WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE - Edjuvo

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EDJUVO
 WEEKLY
CURRENT
 AFFAIRS
MAGAZINE
JULY   15   - JULY     21 2019
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WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS- (15 JULY – 21 JULY)

NATIONAL                                                                         1-8

STATE                                                                           9-12

INTERNATIONAL                                                               13-16

BANKING & FINANCE                                                           17-20

BUISNESS & ECONOMY                                                          21-22

SPORTS                                                                      23-26

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS                                                 27-29

AWARDS & HONOURS                                                            30-31

BOOKS                                                                            32

SCIENCE, SPACE & TECHNOLOGY                                                 33-34

OBITUARY                                                                    35-36

IMPORTANT DAYS                                                                   37

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                                                  National
   1. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched ‘LaQshya’(Labour
      room Quality Improvement Initiative)
      The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India launched ‘LaQshya’ (Labour
       room Quality improvement Initiative)Initiative to improve quality of care in labor room and maternity
       operation theatres in public health facilities.
      It is a safe delivery mobile application for health workers who manage normal and complicated
       deliveries in the peripheral area
      It aims to reduce preventable maternal and newborn mortality, morbidity, and stillbirths associated with
       the care around delivery in the Labour room and Maternity Operation Theatre and ensure respectful
       maternity care.
   2. Switching to renewable energy can drive up energy poverty: Study
      Switching to renewable energy sources from fossil fuels can help reduce carbon emissions but at the
       expense of increased energy inequality, claims a study.
      The study published in the journal 'Energy Research & Social Science.' The study of 175 nations from
       1990 to 2014 supports previous claims by researchers who argue that renewable energy consumption
       may be indirectly driving energy poverty.
      Energy poverty is when a household has no or inadequate access to energy services such as heating,
       cooling, lighting, and use of appliances due to a combination of factors like low income, increasing
       utility rates, and inefficient buildings and appliances.
   3. High-Level Steering Committee set up by the Govt proposes to establish a
      National Digital Health Mission
      A high-level committee set up by the Union ministry of health and Family Welfare, Government of
       India has produced their report called ‘National Digital Health Blueprint’ was released by Health
       Minister Dr. Harshavardhan in New Delhi.
      The committee proposed to form a National Digital Health Mission & both the centre and state
       Governments will be the owners and stakeholders in the new organization.

   Key points:

   ♦Combined GST-N(Goods and Service Tax Network) and UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of
   India) models of the institutional structure has also been proposed by the committee. It has been put in the
   public domain for suggestions from all stakeholders, including common people.

   ♦The central Government also proposes to implement the blueprint as part of Prime Minister Narendra
   Modi’s vision of ‘New India’.

   ♦The creation of health locker has also been proposed to the health ministry by a committee & suggested
   the government to provide a unique Personal Health Identity (PHI) number and password to each user for
   operating the digital health locker. With the availability of the digital health locker, patients won’t need to
   carry their medical records in any corner of the world.

   ♦It also suggested the government to take stringent measures to save the data in the health locker. Currently,
   there is no strong law that could protect health data of people.

   4. AIIMS along with Ministry of Health will lead the largest pan-India Oral Health
      Survey 2019
      All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Centre for Dental Education and Research (CDER) in
       collaboration with the Ministry of Health will undertake the largest nationwide Oral Health Survey
       2019. It will collect data which will act as a baseline for planning preventive and treatment strategies.

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   Key Points:

   ♦Objective: To record specific, representative data on the most prevalent dental diseases in India like dental
   decay, gum diseases, dentofacial deformities, cancerous lesions, dental fluorosis and dental trauma among
   others.

   ♦Committee: An expert committee consists of dentists representing various oral health specialities and
   health ministry officials. They met at the AIIMS to discuss sampling strategies, planning and timelines of
   the survey.

   ♦Background: The last national-level survey was conducted in 2002.

   ♦Functions: Collection of oral health data of the children in early years of life, assessment of prosthetic
   treatment needs in the geriatric groups considering the increasing life expectancy, the impact of traditional
   oral hygiene practices and high sugars diet on oral health.

   ♦Current status: Activities to enhance oral health outcomes of the population through education and
   awareness generation are underway as a part of the National Oral Health Programme.

   5. Coca-Cola India & South West Asia announces changes to its leadership team
      Beverage company Coca-Cola India & South West Asia has announced changes to its leadership team,
       said a statement issued recently.
      Sarvita Sethi has taken over as vice-president– M&A and new ventures from her earlier role of vice-
       president of finance India & South West Asia.
      Harsh Bhutani has been appointed to the position of vice-president – finance (CFO), Coca-Cola India
       & South West Asia, effective 1st August 2019.
   6. NGT sets 3-month deadline to shut polluting industries across India
      NGT has directed the Central Pollution Control Board to shut down polluting industries in "critically
       polluted" and "severely polluted" areas within three months.
      On the basis of a study jointly carried out by the CPCB and state pollution control boards in 2009-10,
       industrial clusters were notified as Polluted Industrial Areas (PIAs) and they were ranked as 'critically
       polluted area' (CPA), 'severely polluted area' (SPA) and 'other polluted areas' (OPAs), depending upon
       the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index scores.
      The tribunal also directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to take steps for enforcement of
       action plan for improvement of the situation.
   7. Over 30 lakh persons enrolled under PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme till
      July 10
      Union Government said that total thirty lakh 85 thousand 205 persons have been enrolled under
       PradhanMantriShram Yogi Maandhan Scheme, PM-SYM, till 10th of this month.
      PM-SYM a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the benefit of unorganized workers in
       February this year in the country.
      The minimum monthly pension of three thousand rupees to the beneficiaries after attaining the age of
       60 years.
   8. DoT and ICRIER sign MoU to develop BRI for Indian States and UTs
      Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic
       Relations (ICRIER) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a Broadband
       Readiness Index (BRI) for Indian States and Union Territories (UTs).

