July 01 - 07, 2019

Weekly GK Capsule 1st July to 7th July 2019
Economy…………............................................................09
Finance & Banking...........................................................13
Social Issues…………......................................................19
International News...........................................................20
National News...................................................................23
Environment & Ecology…...............................................25
Defence & Security….………………………………………26
Science & Technology……………………………………..27
Facts of the Week ............................................................32
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Economy
Chief minister inaugurates two units of Chhabra Power Plant
In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated 5th and 6th Unit of Chabra Super
Critical Thermal Power Station. This is the state’s First project based on Super Critical
Thermal Power Technology.
Chhabra Thermal Power Plant is one of Rajasthan's coal fired power plants. It is located
at Chowki Motipura (Village) of tehsil Chhabra in Rajasthan's Baran district.
In Chhabra, 4 Units are already producing power with a capacity of 250 MW each.
The 5th and 6th Unit of Chabra Super Critical Thermal Power Station are the state’s First
project based on Super Critical Thermal Power Technology.
2nd anniversary of Goods & Services Tax to be celebrated on 1st July 2019
To mark two years of GST implementation on 1st July 2019, the Finance Ministry unveiled
a new return filing mechanism besides a host of other reforms to simplify the indirect tax
system.
Further reforms in current fiscal (2019-20):
New return system:
Introduction of New Return System on trial basis from 01.07.2019 and on mandatory basis
from 01.10.2019.
SAHAJ & SUGAM Returns for small taxpayers are proposed.
Rationalisation of Cash Ledger in such a manner that earlier 20 heads are merged into 5
major heads. There is only one Cash Ledger for Tax , interest, penalty, fee & others .
The Central or State Government which sanctions refund disburses all four major heads
of refunds namely CGST, SGST, IGST and Cess.
Threshold Limit of Rs 40 Lacs is offered of suppliers of goods as per the choice of States.
Composition Scheme for small service providers up to annual turnover of Rs 50 lacs
with a tax rate of 6%
Electronic invoicing system in a phase-wise manner for B2B transactions is proposed to
be introduced.
GST Appellate Tribunals are being established at various State Headquarters and area
benches also.
The pros and cons if inheritance tax makes a comeback in Budget 2019
The Union government may re-introduce Inheritance Tax (Estate Duty) in the budget-2019.
Inheritance tax is concerned with the taxation of value of property passing on death.
India had Estate Duty from 1953 till it was abolished in 1985.
The objective behind the reintroduction of an inheritance tax:

 To address the problem of economic inequality. According to a survey conducted by
Oxfam, 58 percent of India’s total wealth is concentrated within one percent of its
population – higher than the global average of about 50 percent.
 To generate higher revenue, leading to higher public spending by the government.
It was introduced in 1953 under the Estate Duty Act, 1953 as an attempt to reduce
economic disparity.
High Powered Committee of Chief Ministers constituted for ‘Transformation for

Indian Agriculture’
The Prime Minister of India has set up a High Powered Committee of Chief Ministers for
‘Transformation of Indian Agriculture’.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis is the Convenor of the committee.
CMs of Karnataka, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, UP, MP & Union Minister of
Agriculture, RD & Panchayati Raj to be the Members.
NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand to be the Member Secretary
The Committee will be serviced by NITI Aayog.
The committee will submit its report within two months of the date of notification of the
Committee.
The terms of Reference (ToR) of the Committee:
 To discuss measures for transformation of agriculture and raising farmers’ income.

 To suggest modalities for adoption and time bound implementation of agriculture
sector reforms by States/UTs.
 To suggest changes in the Essential Commodity Act (ECA), 1955 to attract private
investments in agricultural marketing and infrastructure.
 To suggest mechanism for linking of market reforms with e-NAM, GRAM and other
relevant Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Govt extends Kisan Credit card facility to fishermen, animal husbandry farmers
for working capital needs
Recently the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced the
extension of the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisheries and animal husbandry
farmers to help them meet their working capital needs.
This will help fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to meet their short term credit
requirements of rearing of animals, poultry birds, fish, shrimp, other aquatic organisms
and capture of fish.
Fish, Poultry & Dairy Farmers (individual & groups/partners/sharecroppers/tenant
farmers), Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups and Woman group are eligible under
extended KCC scheme.
Under KCC facility, Interest subvention is available for animal husbandry and fisheries
farmers @ 2% per annum at the time of disbursal of loan and additional interest subvention
@ 3 % per annum in case of prompt repayment as Prompt Repayment Incentive (repayment
of the loan within a period of one year from the date of advance).

