Extra Shots:

Manipur

  • Statehood Day: 21 January, 1972
  • Capital: Imphal
  • Governor: Najma Heptulla
  • Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh

Punjab gets 1st rank in Health, Welfare Centre Operationalisation

  • The Punjab Government announced that the state achieved first rank in operationalisation of Health and Welfare Centres (HWCs) as per the latest rankings released by the Centre.
  • The despite restrictions on the movement of people due to COVID-19-induced lockdown, HWCs across Punjab recorded 28.1 lakh footfalls in the last five months.
  • Punjab would soon become the leading State in the Health sector as the state government has taken the pro-people initiative to further strengthen the health infrastructure.

Extra Shots:

Punjab

  • Capital: Chandigarh
  • Chief Minister: Amarinder Singh
  • Governor: V. P. Singh Badnore

Meghalaya CM launches ‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’ to revive State’s economy

  • On the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that a “Task Force” on the economy has been formed to suggest reforms for rejuvenating the economy in the short, medium and long-term.
  • Based on the recommendations, the state government will launch the “Restart Meghalaya Mission”.
  • Over Rs14,515 crores would be spent for implementation of the mission during the next three years.
  • This mission comprises a series of programs to support our farmers, and entrepreneurs and to build growth promoting basic infrastructure and services.

Extra Shots:

Meghalaya

  • Capital: Shillong
  • Chief Minister: Conrad Sangma
  • Governor: Tathagata Roy

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Fourth Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group held

  • The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa was held virtually.
  • The Indian delegation was led by Shri Rakesh Asthana, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau.
  • The session was held over the video conference on August 12, 2020. The 4th session was chaired by Russia.

Highlights:

  • The countries adopted reaffirming the commitment of the five-member states to the International Anti-drug conventions.
  • India recommended for nodal points to enable real-time information sharing among BRICS nations.
  • The countries exchanged opinions concerning the drug situation in their countries, the international and regional trends of illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs.

Extra Shots:

BRICS

  • Founded: June 2006
  • Formation: 2009
  • Official language: Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, Chinese, English
  • State Leaders: Jair Bolsonaro; Vladimir Putin; Narendra Modi; Xi Jinping; Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Founders: India, China, Brazil, Russia

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

India and Nepal to speed up implementation of projects in the Himalayan nation

  • A virtual meeting was held between the Senior diplomats of India and Nepal to review the progress made on various India-aided developmental projects being implemented in the Himalayan nation.
  • The meeting was held virtually due to the covid-19 pandemic.
  • The meeting was the 8th round of talks under the aegis of the India-Nepal Oversight Mechanism.

Highlights:

  • The Nepalese side was lead by the Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and the Indian side was led by the Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
  • The delegations represented their respective countries during the oversight mechanism meeting.
  • The officials assessed the progress made on various India aided development projects being implemented in Nepal.
  • India and Nepal officials have reviewed the status of various development projects supported by New Delhi in the Himalayan nation.
  • Both nations has decided to speed up their implementation against the backdrop of consistent efforts by China to draw Nepal into its sphere of influence with cheap loans and infrastructure projects.
  • The meeting also included the ongoing projects including the cross-border railway connectivity, construction of roads in Nepa’s Terai region, the Arun-III hydropower project, and petroleum product pipelines.

Extra Shots:

Nepal (Capital/Currency): Kathmandu/ Nepalese rupee

  • President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari

Standard Chartered bank partners Airtel Africa for financial services in Africa

  • Standard Chartered Bank has partnered Airtel Africa to drive financial inclusion across key markets in Africa by providing customers with increased access to mobile financial services.
  • The duo will work together to co-create new, innovative products aimed at enhancing the accessibility of financial services and, ultimately, better serve people across Africa.
  • In line with this, Airtel Money’s customers will be able to make real-time online deposits and withdrawals from Standard Chartered bank accounts, receive international money transfers directly to their wallets and access savings products amongst other services.

Extra Shots:

Standard Chartered Bank

  • Headquarters location: London, United Kingdom
  • CEO: Bill Winters
  • Founded: 1969, London, United Kingdom
  • Owner: Temasek Holdings
  • Founders: Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, Standard Bank

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Govt forms 5 members panel to probe into Kozhikode plane crash

  • Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has ordered probe into the Air India Express aircraft crash at Kozhikode airport.
  • The Investigation of the aircraft crash will be done by a five-member team headed by Captain S S Chahar.
  • The team will investigate and determine the probable causes and contributory factors leading to the accident.
  • It will also make recommendations to avoid such recurrences in the future. Investigator in-charge Captain S S Chahar will submit his report within 5 months.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Rakesh Asthana becomes new DG of BSF

  • Government of India has appointed Rakesh Asthana as the new director-general of the Border Security Force (BSF). Currently, DG Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) chief S S Deswal was holding the additional charge of BSF since March this year.
  • V S K Kaumudi, who is currently the director-general of BPRD (Bureau of police research and development) has been appointed as special secretary (internal security) or SS(IS) in the ministry of home affairs.
  • Jawed Akhtar has been appointed as DG Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guard.