   Frequency

      The first estimate will be made in 2019. Subsequently, it will be made every year until 2022.

   Background

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      The need to develop an initiative was recognized by the National Digital Communication Policy
       (NDCP) 2018 in order to build a digital communications infrastructure, leveraging existing assets of
       the broadcasting and power sectors including collaborative models involving state, local bodies and the
       private sector.
   9. 12 Indian beaches in the race to crest the ‘Blue Flag’ challenge
      The Union Environment Ministry has selected 12 beaches in India to vie for a ‘Blue Flag’ certification,
       an international recognition conferred on beaches that meet certain criteria of cleanliness and
       environmental propriety.
      These beaches are at Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Bhogave (Maharashtra), Ghoghla (Diu), Miramar (Goa),
       Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Eden (Puducherry), Mahabalipuram (Tamil
       Nadu), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha), and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar
       Islands).
      The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-
       profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).
   10. Govt launches “Kaushal Yuva Samwaad” to interact with youth and get their
       perspective on skill development
      To commemorate World Youth Skills Day (July 15) and celebrate the 4th Anniversary of the Skill
       India Mission, the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) launched
       ‘Kaushal Yuva Samwaad’ (A Youth Dialogue) in New Delhi.
      It aimed at creating an open dialogue with youth across all skill training centres to hear their views,
       ideas, opportunities, and recommendations help the Ministry of Skill Development scaling up existing
       programs and improve the overall efficiency of the on-going projects.
      The platform discusses potential issues and solutions from the candidates’ perspective. It also gives
       MoSDE perspective to match aspirations of youth with offerings of Skill India.
   11. Under Bharat Net, more than 1.28 Lakh Gram Panchayats linked with optical
       fibre
      Union Panchayat Raj Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed that under Bharat Netprogramme,
       more than 1.28 Lakh Gram Panchayats were linked with optical fibre. The programme has uploaded
       the photographic evidence of the works taken up by them and assistance given to beneficiaries.

   Key Points:

   ♦The development plans have been uploaded by 2.19 Lakh Gram Panchayats and the details of 16 lakh
   works taken up by them are available on the website to ensure transparency.

   ♦States which do not conduct local body elections are will not funded under the Finance Commission. This
   is done in order to empower the Panchayats.

   12. SC constituted a high powered committee to frame an emergency plan to prevent
       the extinction of Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican
      The Supreme Court (SC) by taking serious note of alarming extinction of two Indian birds namely
       Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican has constituted a high powered committee to urgently
       frame and implement an emergency response plan for the protection of these species. It also sought
       responses from the Centre and state governments, where these two species of birds are prominently
       found.

   Key points:

   ♦Structure: The 3 member panel comprises Deepak Apte, Director of Bombay Natural History Society
   (BNHS), Dr. Asad R Rahmani, former Director of BNHS and member of governing body of Wetlands
   International South Asia and Dr. Dhananjai Mohan, Chief Conservator of Forests of Uttarakhand.

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   ♦Background: The panel was formed by especially powerlines the apex court on plea contended that over
   the last 50 years population of Great Indian Bustard has recorded decline of over 82%( falling from an
   estimated 1260 in 1969 to 100-150 in 2018) by wildlife activists

   ♦Over the past few decades, the population of Lesser Florican(also known as likh or kharmore) has seen a
   sharp decline of 80%. These two critically endangered bird species are facing threats of mortality by
   collision with infrastructure especially powerlines and wind turbines, depletion of grasslands, hunting, etc.
   Both birds are protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 but despite being accorded highest level
   of protection under national law, these birds are facing the threat of imminent extinction.

   ♦Emergency response plan: Under the plan, wildlife activists have suggested steps that should be taken
   includes, urgent dismantling and undergrounding of powerlines and wind turbines, immediate embargo on
   any upcoming wind, solar power projects, and powerlines in and around critical habitats, installation of
   predator-proof fencing in critical habitats to protect breeding grounds of both the species from invasive
   human activities as well as predators and implementation of dog population control program.

   13. POCSO (Amendment) Bill-2019 introduced in Rajya Sabha
      The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill - 2019 seeks to amend the
       Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act- 2012 which will make punishment stricter for
       committing sexual crimes against kids including death penalty.
      Recent amendments also provide for levy of fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography.
      To protect children and to ensure their safety and dignity bill is need of hour. The Bill was introduced
       by Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani.
   14. Cabinet approves setting up of National Medical Commission
      National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 provides for setting up of a National Medical Commission in
       place of Medical Council of India.
      The Commission will regulate fee and all other charges for 50 per cent seats in private medical colleges
       and deemed universities.
      The strength of the Autonomous Boards has been increased from 3 to 5 and it includes 2 part-time
       members. One of them will be a doctor selected by the Government and the other will be an elected
       doctor from State Medical Council.
   15. Supreme Courtforms panel to frame emergency planfor the protectionGreat
       Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican Bird
      Supreme Court of India has constituted a three member high powered committee to frame and
       implement an emergency response plan for the protection of two Indian birds species namely Great
       Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican
      The panel comprising
      Dr Deepak Apte – Director of Bombay Natural History Society;
      Dr Asad R Rahmaniformer Director of Bombay Natural History Society and member of governing
       body of Wetlands International South Asia
      Dr Dhananjai Mohan, Chief Conservator of Forests of Uttarakhand.
   16. Cabinet Approvals on July 17, 2019
      Approval to the expenditure on 2880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh at Rs.
       1600 crore
      Approval to the extension of the term of the Fifteenth Finance Commission up to November 30, 2019
      Approval to the Amendment in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Fifteenth Finance Commission
      Approval to the Implementation of the Cabinet’s decision dated 28.12.2016 regarding pharmaceutical
       companies
      Approval to Double New Bongaigaon-Agthori via Rangiya railway line
      Approval to boost Railway Connectivity between Allahabad and Mughalsarai
      Approval to boost to Rail Connectivity in Uttar Pradesh
      Approval to set up National Medical Commission

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      Approval to Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2019 to scrap 58 Redundant Laws
   17. Demand for digitally skilled manpower will increase at 35% CAGR:
       NASSCOM
      As per the Indian Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing industry,
       NASSCOM(National Association of Software and Services Companies), the demand for digitally
       skilled talent projected to grow significantly at 35% Compounded Annual Growth Rate(CAGR) till
       2023. In 2023, the demand for digitally skilled professionals will rise to 2.3-2.7 million.