About Kisan Credit Card
The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was introduced in 1998 for providing adequate and
timely credit support from the banking system under a single window with flexible and
simplified procedure to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs like purchase of
agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and draw cash for their
production needs.
The scheme was further extended for the investment credit requirement of farmers viz.
allied and non-farm activities in the year 2004.
KCC covers Post-harvest expenses; Produce marketing loan; Consumption
requirements of farmer household; Working capital for maintenance of farm assets and
activities allied to agriculture; Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities.
The Kisan Credit Card Scheme is implemented by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small
Finance Banks and Cooperatives.
Govt to enhance import limit on Tur Dal

Minister for Consumer Affairs informed Lok Sabha that Government has decided to
enhance the import limit on Tur Dal from two 2 metric tonne to 4 lakh metric tonne for the
year 2019 - 20.
Recent Decisions wrt Tur Dal:
Minister for Consumer Affairs informed Lok Sabha that Government has decided to
enhance the import limit on Tur Dal from two 2 Lakh metric tonne to 4 lakh metric tonne
for the year 2019 - 20.
Government has also decided to release 2 lakh metric tonne of Tur Dal, available in the
buffer stock of pulses to States and Union Territories under the Price Stabilization Fund.
Centre had signed an MoU with Mozambique, in July 2016 to improve domestic availability
and facilitate price stability of Tur and other pulses.
The country's pulses output is estimated to be down at 232 lakh tonne in the 2018-19
crop year (July-June) from 254.2 lakh tonne in the previous year.
Barring tur dal, the production of chana, moong, masoor and urad remained higher. Tur
dal production is estimated to be lower at 35 lakh tonnes in 2018-19 crop year from 42.9 lakh
tonne in the previous year.
Govt hikes Minimum Support Price of Kharif crops for 2019-20 season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the increase in the
Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all kharif crops for 2019-20 Season.
The MSP of paddy has been increased by 65 rupees per quintal, Jowar by 120 rupees,
Ragi by 253 rupees, Tur by 125 rupees, Moong by 75 rupees, Urad pulses by 100 rupees,
Soyabean by 311 rupees, sunflower by 262 rupees and sesamum by 236 rupees.
The highest percentage return to farmers over their cost of production is for Bajra (85%)
followed by urad (64%) and tur (60%).

The increase in MSP for Kharif Crops for 2019-20 season is in line with the principle of
fixing the MSPs at a level of at least 1.5 times of the all India weighted average Cost of
production, which was announced in the last budget 2018-19.
The MSP mechanism is implemented across the country as nearly 86% farmers are in small
and marginal category (Agriculture Census 2015-16), the system ensures equity. It also
helps in stabilising prices in the market and thus services the consumers as well.
SCR commissions longest electrified railway tunnel
South Central Railway (SCR) commissioned the longest electrified tunnel in Indian
Railways.
The electrified tunnel measuring 6.6 kilometres is situated between Cherlopalli and
Rapuru stations.
It is part of the 113-km new railway line completed recently between Obulavaripalli–
Venkatachalam – Krishnapatnam Port.
The electrified tunnel is constructed on New Australian Tunnelling Method. The new line
would facilitate direct and viable connectivity between South Coast and West Coast
Railway and improve freight revenue of the zone.
Key Highlights of Economic Survey 2018-19

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the
Economic Survey 2018-19 in the Parliament.
Key Highlights of Economic Survey 2018-19:
 Sustained real GDP growth rate of 8% needed for a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25.
 Survey departs from traditional Anglo-Saxon thinking by viewing the economy as
being either in a virtuous or a vicious cycle, and thus never in equilibrium.
 Using insights from behavioural economics to create an aspirational agenda for social
change:
o From ‘Beti Baco Beti Padhao’ to ‘BADLAV’ (Beti Aapki Dhan Lakshmi Aur Vijay
Lakshmi).
o From ‘Swachh Bharat’ to ‘Sundar Bharat’.
o From ‘Give it up” for the LPG subsidy to ‘Think about the Subsidy’.
o From ‘Tax evasion’ to ‘Tax compliance’.
 Dwarfs (firms with less than 100 workers) despite being more than 10 years old,
account for more than 50% of all organized firms in manufacturing by number.
 As data of societal interest is generated by the people, data can be created as a public
good within the legal framework of data privacy.
 India now stands at 4th in wind power, 5th in solar power and 5th in renewable power
installed capacity.
State of the Economy in 2018-19: A Macro View
 India still the fastest growing major economy in 2018-19.

 Growth of GDP moderated to 6.8 % in 2018-19 from 7.2 % in 2017-18.
 Inflation contained at 3.4 % in 2018-19.
 Non-Performing Assets as %age of Gross Advances reduced to 10.1 % at end
December 2018 from 11.5 % at end March 2018.
 Current account deficit manageable at 2.1 % of GDP.
 Fiscal deficit of Central Government declined from 3.5 % of GDP in 2017-18 to 3.4 %
in 2018-19.
 India’s SDG Index Score ranges between 42 and 69 for States and between 57 and 68
for UTs:
 Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are the front runners with a score of 69 amongst
states.
 Chandigarh and Puducherry are the front runners with a score of 68 and 65 respectively
among the UTs.
 India’s External Debt was US$ 521.1 billion at end-December 2018, 1.6 % lower than
its level at end-March 2018.
US drags India to WTO for imposing additional tariffs on 28 goods
The United States has dragged India to the World Trade Organisation, requesting dispute
consultations on the 'retaliatory duties' imposed by India on 28 US goods in June, 2019.
India has imposed the duties as a tit-for-tat move against the US decision to impose
unilateral additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from India.
The US claims that the additional duties are inconsistent with the provisions of the
WTO's General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
India's argument in support of its duties is that retaliation is permitted under the WTO's
Agreement on Safeguards.
To this, the US maintains that its tariffs are not a safeguard measure but were taken
under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on grounds of national security.
If the dispute consultations between the two countries fail to resolve the matter then the US
can ask the WTO to set up a panel to decide on the matter.
This mini-tariff war between the US and India sparked from USA's decision to withdraw GSP
status from India and other economic issues.
Also, it is not the first time the USA and India had their trade issues settled at WTO.
Recently India has won a major trade dispute against the US at the World Trade Organization
(WTO) regarding domestic content requirements and subsidies.
Transport sector gets enhanced Budget Allocation of Rs 83,000 crore

