VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 1^st, 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 1^st, 2019

1.      World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is being observed from 1st to 7th August 2019.

a.       World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

b.       It was first celebrated in 1992 by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).

c.       WBW is being jointly organized by WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action), WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund).

d.       WBW came up with the goal to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life which yields tremendous health benefits, providing critical nutrients, protection from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and fostering growth and development for the first time in 1991.

e.       Theme of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2019 : “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding.”

2.      India and United Kingdom launched 2-year joint initiative- Innovating for Clean Air (IfCA) in Bengaluru (Karnataka). 

a.       This initiative is aimed at providing unique air quality measurement system by integrating satellite and sensor data and support India’s transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs).

3.      External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a 2-day visit to Thailand to attend key ministerial meetings of the regional forums of ASEAN, Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and East Asia Summit.

a.       He met his Thai and New Zealand counterparts in Bangkok today's morning and held discussions on bilateral issues.

b.       Tomorrow, the Minister will take part in the 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

c.       The 26th ASEAN Regional Forum will take place tomorrow afternoon.

4.      The Cabinet today approved increasing the number of Supreme Court judges from 30 to 33, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI). 

a.       Once the bill is passed in the Parliament, the strength of judges will increase to 34, including the CJI.

5.      The parliament today passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019.

a.       With this bill, driving without licence will be punishable with ₹5,000 as against ₹500 earlier.

b.       A fine of ₹10,000 will be imposed for drunken driving, while speeding will be punishable with ₹5,000. 

c.       Further, those not providing way for emergency vehicles will be fined ₹10,000.

6.      Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced that electricity would be free for those who consume less than 200 units. 

7.      President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 passed by the Parliament, making it a law. 

a.       The law criminalises instant triple talaq and seeks up to three years in jail for guilty. 

8.      Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill 2019 with Lok Sabha approving it today.

a.       The Bill is aimed at providing greater clarity on permissibility of corporate restructuring schemes, clarity on rights and duties of authorised representatives of voters. 

9.      President also given his assent to the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019.  

a.       The Bill seeks to amend the Companies Act, 2013. 

b.       It aims to tighten Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR compliance, transfer certain responsibilities to National Company Law Tribunal and recategorise certain offences as civil offences.

10. President also gave his assent to the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill 2019. 

a.       The bill seeks to provide for a comprehensive mechanism to ban the unregulated deposit schemes other than deposits taken in the ordinary course of businesses and to protect the interest of depositors. 

b.       It will work as a crackdown on Ponzi schemes and will help protect the interests of poor people and their hard-earned money. Depositors have been given a top priority in the bill.

11. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today announced that the Lower House will become paperless from the next session. 

a.       He said the move will save crores of rupees to the exchequer.

12. In a major boost to national food security, the government, today launched the One Nation-One Ration Card scheme on a pilot basis in 4 states namely Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra and Gujarat from today.

a.       Families who have food security cards can buy subsidized rice and wheat from any ration shop in these states. 

b.       Their ration cards should be linked with Aadhar Number to avail this service.

c.       The Centre is intended to extend the programme to all states by August next year so that the portability of the food security card implemented. 

13. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved setting up of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at Moscow, Russia. 

a.       It is mandated to collaborate with Space agencies and industries in Russia and neighbouring countries for mutually synergetic outcomes.

b.       It will enable effective technical coordination for timely interventions on diversified matters with Russia and neighbouring countries for realization of the programmatic targets of ISRO.

c.       Note: This will be third such Technical Liaison Unit. Department of Space (Dos) already has instituted technical Liaison Units, namely ISRO Technical Liaison Units (ITLU) at Washington (Untied States) and Paris (France) with prime objective to liaise with various Government and space agencies in US and Europe, respectively

14. A 3-member mediation panel in the Ayodhya land dispute case submitted its report in a sealed cover to Supreme Court today. 

a.       The panel comprises former apex court judge Kalifulla, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu. 

b.       The outcome of the mediation process will be considered by a 5-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI tomorrow.

15. The Postal Department has announced that it has decided to convert the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) into a Small Finance Bank (SFB), enabling it to offer small loans to customers.

a.       Besides, the department also looks to open one crore accounts for IPPB in 100 days.

16. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms for corporates, non-banking lenders by relaxing end-use restrictions with regard to working capital, general corporate purpose and repayment of rupee loans. 

a.       This decision was taken after receiving feedback from stakeholders for easing liquidity in the domestic market.

17. To encourage the spirit of innovation at the community level, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today launched Atal Community Innovation Centre in New Delhi. 

a.       This initiative aims to encourage the spirit of innovation through solution-driven design thinking to serve society.

18. RN Ravi was sworn in as the new Governor of Nagaland at a function at Raj Bhawan in Kohima.

a.       Acting Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Arup Kumar Goswami, administered him the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, state ministers and other officers. 

19. 1984-batch Indian Police Service officer of Gujarat cadre Rakesh Asthana has been given the additional charge of Narcotics Control Bureau for 6 months.