   Key points:

   ♦Present Status: Currently, the digital talent in IT-ITeS(Information Technology Enabled Services) industry
   in the country increased at over 20% and has a base of 2,60,000 in cloud computing, 185,000 in
   AI(Artificial Intelligence) & big data analytics, 185,000 in social media and mobile platforms and 170,000
   in IoT(Internet of Things).

   ♦Reskilling and upskilling:54% of all employees will require significant reskilling by 2022. Due to the
   Lack of talent availability, NASSCOM planned to tie-up with around 30 universities to reskill the talent
   base in 2019.

   ♦Development: The skills that are being developed in new technologies include the development of
   applications, data management, designing use case platforms for operations and directly working with the
   technology for applications on a daily basis.

   ♦Going forward: 60-65 % of job profiles in the four million jobs in industry were expected to change in the
   next 5 years. NASSCOM’s FutureSkills initiative is to place India as the talent hub for emerging
   technologies and pioneer in global digital capabilities. An industry utility for skills development in 10 new-
   age technologies, 10 professional skills, 70+ job roles and 155+ technical skills, the platform will be a
   complement to the government’s Digital India initiative.

   ♦Immediate objective by NASSCOM: To transform 100 universities to supply digital talent, upskilling 4
   million professionals by 2025.

   18. Special Public awareness campaign on vector-borne diseases launched in Delhi
      Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched a 3-day public awareness
       campaign named “Jagrukta Abhiyaan” in New Delhi to sensitize and mobilize the people on measures
       about prevention and control of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) like Malaria, Dengue, and
       Chikungunya.

   Key points:

   ♦Aim: The campaign aimed at making the community a partner for checking vector(mosquito) breeding
   across Delhi.

   ♦Participants: It is the people’s movement in Delhi by the involvement of people’s representatives, officers
   from Government of India & Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Corporations(NDMC), Delhi Municipal Council,
   Railways and Cantonment Board and other stakeholders.

   ♦Strategy: Totally 286 ward-wise teams (in all 272 municipal wards and 14 locations of NDMC) have been
   constituted having 20-25 as their members including officers of the municipal corporations along with
   officers from central government and government of Delhi.

   ♦Awareness: As a part of the exercise, teams visit residential areas, schools, hospitals and markets in Delhi
   and sensitize people on prevention and control of such diseases.

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   ♦1st meet: This is the first time that the centre, state and local bodies converge in their efforts to mobilize
   the community for a public health activity.

   19. Ambikapur launches India’s first garbage café
      By launching India’s first garbage cafe, Ambikapur, a city in the state of Chhattisgarh, is bringing out
       the ‘best out of waste’.
      This innovative idea birthed by the Municipal Corporation will not only tackle the ever rising problem
       of waste management but will also address the issue of food access to the poor and homeless.
      Under this program, any person fetching a kilo of plastic waste to the garbage cafe will be assured of a
       full meal while those collecting at least 500 grams will benefit from a substantial breakfast.
      The city of Ambikapur ranked second cleanest city in India after Indore.
   20. Harsh Vardhan launches public awareness campaign to control of vector-borne
       diseases in Delhi
      Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan emphasised on the need of
       community efforts in the right direction to help in preventing Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) such as
       Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya.
      Vardhan launched the ‘Jagrukta Abhiyaan’, a three-day public awareness campaign on prevention and
       control of VBDs.
      A total of 286 ward-wise teams have been constituted with 20-25 members per team including officers
       of the Municipal Corporation along with the officers from Central Government and government of
       NCTD (National Capital Territory of Delhi).
   21. MHA launched ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)’ for 2018-2020
      Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy informed that Ministry of Home Affairs
       (MHA) has launched a scheme ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)’ for the period 2018-
       2020. It is aimed to combat cyber crime in India in a coordinated and effective manner.

   Key Points:

   ♦I4C has 7 components namely:

   •   National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit

   •   National Cybercrime Reporting Portal

   •   Platform for Joint Cybercrime Investigation Team

   •   National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem

   •   National Cybercrime Training Centre

   •   Cybercrime Ecosystem Management Unit

   •   National Cyber Research and Innovation Centre

   ♦Cybercrime Reporting Portal: It was launched to enable the citizens to report online content pertaining to
   Child Pornography (CP)/ Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or sexually explicit content such as
   Rape/Gang Rape (CP/RGR).

   22. Deeksharambh, a UGC Guide to Student Induction Programme released by
       HRD
      Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) has released a
       UGC(University Grants Commission) Guide to Student Induction Programme called “Deeksharambh”
       in New Delhi.

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   About Deeksharambh:

   ♦The guide: It helps new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment at higher education
   institutions & inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution. It also helps them build bonds with
   other students and faculty members and expose them to a sense of larger purpose and self-exploration.

   ♦Motive: It empowers aspirant learners to face competitive world with confidence, open new life leading to
   character building based on universal human values such as truth, righteous conduct, non-violence, etc.

   ♦Feature: It engages with the new students as soon as they come into the institution before regular classes
   start. It helps to learn about the institutional policies, processes, practices, culture, and values, and their
   mentor groups are formed.