Transport sector has been allocated enhanced outlay of Rs 83,000 crore in the Union
Budget. Budgetary allocation for the Ministry last year was Rs 78,626 crore.
Key highlights of budget Speech:
Comprehensive restructuring of National Highway Programme will be carried out to ensure
that the National Highway Grid of desirable length and capacity is created using financeable
model.
After completing the Phase-1 of Bharatmala, states will be helped to develop State road
networks in the Phase-2 of Bharatmala.
The Central Road and Infrastructure Cess on petrol and diesel has been raised by Re 1
per litre to give a boost to the development of Infrastructure.

Under Phase-II of the FAME Scheme, only advanced battery and registered e-vehicles will
be incentivized. Phase II of FAME has an outlay of Rs10,000 crore for a period of 3 years,
and has commenced from 1st April, 2019.
The Government has already moved GST council to lower the GST rate on electric
vehicles from 12% to 5%.
To make electric vehicles affordable to consumers, the government will provide additional
income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh on the interest paid on loans taken to purchase electric
vehicles.
To further incentivise e-mobility, customs duty is being exempted on certain parts of
electric vehicles.
Under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, two multi-modal terminals at Sahibganj and Haldia
and a navigational lock and Farrakka would be completed this year.
Allocation for agriculture, farmers' welfare increased by over 78%

The government proposed a Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to
establish a robust fisheries management framework and check gaps in the value chain.
Budget highlights wrt Agriculture:
The government has proposed to increase budget allocation for the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare by over 78 % to 1.39 lakh crore rupees for the current
fiscal. Out of the total amount, 75,000 crore rupees will be for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan
Samman Nidhi.
Besides PM-KISAN, the government has proposed to increase the allocation for the
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to 14,000 crore rupees for the current fiscal.
To ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) in times of steep fall in rates, the government has
proposed to increase the allocation to 3,000 crore rupees for intervening in the market
in such times under the Market Intervention Scheme and Price Support Scheme (MIS-
PSS).
To harness the potential in the fishery sector, the government proposed a Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to establish a robust fisheries management framework
and check gaps in the value chain.
Government also proposed setting up of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations
(FPOs) to ensure economies of scale for farmers over the next five years.
10-POINT VISION FOR THE DECADE
Union Minister of Finance while presenting the Union Budget 2019-20 in Parliament said that
Indian economy will become a 3 trillion dollar economy in the current year and is on the
path of achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2024-25.
10-point Vision for the decade:
 Citing its genesis in the Interim Budget 2019-20 presented in February 2019, the Finance
Minister flagged ten points of the Government’s ‘Vision for the Decade’:
 Building physical and social infrastructure;
 Digital India reaching every sector of the economy;
 Pollution free India with green Mother Earth and Blue Skies;
 Make in India with particular emphasis on MSMEs, Start-ups, Defence manufacturing,
automobiles, electronics, fabs and batteries, and medical devices;
 Water, water management, clean Rivers;
 Blue Economy;
 Space programmes. Gaganyan, Chandrayan and Satellite programmes;
 Self-sufficiency and export of food-grains, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables;
 Healthy society – Ayushman Bharat, well-nourished women & children. Safety of citizens;
 Team India with Jan Bhagidari. Minimum Government Maximum Governance.
Key Highlights of Union Budget 2019-20

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presented the
Union Budget 2019-20 before the Parliament. The key highlights of Union Budget 2019 are
as follows.
Union Budget proposes creation of a Social Stock Exchange- under the regulatory ambit
of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for listing social enterprises and
voluntary organizations.
A Credit Guarantee Enhancement Corporation for which regulations have been notified by
the RBI, will be set up in 2019-20.
To deepen the Corporate tri-party repo market in Corporate Debt securities, Government
will work with regulators RBI/SEBI to enable stock exchanges to allow AA rated bonds as
collaterals.
The Stand Up India Scheme has been extended upto the year 2025. Standup India was
launched by Government of India on 5 April 2016 to support entrepreneurship among
women and SC & ST communities.
Expert Committee to be set up to recommend the structure and required flow of funds
through development finance institutions
For efficient and conducive regulation of the housing sector, it is proposed to return the
regulation authority over the Housing Finance Sector from NHB to RBI.
Government is setting an enhanced target of Rs 1,05,000 crore of disinvestment receipts
for the financial year 2019-20.
Public Sector Banks are to be further provided Rs 70,000 crore capital to boost credit for a
strong impetus to the economy.
The Union Minster of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman said that the
Government proposes to start a channel within the DD bouquet of channels exclusively
for start-ups.
Estimated savings/benefits of Rs. 59,599 crore upto March, 2019 under 'PAHAL'
scheme
Estimated savings/benefits of Rs. 59,599 crore upto March, 2019 under ‘PAHAL’ scheme.
Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh (PaHaL) scheme:
Aims to reduce diversion and eliminate duplicate or bogus LPG connections.