Extra Shots:

BSF

  • Motto: जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य (Duty unto Death)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • General nature: Federal law enforcement
  • Founder: Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
  • Founded: 1 December 1965
  • Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs

Central bank of India appoints Ashwini Kumar Shukla as Chief Risk Officer

  • Central bank of India has appointed Mr. Ashwini Kumar Shukla as Chief Risk Officer.
  • As part of reform agenda announced by Ministry of Finance last year August 2019, the Central bank of India is first one to appoint a CRO from market.

Extra Shots:

Central bank of India

  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • CEO: Pallav Mohapatra
  • Founded: 21 December 1911
  • Owner: Government of India
  • Founders: Sorabji Pochkhanawala, Pherozeshah Mehta

SEBI appoints G P Garg as Executive Director

  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said it has appointed G P Garg as executive director (ED).
  • Prior to his promotion as ED, Garg was Chief General Manager in Sebi and has handled several assignments since joining in January 1994.

Extra Shots:

SEBI

  • Founded: 12 April 1992
  • Sector: Securities market
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Defence Minister launches BDL’s indigenised Konkurs missile test equipment

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched Konkurs Missile Test Equipment and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment, which have been indigenously designed and developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
  • The two products have been launched as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ week being celebrated during August 7-14, 2020.
  • The Konkurs Missile Test Equipment is designed for checking the serviceability of Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles.
  • Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment is designed and developed for checking the serviceability of Konkurs-M missile launchers.

Extra Shots:

Bharat Dynamics Limited

  • Headquarters: India
  • Founder: India
  • Founded: 1970, Hyderabad
  • Parent organizations: Government of India, Ministry of Defence

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Harbhajan Singh becomes new Brand Ambassador of eBikeGO

  • Amritsar based e-mobility start-up, eBikeGO has appointed Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh as its brand ambassador.
  • He will help the company to upgrade itself and will also have an active presence on the company’s website and campaigns across media.

Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Spanish Grand Prix 2020

  • Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain.
  • This was his 4th win of the season and the 88th win of his career.
  • Max Verstappen (Red Bull–Netherlands) came second followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) at third.

England’s Laura Marsh announces retirement from all forms of cricket

  • England off-spinner Laura Marsh has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket. Marsh had decided to retire from international cricket last December.
  • Marsh had made her debut in 2006 in Tests as a fast bowler but switched to spin bowling later in her career.
  • She was part of the England squad that won the Women’s World Cup in 2009 and in 2017.
  • She was also part of the T20 World Cup title-winning side in 2009.
  • The 33-year-old played nine Tests, 103 ODIs and 67 T20Is for England, picking up 217 wickets across formats.

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Ministry of Tribal Affairs launches Tribal Health & Nutrition Portal – ‘Swasthya’

  • Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the e-portal on tribal health and nutrition named ‘Swasthya’.
  • It is a first of its kind e-portal, providing all health and nutrition-related information of the tribal population of India in a single platform.
  • Apart from this, e-newsletter on health and nutrition ALEKH was also announced. It is a quarterly newsletter.
  • Opening of National Overseas Portal and National Tribal Fellowship Portal (for inviting online applications for academic year 2020-21) was another important announcement that was made.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A Bend in Time’: Pandemic through the eyes of children authored by Bijal Vachharajani

  • The book, titled “A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the Covid-19 pandemic”,written by award-winning children’s author Bijal Vachharajani.
  • The book is a collection of 12 engrossing stories and essays by children and young adults from across the country.

OBITUARY

Renowned classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj passes away

  • Indian classical vocalist, Pandit Jasraj passed away.
  • He was born in Haryana in 1930, his musical career spanned eight decades.
  • He received several national and international awards in his career.
  • Pandit Jasraj was a recipient of India’s fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri in 1975; Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987 and Padma Bhushan in 1999.
  • In the year 2000, the government of India conferred him with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country.

Filmmaker Nishikant Kamat passes away

  • Director-actor Nishikant Kamat passed away.
  • He made his directorial debut in 2005 with Marathi movie Dombivali Fast, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi.

Renowned Carnatic musician & Veena artist Dr B Siva Kumar passes away

  • Noted Carnatic musician and renowned veena vidwan Dr B Siva Kumar, senior veena artist of AIR Tiruchirapalli passed away in Trichy. He was 53.
  • He has won several awards including the Tamil Iyal Isai Nataka sangam award and the award for Ragam Tanam Pallavi presentation from the Tamil Isai Sangam.

UPCA president Yadupati Singhania passes away