   23. Amit Shah to head panel on Air India disinvestment
      The government reconstituted a group of ministers tasked with working out the modalities for sale of
       Air India.
      The GoM, called the Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism, will now be headed by home minister
       Amit Shah and comprise three other ministers. The earlier panel had five members. The other ministers
       in the panel will be finance minister NirmalaSitharaman, commerce and railway minister PiyushGoyal
       and civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
      In its first attempt, the Central Government had invited bids from investors in 2018 to buy out the
       government’s 76 percent stake in Air India. However, this failed as the investors did not put in their
       bids. Hence the committee has been reconstituted to start the bidding process from a new point.
   24. Health Ministry signs MoU with MoD, Railway and AYUSH ministries to
       eradicate TB by 2025
      Union Health Ministry signed anMoU with the Ministries of Defence, Railways and AYUSH to
       eliminate tuberculosis from India by 2025.
      The aim of the scheme is to provide quality healthcare at more than 400 polyclinics. So, now these
       polyclinics will identify TB cases if any and refer it for TB diagnosis
   25. HRD Ministry launches new UGC Scheme “Paramarsh” For Higher Education
      Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) launched a
       Scheme called “Paramarsh” of University Grants Commission (UGC) in New Delhi.

   About Paramarsh

   ♦Aim: This scheme aims at mentoring National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC)
   accreditation aspirant institutions to develop quality assurance in Higher Education.

   ♦Mentorship: Under the scheme, the prime Mentoring institutions will provide regular mentoring to
   colleges to help achieve high-quality standards. For mentoring they will get the financial assistance & also
   the option of appointing an expert, who can be paid a fellowship amount of Rs 31,000 per month.

   ♦Hub & Spoke model: The Scheme will be implemented through a “Hub & Spoke” model where mentor
   institution -called ‘Hub’ has the responsibility of guiding mentee institution (through secondary branches
   ‘Spoke’) for self-improvement.

   ♦Target: For mentoring, the scheme targets 1000 Higher Education Institutions.

   Benefits:

   ♦The scheme enhances the overall quality of the mentee institutions and enhances its profile as a result of
   improved quality of research, teaching and learning methodologies.

   ♦It will help in providing quality education to the 3.6 crore students who enrolled in Indian Higher
   Education system.

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   ♦The mentor institution will also get NAAC accreditation.

   ♦Feature: It will also facilitate the sharing of knowledge, information, and opportunities for research
   collaboration and faculty development in Mentee Institutions.

   26. 8th edition of Hand-in-Hand Military exercise 2019 between India, China to be
       held in Meghalaya in December 2019
      The 8th edition of Hand-in-Hand(HiH)Military exercise 2019 between India, China will be held on
       December 2019 at Umroi near Shillong in Meghalaya.

   Key points:

   ♦The exercise will focus on transnational counter-terror operations, the establishment of a joint command
   post, joint combat, and HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) missions.

   ♦The 7th edition was held at Chengdu, China in December 2018.

   ♦HiH: The exercise was started in 2007 in Kunming. The drills got hindered in the 6th edition 2016 in Pune
   because of a 73-day standoff in Doklam in Sikkim sector of the border. between Indian and Chinese forces.
   In 2018, the situation eased and the troops of the two sides interacted once again in China.

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                                                   State
   27. Meghalaya is the first state in India to ensure water conservation
      Meghalaya became the first state in India to ensure water conservation with its State Water Policy. The
       draft water policy was approved by the State Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Meghalaya Chief
       Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

   Key Points:

   ♦The policy aims to recognize water resources as a common pool resource, to provide safe and hygienic
   water for drinking, domestic, sanitation & livelihood development to all residents of the state, ensure the
   protection and conservation of catchment areas of all water sources to prevent degradation of the quantity
   and quality of water sources.

   ♦It will be implemented through active participation of the community by constituting a Water Sanitation
   Village Council at the village level.

   ♦The policy also suggests safety audit of state dams at periodic intervals by the Meghalaya State Dam
   Safety Organisation (SDSO) to identity the safety risks and mitigate the adverse impacts.

   About Meghalaya:

   ♦ Capital: Shillong

   ♦ Governor: Tathagata Roy

   ♦ National Parks: Balphakram National Park, Nokrek Ridge National Park

   ♦ Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary

   28. Chandrakant Kavlekar sworn in as the new Deputy CM of Goa
      After 10 Congress Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),
       in a cabinet reshuffle, the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant of BJP inducted 4 new ministers in the
       Goa Cabinet. Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers
       at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Goa.
      He appointed Chandrakant Kavlekar as the new Deputy Chief Minister of Goa. He was the leader of
       the opposition party.
      Michael Lobo, who resigned as the deputy speaker of Goa Assembly, Jennifer Monserratte, and Philip
       Neri Rodrigues were also sworn in as the Ministers.
   29. 1st international flight from Indore leaves for Dubai
      The first international flight from Devi AhilyaBaiHolkar International Airport of Indore in Madhya
       Pradesh left for Dubai
      Air India is operating 162-seater A-320 Neo aircraft on this route, which will fly directly to Dubai on
       every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday while the return flight from Dubai will be on Tuesday, Friday
       and Sunday.
   30. Kids will be given eggs at home: Chhattisgarh Govt.
      Chhattisgarh government announced that if parents have issues with serving eggs in mid-day meals at
       the school, authorities should arrange to serve eggs to the students whose families have no objection at
       home.
      School education department suggested this year that eggs or food item with equivalent nutrition value
       should be served to the students.
      However, students who don’t eat eggs will be provided Soya Milk, protein crunch, fortified pulses etc.
   31. Maharashtra Govt. raised aid for martyrs' kin to Rs. 1 crore