Under PaHaL, LPG cylinders are sold at market rates and entitled consumers get the
subsidy directly into their bank accounts.

Finance & banking
RBI allows ARCs to buy financial assets from peers
The Reserve Bank of India has allowed Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) to buy
financial assets from other ARCs. The transactions must be settled in cash between the 2
entities.
In view of amendment to the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and
Enforcement of Securities Interest Act, 2002, it has been decided to permit ARCs to acquire
financial assets from other ARCs.
Money in Swiss banks: India ranked 74

According to analysis released by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), India has moved down
one place to 74th rank in terms of money parked by its citizens and enterprises with
Swiss banks.
Key findings of the data:
The total money held in Swiss banks by foreign clients from across the world fell by about 4
% to CHF 1.4 trillion (about Rs 99 lakh crore) in 2018.
Among the top-ranked jurisdictions, the UK is followed by the US, West Indies, France and
Hong Kong in the top five. These countries alone account for more than 50 % of the
aggregate foreign funds parked with the Swiss banks.
India has moved down one place to 74th rank in terms of money parked by its citizens and
enterprises with Swiss banks at the end of 2018. The funds officially held by Indians with
banks in Switzerland now accounts for only 0.07 % of the total funds kept by all foreign
clients.
Among the five-nation BRICS block of emerging economies, India is ranked the lowest
while Russia is ranked the highest at 20th place, followed by China at 22nd, South Africa
at 60th and Brazil at 65th place.
Several of India’s neighbouring nations are ranked lower, with Pakistan ranking 82nd,
Bangladesh 89th, Nepal 109th, Sri Lanka 141st, Myanmar 187th and Bhutan 193rd.
Centre ratifies convention to curb company profit shifting

Recently India has ratified the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related
Measures (MLI) to prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).
The MLI is aimed to prevent firms from moving profit out of country.
It ensures that profits are taxed where substantive economic activities generating the
profits are carried out.
Out of 93 tax treaties notified by India, 22 countries have already ratified the MLI so far and
the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with these countries will be modified
by MLI.
For the remaining countries with tax treaties with India, the MLI will come into force when
they ratify it.
The MLI will come into force for India from October 1, 2019.

The Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures (MLI)
 The multilateral convention is an outcome of the OECD/G20 project to tackle base

erosion and profit shifting.
 This project was designed to work on anti-evasion measures that could curb tax
planning strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to artificially shift
profits to low or no-tax locations.
 Such geographies have little economic activity, resulting in little or no overall corporate tax
being paid.
 The MLI will be applied alongside existing tax treaties, modifying their application in
order to implement the BEPS measures.
 It will lead to amendments to double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAA) with the
countries signatories to the convention to plug revenue leakages.
High trading costs impact liquidity of Indian equities: study

As per the latest study by the World Bank, the turnover ratio of the Indian stock market
has fallen significantly by 60% in the last 10 years.
The turnover ratio of the Indian stock market had fallen from 143 in 2008 to 58 in 2018 i.e. a
fall of nearly 60% between 2008 and 2018.
The fall had been the highest among most leading markets of the world, barring the U.S.
and the European Union.
The turnover ratio of China dipped less than 6% in the last 10 years, while Brazil and
Korea registered a dip of 12.85% and 31.12%, respectively. Japan and Hong Kong saw the
ratio dip between 40-50% between 2008 and 2018.
The turnover ratio is a universally accepted parameter to gauge trading volumes.
It is the total value of the shares traded in a specific period divided by the average
market capitalisation of that period.
SBI, NIIF in pact for funding infrastructure projects

The State Bank of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with National
Investment and Infrastructure Fund to boost availability of capital for infrastructure projects.
The scope of the agreement includes equity investments, project funding, bond
financing, renewable energy support and take-out finance for operating assets.
RBI sets up panel to review CICs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a working group to review the regulatory and
supervisory framework for core investment companies (CIC).
The group will examine the current regulatory framework for core investment companies
(CICs) in terms of adequacy, efficacy and effectiveness and suggest changes.
The group will be headed by Tapan Ray, non-executive chairman, Central Bank of India
and former Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
In 2010, the RBI had introduced a separate framework for the regulation of systemically
important Core Investment Companies (CICs) recognising the difference in the business
model of a holding company relative to other non-banking financial companies.

However, in light of recent developments, there is a need to strengthen the corporate
governance framework of CICs. Troubled financial conglomerate Infrastructure Leasing and
Financial Services (IL&FS) is registered with the RBI as a CIC.
Trade infrastructure for export scheme

The Department of Commerce, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has
approved financial assistance for three trade promotion centres under the TIES.
The following are the approved projects with their implementing agencies:
 Establishment of Main Exhibition Building (Phase-II) at Trade cum Permanent

Exhibition Centre at Imphal, Manipur by Manipur Industrial Development Corporation
(MANIDCO).
 Expansion of Chennai Trade Centre by Tamil Nadu Trade Promotion Organisation
 Establishment of Trade Promotion Centre at Minto Hall, Bhopal by M.P. State Tourism
Development Corporation
Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Trade Infrastructure for Export
Scheme (TIES) in March, 2017.
After delinking of the Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and
Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme in 2015, the State Governments had been consistently
requesting the support of the Centre in creation of export infrastructure.
First investors’ summit to be held in J&K

The Government of J&K is organising the first ever investment summit in September-
October 2019 in Jammu and Srinagar.
It is aimed to attract investment and counter perceptions about the State.
There is possibility of participation from at least eight countries besides the rest of India.
The tourism, horticulture and handicrafts are the strong sectors where good investment
is expected.
The government is also focusing on power sector and manufacturing.
J&K ranks third in the number of people in government jobs due to a lack of other avenues.
ICICI & IndoStar Capital partner to finance commercial vehicles

ICICI Bank has tied up with NBFC IndoStar Capital for vehicle financing for small and
medium fleet owners to buy new as well as old commercial vehicles.
Under this partnership, IndoStar will originate and service the customers through the entire
loan life cycle including sourcing, documentation, collection and loan servicing.
Union Budget proposes permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for
insurance intermediaries
Union Budget has proposed permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for insurance
intermediaries.
Key highlights of Budget speech:

It is being contemplated to permit 100% FDI for insurance intermediaries.
Local sourcing norms will be eased for FDI in Single Brand Retail sector.
It is proposed to merge the NRI-Portfolio Investment Scheme Route with Foreign Portfolio
Investment Route with a view to provide NRIs with seamless access to Indian equities.
The Government will examine suggestions of further opening up of FDI in aviation, media
(animation, AVGC) and insurance sectors in consultation with all stakeholders.
FPIs will be permitted to subscribe to listed debt securities issued by ReITs and InvITs.
Union Budget 2019-20 propose to increase the statutory limit for FPI investment in a
company from 24% to sectoral foreign investment limit with option given to the concerned
corporates to limit it to a lower threshold, the Minister added.
It is proposed to rationalize the existing Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for FPIs to
make it more investor friendly without compromising the integrity of cross-border capital
flows.
Why govt is considering enhancing RBI powers

The government is actively considering a proposal from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
seeking more powers to improve its regulatory and supervisory mechanism for Non-
Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
Recent defaults and delays in loan repayments by a section of NBFCs have shaken the
confidence in the financial markets, leading to fears that potential solvency risks at certain
companies can be contagious.
Liquidity for NBFCs with default ratings has completely dried up, creating broader
challenges for policymakers.
In the light of recent developments, there is a case for having a fresh look at their regulation
and supervision. Need of the hour is to have an optimal level of regulation and
supervision so that the NBFC sector is financially resilient and robust.
More powers will enable RBI to close regulatory gaps between banks (which are tightly
regulated) and NBFCs. The RBI has already reduced the periodicity of the NBFC supervision
to 12 months from 18 months earlier.

Social Issues
27% of children with disabilities have never been to school: UNESCO
According to a report by UNESCO and the TISS, 27% of children with disabilities have
never been to school in India.
Name of the report: “State of the Education Report for India-2019: Children with
Disabilities."
Key findings of the report:
Citing 2011 census data, the report showed that there are more than 78 lakh children with
disabilities in the country between 5-19 years.
27% of children with disabilities between ages 5 and 19 in India have never attended
any educational institution, while around 75% of five-year-olds with disabilities are not in
school.
There are fewer girls with disabilities in school than boys.
Differences remain among various types of disabilities. Only 20% of children with visual
and hearing impairments had never been in school. However, among children with multiple
disabilities or mental illness, that figure rose to more than 50%.
Recommendations made: Amend the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 to make it align
with the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Bill

Parliament passed the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre)
Bill, 2019. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill after it was passed in Lok Sabha on 1st July,
2019.
The Bill replaces the “The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’
Cadre) Ordinance, 2019”.
The unit for reservation of posts in direct recruitment in teachers’ cadre will be the
‘University/Educational Institution’ and not the Department. Thus, it restores earlier
reservation system based on 200-point roster.
Benefits of this decision:
 It allows up of more than 7000 existing vacancies in Central Educational Institutions

and pave the way for filling up 3 lakh vacancies in the Government (Central and
State) Educational institutions by direct recruitment in Teacher’s Cadre.
 It ensures full representation of the SCs/STs, the socially and Educationally Backward
Classes and Economically Weaker Sections in direct recruitment in teachers’ cadres, thus
ensuring compliance of the Constitutional Provisions of Articles 14, 16 and 21.
 The Bill will now be sent for President’s assent.
WHO launches its first guidelines on self-care interventions for health

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched its first guidelines on self-care
interventions for health.