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      The Maharashtra Cabinet approved an increase in the financial assistance given to families of martyred
       and disabled soldiers hailing from the state.
      Kin of martyred soldiers will now get Rs. 1 crore as opposed to the current Rs.25 lakh assistance.
      The government will provide Rs. 60 lakh to soldiers left 51-100% disabled, instead of the current Rs.
       15 lakh.
   32. INS Sagardhwani Flagged Off for ‘Sagar Maitri’
      INS Sagardhwani has set sail from Kochi for a scientific venture called ‘Marine & Allied
       Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative (MAITRI)’.
      The ship’s mission which was conceptualized by DRDO, is in consonance with the Prime Minister’s
       vision of ‘Safety And Growth of All in the Region (SAGAR)’ to promote closer cooperation in socio-
       economic aspects, as well as greater scientific interaction.
      Prime objectives of the SAGAR MAITRI mission are data collection from the entire North Indian
       Ocean, focusing on the Andaman Sea and adjoining seas and establishing long term collaboration with
       eight IOR countries in the field of ‘Ocean Research and Development’.
   33. Google India’s ‘Internet Saathi’ programmeexpanded to Punjab, Odisha
      Google India’s ‘Internet Saathi’ programme aimed to empower rural women on how to use the Internet
       has now added two more states — Punjab and Odisha.
      With this, the programme has now reached 2.6 lakh villages in 20 states.
      Launched as a pilot project in 2015, along with Tata Trusts, ‘Internet Saathi’ programme focuses on
       educating women on how to use the Internet.
      In Punjab, the programme will cover around 5,000 villages. In Odisha, it will cover over 16,000
       villages.
   34. Madhya Pradesh got its First International Flight with Air India’s Service from
       Indore-Dubai
      Madhya Pradesh got its First International Flight with the launch of a flight service to Dubai from the
       Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, Indore with a national carrier Air India (Flight AI903)
       with 150 passengers.

   Key Points:

   ♦It was flagged off by Air India Chairman Ashwani Lohani along with local Parliamentarian Shankar
   Lalwani in the presence of former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

   ♦Air India is operating a 162-seater A320neo aircraft which will fly three times a week – Mondays,
   Wednesdays and Saturdays from Indore to Dubai.

   35. Tamil Nadu Now Has 35 Districts as CM Palaniswami Announces Two New
       Districts
      Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced that Tenkasi and Chengelpet districts would be
       carved out of Tirunelveli and Kanchipuram respectively, taking the total number of districts in the state
       to 35.
      In January, the government had announced Kallakurichi district, the 33rd in the state, by bifurcating
       regions from Villupuram district.
   36. Maharashtra raises aid for martyrs’ kin to ₹1 crore from ₹25 lakh
      The Maharashtra Cabinet approved a four-fold increase in the financial assistance given to families of
       martyred and disabled soldiers hailing from the state.
      Kin of martyred soldiers will now get ₹1 crore as opposed to the current ₹25 lakh. The government will
       provide ₹60 lakh to soldiers left 51-100% disabled, instead of the current ₹15 lakh.
   37. Haryana to set up Sports University near Sonipat

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      Haryana sports and youth affairs minister Anil Vij announced that the Sports School, Rai (Sonipat),
       will be upgraded to a Sports University, the State Cabinet approved the proposal. To be named the
       Sports University of Haryana, this will be the first full-fledged sports university in the state.
      The Sports University of Haryana will be the third sports university established by a state government
       in India after Swarnim Gujarat Sports University (Gandhinagar) and Tamil Nadu Physical Education
       and Sports University (Chennai). In 2018, the union cabinet had given the go ahead to set up the
       country’s first National Sports University in Imphal, Manipur.
   38. Ambikapur of Surguja district, Chhattisgarh gets India’s first ‘Garbage Cafe’
       for Ragpickers
      The municipal officials of Chhattisgarh have launched a unique garbage cafe scheme in Ambikapur of
       Surguja district which has become India’s first ‘Garbage Cafe’ for Ragpickers. The ragpickers and the
       homeless will collect plastic waste, and in return, the municipal corporation will offer them food. The
       fund allocated for this scheme is Rs. 5.5 lakh.
      Ragpickers who collect 1 kg of plastic waste will receive a full meal and those collecting 500g will be
       served breakfast. There is also a definitive plan to provide shelter to over 100 homeless people in the
       city.
      The plastic collected by the municipal corporation will be used to construct roads.
      Ambikapur city had received 5 star rating of ‘Garbage Free Cities’ and under Central government’s
       Swachh Survekshan 2019 rankings, it was declared India’s second cleanest city after Indore, Madhya
       Pradesh.
   39. Parliament passes Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to amend
       the Central Universities Act, 2009
      The Parliament of India passed Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2019, for the establishment of
       two Central Universities in Andhra Pradesh namely Central University and Tribal University. The bill
       seeks to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009.

   Key points:

   ♦Allocation: These two universities will be set up with the cost of Rs.1700 crore in four years in Andhra
   Pradesh. In the 1st phase, Rs.450 crore will be provided for Central University against the total outlay of Rs
   902.07 crore and Rs.420 crore for Central Tribal University against the outlay of Rs 836 crore.

   ♦Benefits: The establishment will increase access and quality of higher education in the state. It will also
   facilitate and promote avenues of higher education and research facilities for the people of the State.

   ♦Central University: For establishing a Central University by the name of the Central University of Andhra
   Pradesh in Janthaluru Village of Ananthapur was approved by the cabinet on May 2018.

   ♦Central Tribal University: It will be set up in Relli village in Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. It
   will be established under 13th Schedule to Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

   ♦Central Universities Act, 2009: It establishes universities for teaching and research in various states.

   40. e-challan system, e-payment gateway for Delhi Traffic Police
      New e-challan system and the e-payment gateway for the use of Delhi Traffic Police launched by
       Amulya Patnaik, Delhi Police Commissioner in New Delhi. With this launch, traffic violators can now
       pay fine from anywhere online.

   Key points:

   ♦The new e-challan system launched with 1,000 hand-held devices & are equipped with active GPS( Global
   Positioning System) where the challenging officer and the violator, both can be logged and tracked to a
   particular geo-location. Further, the camera violation app is also connected to the e-challan system, so that
   the data is updated regularly.

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   ♦The e-payment gateway will help the Delhi citizens with the flexibility to securely log in at their
   convenience and settle the pending violation notices with proof of payment.