These were launched in response to an estimate that by 2035 the world will face a shortage
of nearly 13 million healthcare workers.
It is the “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent
disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of
a health-care provider”.
Key highlights of guidelines:
In its first volume, the guidelines focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Some of the interventions include self-sampling for HPV and sexually transmitted infections,
self-injectable contraceptives, home-based ovulation predictor kits, HIV self-testing and self-
management of medical abortion.
The guidelines will be expanded to include other self-care interventions, including for
prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases.
Campaign to eradicate AES to be launched in UP today

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the DASTAK campaign to eradicate
deadly Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) disease.
The campaign will run from 1st to 31st July.
Under this state-wide campaign, teams will go door to door in every village of the 75
districts of the state to create awareness about the communicable diseases as well as Acute
Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE).
Similar campaign launched last year also has improved the health conditions and the
government claimed that fatality rate due to AES and JE dripped.
One nation one ration card’ scheme from July 1, 2020

Recently the Food Minister announced One Nation One Ration Card Scheme, which all
states needs to implement by July 2020.
One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme seeks to provide portability of food security benefits
all across the nation.
Features
 The poor migrant workers will be able to buy subsidised rice and wheat from any ration
shop in the country but for that their ration cards must be linked to Aadhaar.
 Migrants would only be eligible for the subsidies supported by the Centre, which
include rice sold at Rs. 3/kg and wheat at Rs. 2/kg, It would not include subsidies given
by their respective state government in some other state.
 This scheme will ensure that no poor person is deprived of subsidised grains.
 The scheme can be implemented as already 77% of the ration shops across the
country have PoS machines and more than 85% of people covered under the National
Food Security Act (NFSA) have their cards linked to Aadhaar.
 For remaining beneficiaries, all the States have been given one more year to use point of
sale (PoS) machines in the ration shops and implement the scheme.
AYUSH, MeitY ministries to collaborate for digitisation of AYUSH sector

The Ministries of AYUSH and Electronics and Information Technology signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to collaborate on the digitization of the
AYUSH sector.
The Electronics and Information Technology Ministry has agreed to give technical
support to the AYUSH Ministry for planning and development of AYUSH GRID Project.
In pursuance to the National Health Policy 2017, the project aims to digitize the entire
AYUSH, leading to transformation in the field of health care delivery at all levels, along
with greater research, education, delivery of various health care programmes and better drug
regulations.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken various Health
initiatives such as e-Hospital, e-Aushadhi, e-Rakt Kosh, Online Registration System
(ORS) and e-Shushrut for digitizing the internal workflows and processes of hospitals across
the country.
MeitY has also launched an online information guide called Vikaspedia, a portal for the
various social sectors including Health and it offers information in 23 languages.
UGC approves a scheme "STRIDE" to boost research culture in India
University Grants Commission has approved a ‘Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research
for India’s Developing Economy’ to boost research culture in India.
It will provide support to research projects that are socially relevant, locally need-based,
nationally important and globally significant.
An Advisory Committee has been set up by the UGC under the chairmanship of Prof
Bhushan Patwardhan to oversee the entire scheme.
Objectives of STRIDE:
 To identify young talent, strengthen research culture, build capacity, promote

innovation and support trans disciplinary research for India’s developing economy
and national development.
 To fund multi institutional network high impact research projects in humanities and
human sciences.
ICMR Report On Non Communicable Diseases; India: Health of the Nation’s

States
According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report titled “India: Health of the
Nation’s States”, contribution of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to total death in
the Country was 61.8% in 2016, as compared to 37.9% in 1990.
Some examples of common NCDs, i.e. diabetes, hypertension and cancers (Oral, Breast
and Cervical cancer) are on the rise in India.
Risk factors for NCDs inter alia include ageing, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, high
blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and overweight.
Also In the States of Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu, due to epidemiological transition, fewer
deaths are recorded for communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases, thereby
raising the share of NCDs in total deaths.
Most of Rajya Sabha members support Medical Council Bill

Parliament has passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill
replaces the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2019 which was
promulgated on 21st February, 2019.
The Bill seeks to reduce the time period for supersession of the Medical Council of India
(MCI) from three years to two years, with effect from 26th September, 2018, during which the
government-constituted Board of Governors will exercise the powers and functions of
MCI as assigned under the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act, 1956.
The 1956 Act provides for supersession of the MCI and its reconstitution within a period of
three years from the date of its supersession. In the interim period, the Act requires the
central government to constitute a Board of Governors, to exercise the powers of the MCI.
The Bill also increases the strength of the Board appointed by the central government,
from seven members to 12 members.
The government will soon come up with the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill that
seeks to replace MCI with a National Medical Commission and overhaul the medical education
system in India.
Various initiatives have been taken to promote digital learning under ‘National
Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology’
(NMEICT)
The Ministry of Human Resource Development administers the programme, National
Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT),
to leverage the potential of ICT to make the best quality content accessible to all learners
in the country free of cost.
Initiatives under the Program
SWAYAM: The Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) is
an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school (9th to 12th) to
Postgraduate Level. The online courses are being used not only by the students but also by
the teachers and non-student learners, in the form of lifelong learning.
SWAYAM Prabha: It is an initiative to provide 32 High Quality Educational Channels
through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7
basis.
National Digital Library of India (NDL): It is a project to develop a framework of virtual
repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. Presently, there
are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the NDL.
Spoken Tutorial: They are 10-minute long, audio-video tutorial, on open source software,
to improve employment potential of students. It is created for self-learning, audio dubbed
into 22 languages and with the availability of online version.
Free and Open Source Software for Education (FOSSEE): It is a project promoting the
use of open source software in educational institutions. It does that through instructional
material, such as spoken tutorials, documentation, such as textbook companions, awareness
programmes, such as conferences, training workshops, and internships.
Virtual Lab: This is a project to develop a fully interactive simulation environment to
perform experiments, collect data, and answer questions to assess the understanding of the

knowledge acquired. There are about 225 such labs operational, with more than 1800
experiments that benefitted more than 15 lakhs students.
E-Yantra: It is a project for enabling effective education across engineering colleges in
India on embedded systems and robotics. More than 275 colleges across India have benefited
with this initiative.
Providing access to safe and adequate drinking water to all Indians

The Union Minister for Finance while presenting the budget announced Jal Jeevan Mission
to ensure HarGharJal (piped water supply) to all rural households by 2024.
The objective of mission is to ensure HarGharJal (piped water supply) to all rural households
by 2024 under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
It will be executed by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti
Mantralaya.
This Mission will focus on integrated demand and supply side management of water at
the local level, including creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability like
rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater
for reuse in agriculture.
The Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve
its objectives of sustainable water supply management across the country.
Government has identified 1592 Blocks which are critical and over exploited, spread
across 256 Districts for the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
Besides using funds available under various Schemes, the Government will also explore
possibility of using additional funds available under the Compensatory Afforestation
Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for this purpose.
Rs. 400 Cr allocated for creating world class educational institutions

While presenting the Union Budget 2019-20, Union Minister of Finance announced setting
up of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to achieve the objectives of research and
innovation.
Key announcements wrt Education Sector:
An amount of Rs. 400 crore has been provided for FY 2019-20 to create “World Class
Institutions” in the field of education which is more than three times the revised estimates
for the previous year.
The Government will also bring in a “New National Education Policy” to transform India’s
higher education system to one of the global best education systems.
A National Research Foundation (NRF) will be setup to fund, coordinate and promote
research in the country.
The ‘Study in India’ programme was announced that will focus on bringing foreign
students to study in our higher educational institutions.
A draft legislation for setting up Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) would be
presented in the year ahead. This will help to comprehensively reform the regulatory

system of higher education to promote greater autonomy and focus on better academic
outcomes.
National Sports Education Board for Development of Sportspersons would be set up
under Khelo India Scheme to popularize sports at all levels.

International News
Government to consider issuing Aadhaar Card for NRIs with Indian Passports
The Union Finance Minister proposed that the IDEAS scheme will be revamped during the
current financial year.
Key highlights of Budget Speech:
The Union Finance Minister proposed to consider issuing Aadhaar Card for Non-Resident
Indians with Indian Passports.
Indian Development Assistance Scheme (IDEAS): The IDEAS scheme will be revamped
during the current financial year. Indian Development Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) provides
concessional financing for projects and contributes to infrastructure development and
capacity building in the recipient developing countries.
In Financial Year 2019-20, Government intends to open four new Embassies and High
Commissions abroad in countries where India does not have a Resident Diplomatic
Mission.
Government is developing 17 iconic tourism sites into world class tourist destinations.
These sites will lead to increase visits of both domestic and international tourists at
these destinations.
Government proposed to launch a Mission that will integrate India’s traditional artisans
and their creative products with global markets. Wherever necessary patents and
geographical indicators, will be obtained for them.
Kulbhushan Jadhav case: International court to deliver verdict on July 17

International Court of Justice likely to deliver verdict in Kulbhushan Jadhav case this
month.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial body of the UN. Established
in 1946 to replace the Permanent Court of International Justice, the ICJ mainly operates
under the statute of its predecessor, which is included in the UN Charter.
It has two primary functions:
 to settle legal disputes submitted by States in accordance with established

international laws
 to act as an advisory board on issues submitted to it by authorized international
organizations.
Members of the Court:
The International Court of Justice is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms
of office by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. These organs
vote simultaneously but separately.
ICJ has its headquarters at The Hague, Netherlands.