   ♦The system is developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) with key inputs from Delhi Police.

   ♦The new system is likely to result in improved prosecution and better road safety standards in Delhi.

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                                            International
   41. 19th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting for the year 2019 held in
       London, UK
      The 19th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) for the year 2019 was
       held at the Commonwealth’s headquarters in Marlborough House, London, United Kingdom
       (UK) on July 10, 2019.
      External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S Jaishankar arrived in the UK to attend the 19th CFAMM
      At the meeting, Foreign Ministers adopted the 70th anniversary Affirmation.
   42. Foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University laid in Pakistan
      A university dedicated to Guru Nank Dev at his birth place after Pakistan Punjab’s chief minister
       Sardar Usman Buzdor laid the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University (BGNU) at Nankana
       Sahib.
      This university would help promote religious tourism in Pakistan and also portray country’s good
       image at international level.
      The decision to construct BGNU came after Sikhs living in Pakistan demanded university after name of
       founder of their religion Baba Guru Nanak at his birthplace.
   43. Kartarpur Corridor: India-Pak Agree for visa-free entry to 5,000 daily
      India and Pakistan to allow for a visa-free Kartarpur corridor to operate daily with a limit of 5,000
       pilgrims per day.
      Recently, an eight-member Indian delegation crossed the border to hold senior-level on the Kartarpur
       corridor talks with a Pakistani delegation for the second time after a gap of four months.
      The press release issued by India also noted that “progress was made in finalising the draft Agreement
       with regard to the modalities”.
   44. The city of Fuzhou (China) will host the 44th session of the World Heritage
       Committee in 2020
      In the event of 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee meeting 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan( June
       30 to July 10,2019), the UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
       announced that the Chinese city of Fuzhou will host the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee
       in 2020.
      Tian Xuejun, Chinese Vice Minister of Education was elected as chairman of the 44th session of the
       committee. The chairman of the 43rd session was Abulfas Garayev.
      During the meeting, the committee inscribed a total of 29 new sites on the World Heritage List (one in
       Africa, 2 in the Arab States, 10 in the Asia Pacific region, 15 in Europe and North America and one in
       Latin America).
      The pink city or Walled City of Jaipur of Rajasthan also featured in the prestigious list, which now
       features 1,121 sites in 167 countries.
      Addition &Removal: The sites of Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, Chile and Birthplace
       of Jesus: the Church of the Nativity and Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem, Palestine has been removed &
       The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, Mexico added to the List of World Heritage
       in Danger.
      Dilmun Burial Mounds (Bahrain), the ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso and the iconic
       site of Babylon (Iraq), the centre of the neo-Babylonian Empire and the site of the Hanging
       Gardens(Iraq), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were also added in the list.
   45. World War II code-breaker Alan Turing will be featured on UK's 50 pound note
      The Bank of England announced that Alan Turing, World War II codebreaker, will be on the new 50-
       pound polymer note.
      Bank of England Governor Mark Carney announced that Turing will appear on the new note by the end
       of 2021.

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      Turing was chosen following the Bank’s character selection process including advice from scientific
       experts.
   46. As per the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 Report, more
       than 820 million people suffer from hunger
      The report named State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 produced by the United
       Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural
       Development (IFAD), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the
       World Health Organisation (WHO) was released.
      It stated that in the year 2018, more than 820 million people suffered from hunger, food insecurity and
       malnutrition worldwide. It is the for the third year in a row the number has risen.
      At present, globally 1 in every 9 people suffer from hunger.
   47. Bill Gates overtaken by Arnault as world’s second richest person
      A report released by Bloomberg said that Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates is no longer the world's
       second-richest person as his wealth was surpassed by French luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault's
       wealth.
      Now, Gates is the world's third-richest person with USD 107 billion as compared to second-richest
       person Arnault's USD 108 billion wealth.
      Arnault derives most of his wealth from his holdings in Louis Vuitton owner LVMH.
   48. Palau signs International Solar Alliance Framework agreement
      Palau signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement here, lauding India for its
       efforts in promoting sustainable development projects through South-South cooperation.
      Palau became the 76th country to sign the ISA Framework Agreement, which till date has been ratified
       by a total of 54 of the 76 countries.
      Palau President Tommy Remengesau signed the ISA Framework Agreement during a special ceremony
       at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations. Remengesaurecognised the ISA as a key
       initiative for promoting sustainable energy.
      The partnership between India and Palau, Remengesau praised India as an important partner for South-
       South Cooperation and commended the positive role being played by the India-UN Development Fund
       in promoting sustainable development projects in partner countries.
      Palau will host the 2020 edition of the ‘Our Oceans conference’, which will focus on issues such as
       climate change, sustainable fisheries and marine pollution.
   49. Former Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrested by NAB
      Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan
       Abbasi in a multi-billion-rupee case related to the award of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import
       contract.
      He has served the post of Pakistan’s PM from August 2017 to May 2018. He was going to Lahore from
       Islamabad to hold a press conference but was arrested before reaching the venue.
      Former PM Nawaz Sharif is already serving seven years imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Mills case.
       PPP co-chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari is also in NAB's custody in fake bank accounts
       case.
   50. New ‘rhino bonds’ to allow investors to help with wildlife conservation
      Investors will able to buy bonds that aim to increase the population of the endangered black rhino, and
       reward investors only when the numbers of these animals rise.
      The $50 million Rhino Impact Bonds (RIB) will be the world’s first financial instrument working
       toward the conservation of a species at the risk of extinction.
      The Rhino Impact Bond (RIB) is the world’s first financial instrument for species conservation,
       transferring the risk of funding conservation from donors to impact investors by linking conservation
       performance to financial performance.
      The bond, expected to launch in the first quarter of 2020, looks to boost the black rhino population by
       10% globally.

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   51. Sri Lanka & IRCON International Ltd signed $91.26 mn agreement to upgrade
       rail track located between Colombo and Jaffna
      Government of Sri Lanka and IRCON (Indian Railway Construction Company) International Limited,
       under the Ministry of Railways, signed $91.26 million agreement for the up gradation of 130 km rail
       track located between Colombo and Jaffna in Tamil -majority northern province of Sri Lanka. It was
       signed by Sunil Kumar Choudhury, Chairman & Managing Director, Ircon International Limited, and
       L.P Jayampathy, Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka in the presence of
       Hon. Arjuna Ranatunga, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka.

   Key Points:

   ♦It will be upgraded under Indian concessional financing between Maho to Omanthai, Sri Lanka which is
   going to happen for the first time in 100 years.

   ♦It includes 12 crossing stations, 7 halt stations and 78 level crossings.

   ♦A new crossing station will be constructed between Medawachchiya to Vavuniya, Sri Lanka and 218
   culverts and 90 bridges will be repaired or reconstructed as required. It will double the speed potential of
   the railway track from the current 60 km to 120 km per hour.

   ♦Till now, India has committed Line of Credit (LoC) worth $1.3 billion for the development of the railway
   sector in Sri Lanka and has upgraded around 300 km of railway track and provided modern signaling and
   telecommunication system for around 330 km in Sri Lanka.

   52. WHO declares Congo Ebola outbreak a Health emergency of International
       Concern
      The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo
       (DRC) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)” in the emergency committee
       meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland. This is for the 5th time WHO has invoked an emergency
       provision.

   Key points:

   ♦Background: The DRC is in grip of its worst-ever Ebola outbreak, which is the 2nd deadliest Ebola
   epidemic in history, behind only the 2014 West Africa outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people.

   ♦Impact: This outbreak in Congo had begun in August 2018 and has mainly affected North Kivu and Ituri
   provinces in eastern DRC, an area wracked by conflict involving various armed groups.

   ♦Obstruction: Efforts to control the virus in DRC are hampered by violence from insurgent groups,
   including attacks on treatment centres.

   ♦WHO outlook: According to WHO figures, there have been over 2,400 confirmed and probable cases of
   Ebola, of which more than 1,600 people have died as of 7 July 2019.

   ♦About PHEIC: It is a rare designation only used for the gravest epidemics. It was declared in 2009H1N1
   (swine flu) pandemic, polio declaration in 2014, and the 2015–16 Zika virus epidemic.

   53. Indian Navy’s frontline warship INS Tarkash reaches Sweden
      The Indian Naval Ship(INS) Tarkash reached Sweden on a three-day visit, as a part of Indian Navy’s
       mission of building “bridges of friendship” and strengthening international cooperation with friendly
       countries.
      This marks the first visit of an Indian Naval Ship which made a port call at Karlskrona in Sweden
       shores after a gap of 15 years.

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   Key points:

   ♦Plan: Professional interactions, sports, and social engagements are planned with Sweden navy towards
   further enhancing maritime co-operation between the two forces.

   ♦Tarkash: The ship is a part of the Indian Navy’s western fleet equipped with a versatile range of weapons
   and sensors capable of addressing threats in all three dimensions.

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                                         Banking & Finance
   54. World Bank fines USD 5.8 billion on Pakistan
      A World Bank arbitration court has ordered the Pakistani government pay damages of USD 5.8 billion
       to Tethyan Copper, a joint venture between Chile’s Antofagasta Plc (ANTO.L) and Canada’s Barrick
       Gold (ABX.TO), the Chilean miner.
      Tethyan Copper discovered vast mineral wealth more than a decade ago in Reko Diq, at the foot of an
       extinct volcano near Pakistan’s frontier with Iran and Afghanistan.
      The company said it had invested more than USD 220 million by the time Pakistan’s government.
   55. HDFC Bank, CSC launch credit card for small traders, village entrepreneurs
      HDFC Bank launched a co-branded ”Small Business MoneyBack Credit Card” for small traders and
       village level entrepreneurs (VLEs).
      The credit card is specifically designed for CSC’s VLEs, and VLE-sourced customers, and will give
       users easy access to credit for their day-to-day business expenses.
      The card was launched by HDFC Bank MD AdityaPuri and CSC Chief Dinesh Kumar Tyagi.
      At present, as much as Rs 70,000 crore worth of business is transacted through the network of
       Common Services Centres (CSCs), which apart from providing a platform for essential government
       and public utility services also deliver a range of social welfare schemes, financial services, education
       and skill development courses, healthcare, agriculture services and digital literacy.
   56. RBI slaps a penalty on SBI &Union Bank for violating various norms
      The central Banking institution, RBI(Reserve Bank of India) has penalized Public Sector Banks in
       India, State Bank of India(SBI)with Rs.7 crore and Union Bank of India(UBI) with Rs.10-lakh for
       violating certain regulatory guidelines.

   Key points:

   ♦The Rs.7 crore penalty imposed on SBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2017
   reported non-compliance with the directions issued by the RBI on Income Recognition and Asset
   Classification (IRAC) norms, code of conduct for opening and operating current accounts and reporting of
   data on Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC), and fraud risk management and
   classification and reporting of frauds.

   ♦The RBI imposed the Rs 10 lakh fine on Union Bank of India for lapses in cybersecurity framework in
   2016, which resulted in an attempted to steal $171 million using the Swift(Society for Worldwide
   Interbank Financial Telecommunication) messaging systems of the bank.

   57. GPF rates reduced by 10 bps to 7.9% from 8%
      Ministry of Finance informed that the rates of the General Provident Fund (GPF) were reduced by 10
       basis points (bps) to 7.9% from 8% with effect from July 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019.

   Key Points:

   ♦It will be applicable to the General Provident Fund (Central Services), Contributory Provident Fund
   (India), All India Services Provident Fund, State Railway Provident Fund, General Provident Fund
   (Defence Services), Indian Ordnance Department Provident Fund, Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen’s
   Provident Fund, Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen’s Provident Fund, Defence Services Officers Provident
   Fund, and the Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.

   ♦All government employees who joined service on or before December 31, 2003 contribute to GPF. An
   officer/employee contributes 6% of his/her basic salary with an equal contribution from the Government.

   58. HDFC Bank GDRs Terminated, Delisted From Luxembourg Stock Exchange

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      India’s leading private sector bank, HDFC Bank(Housing Development Finance Corporation) has
       terminated and de-listed its 22 outstanding global depository receipts (GDRs) from the Luxembourg
       Stock Exchange citing low trading volume of GDRs.

   Key points:

   ♦The listing and admission to trading of the HDFC Bank GDRs on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange will
   be cancelled after July 15, 2019.

   ♦HDFC board has approved the proposal for termination of the GDR program and delisting of 22 GDRs,
   which are outstanding and listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in April 2019.

   59. HDFC & CSC launches co-branded ‘Small Business MoneyBack Credit Card’
       for small traders and village level entrepreneurs (VLEs)
      India’s largest private sector lender, HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation)and
       CSC(Common Service Centres) launched a co-branded ‘Small Business MoneyBack Credit Card’ for
       small traders and village level entrepreneurs (VLEs).

   Key points:

   ♦Benefit: The Money-Back Credit Card is specifically designed for CSC’s VLEs, and VLE-sourced
   customers will facilitate users hassle-free access to credit for their daily business expenses.

   ♦Access point: CSCs, which now traded around 70,000 crore rupees work as an access point for delivery
   of various services and It has 3.6 lakh centers across the country.

   ♦Services: In addition to providing a forum for government and public utility services by CSCs, it also
   deals with social welfare schemes, financial services, education and skill development courses, health,
   agricultural services, and digital literacy.

   ♦Background: In July 2018, HDFC and CSC had entered into an agreement, under which the bank will
   provide various products and services in the remote areas to VLEs enrolled with CSC.

   60. Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd and HDFC ERGO entered Bancassurance
       Corporate Agency Agreement
      India’s leading private sector general insurance company, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company
       entered into a corporate agency partnership with Kerala based Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited, a
       non-deposit taking systemically important NBFC(Non Banking Financial Company) to provide
       comprehensive general insurance for the customers of the NBFC through its network branches.

   Key points:

   ♦HDFC ERGO’s offering will now be available in Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd.’s widespread network of
   over 750 branches which spreads across 10 states and 2 union territories in India.

   ♦Through this partnership, HDFC ERGO will strengthen its penetration in southern India, leveraging the
   NBFC’s wide network and edge in priority lending sector.

   ♦Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd will also benefit with the advantage to offer their customers’
   comprehensive solutions for their financial requirements under a single roof.

   61. Andhra Bank unveils Al chatbotABHiin Telangana
      Andhra Bank launched its Artificial Intelligence (AI) interactive assistant – ABHi.
      Bank Managing Director and CEO, J Packirisamy has unveiled the Chatbot – ABHi at a function held
       at Bank’s Head office

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      The Bank’s AI powered chatbot-ABHi uses latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language
       Processing (NLP) algorithm to understand the customer query and fetch the relevant information from
       possible knowledgebase in a matter of milliseconds.
   62. ICICI Bank unveils digital platform InstaBIZ for MSMEs
      India’s largest private sector bank, ICICI(Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India)
       launched a new digital platform called ‘InstaBIZ’.It targeted at micro, small and medium enterprises
       (MSMEs) and self-employed customers enable them to undertake their business banking transactions
       digitally and instantly.

   Key points:

   ♦Going Digital: The platform offers over 115 products and services online through mobile phone or internet
   banking platform.

   ♦InstaBIZ: It is a new comprehensive digital platform for businesses enables MSMEs to experience the
   convenience of a range of services digitally includes instant overdraft (OD) facility of up to Rs.15 lakh,
   business loans, easy bulk collection and payment of funds through multiple digital modes, automatic bank
   reconciliation and also undertake all export-import transactions like inward and outward remittances
   among others.

   ♦Features: It is the first digital platform allows instant payment of GST (Goods and Service Tax) using the
   challan number in a single click payment. In addition, MSMEs can instantly apply for a Point-of-Sale(Pos)
   machine and marine insurance policy.

   ♦Others: MSMEs who are not customers of the bank can also get the instant sanction of an OD facility up to
   Rs 10 lakh by uploading their bank statements and KYC(Know Your Customer) details via downloaded
   InstaBIZ.

   63. IRDAI tweaks norms for life insurance products
      The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has tweaked some of the key
       norms pertaining to life insurance products.
      As per the Gazette notification, issued by the regulatory, the minimum death benefit in the non-linked
       policy has been decreased from 10 times to seven times. In the non-linked policy, policyholders will
       get a fixed amount if the policy is surrendered after two years.
      The revival period for this policy has been increased from two years to five years.
      In the Unit-Linked Policies, if it has a surrender value during the first five years, it will become payable
       only after the completion of the lock-in period. After the lock-in period, the surrender value shall be at
       least equal to the fund value as on the date of surrender.
      With regards to pension products, policyholders can withdraw 25 per cent of the insured during an
       emergency, including a serious illness, marriage and the education of their children.
   64. ADB lowers India’s FY2020 GDP growth forecast to 7%
      According to a recent Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) report titled ‘Asian Development Outlook
       2019, India’s GDP(gross domestic product) growth expected to grow by 7% in 2019 (FY-Fiscal Year
       2020) and 7.2% in 2020 (FY21). It revised downwards its outlook for FY20 due to unexpected weak
       FY2018 outturn.

   Key points:

   ♦Reason: Growth is expected to increase again to 7.2% in FY21, helped by recent reforms to improve the
   business climate, strengthen banks and relieve agrarian distress.

   ♦Quarter basis: In the 4th quarter of the fiscal year 2018-19, GDP growth in India declined to 5.8% year-
   on-year(Y-O-Y), down more than expected from 6.6% and it is the lowest in five years.

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