National News
Nagaland to carry out its own version of NRC from July 10
Nagaland has decided to start a variant of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) that
neighbouring Assam is updating.
Nagaland Home Commissioner R. Ramakrishnan has issued a notification for the setting up
of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
It is aimed at preparing a master list of all indigenous peoples and checking the issuance
of fake Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC) to ineligible persons.
It will be prepared after an extensive survey with the help of a village-wise and ward-wise
list of indigenous inhabitants based on official records.
The survey will take into account whether an indigenous inhabitant is residing in his/her
permanent residence or has moved elsewhere. Aadhar numbers, wherever applicable, will
be also recorded.
Designated teams will fan out to each village and urban ward from July 10, 2019. The drive
for collecting information on locals and non-locals has a 60-day deadline.
It will be monitored by the Home Commissioner, it will be prepared under the supervision
of each district administration.
Haryana CM announces annual health assistance to 'loktantra senanis'
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced an annual financial assistance of
Rs 5 lakh to "loktantra senanis" or their spouse.
Under this, they will be provided treatment at private or government hospitals. The term
"emergency victim" on their identity cards would be replaced with "loktantra senani".
"Loktantra senanis" are those people who were imprisoned during the 1975-77
Emergency under preventive detention laws.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan for Water Conservation Launched

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan, launched by the Union Jal Shakti Minister has begun from 1st
July, 2019.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a campaign for water conservation and water security in the
country.
The campaign will run through citizen participation in two phases, firstly, during the
monsoon season, from 1st July, 2019 to 15th September, 2019 and then from 1st October,
2019 to 30th November, 2019 for states receiving the North East retreating monsoons.
It is a collaborative effort of various ministries of the Government of India and state
governments, being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
(DDWS) that comes under the Jal Shakti Ministry.
The focus of the campaign is on water stressed districts and blocks. The teams of officers
from the central government will visit and work with district administration in 1592 water
stressed blocks in 256 districts, to ensure five important water conservation interventions.
The five important water conservation interventions are:
 Water conservation and rainwater harvesting,
 Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks,
 Reuse of water and recharging of structures,
 Watershed development and
 Intensive afforestation.
Story in numbers: The 'poor' state of public libraries in India
The Union Ministry of Culture has declared financial assistance under National Mission on
Libraries (NML) to develop libraries in each States/UT.
As per scheme, it will provide financial assistance for upgradation of infrastructure of
one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT as NML Model Library.
Public libraries as being a State Subject, function under the administrative control of the
respective State/UT library authority.
There are six Public Libraries under administrative control of Union Ministry of Culture
namely National Library, Kolkata; Central Reference Library, Kolkata; Central Secretariat
Library, New Delhi; Delhi Public Library, Delhi; Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library,
Patna and Rampur Raza Library, Rampur.
National Mission on Libraries (NML)
The Union Ministry of Culture in 2012 formulated the NML scheme in pursuance of
National Knowledge Commission recommendations for sustained attention for
development of Libraries and Information Science Sector.
The National Knowledge Commission was constituted in 2005 to prepare a blueprint for
reform of knowledge related institutions and infrastructure which would enable India to meet
the challenges of the future.
The scheme consists of four components:
 Creation of National Virtual Library of India (NVLI)

 Setting up of NML Model Libraries
 Quantitative & Qualitative Survey of Libraries
 Capacity Building
Maharashtra ranks first in NITI Aayog's AMFFR Index

Maharashtra achieves first rank in NITI Aayog launched "Agricultural Marketing and
Farmer Friendly Reforms Index (AMFFRI)".
The index ranks states based on the degree of reforms they have undertaken in agricultural
marketing.
AMFFRI has a score that can have minimum value “0” implying no reforms and maximum
value “100” implying complete reforms in the selected areas.
Pink City Jaipur gets UNESCO World Heritage tag, PM Modi welcomes move
In a remarkable achievement, India gets its 38th UNESCO World Heritage Site as Pink City
Jaipur.

India’s nomination of the Jaipur City, Rajasthan got inscribed on the World Heritage List of
UNESCO during the 43rd Session of the World Heritage Committee held at Baku,
Azerbaijan.
The nomination of Jaipur City has successfully been done by complying with the various
UNESCO guidelines of 2017.
With Successful inscription of Jaipur City, India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30
Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.
About Jaipur
The City of Jaipur is an exceptional urban example in indigenous city planning and
construction in South Asia.
Unlike other medieval cities of the region, Jaipur was deliberately planned as a new city
on the plains open for trade as opposed to hilly terrain and military cities of past.
Its iconic monuments such as the Govind Dev temple, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa
Mahal excel in artistic and architectural craftsmanship of the period.

Environment & Ecology & Agricultural News
Tamil yeoman declared Tamil Nadu's state butterfly
Tamil Nadu has officially designated Tamil yeoman as it’s ‘State Butterfly.’
Scientific name: Cirrochroa thais.
Common name: Tamil yeoman or the ‘Tamizh Maravan’.
It is a species of nymphalid butterfly.
It is found in found in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka.
State Butterflies in India:
With the recent decision, Tamil Nadu has become the fifth state in the country to declare
its state butterfly.
Maharashtra was the first to declare Blue Mormon as its state butterfly, followed by
Uttarakhand (Common peacock), Karnataka (Southern bird wings) and Kerala (Malabar
banded peacock).
82 personnel complete training to check rhino poaching

An 82-member Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) has been deployed in the
Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
The SRPF personnel will be posted under eight ranges of Kaziranga National Park (KNP)
to control rhino poaching as well as tiger poaching since Kaziranga is also a tiger reserve.
The Assam government would be paying the salaries of the SRPF members and the amount
would be reimbursed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which
recommended setting up of the special force.
Kaziranga National Park (KNP) houses the largest population of One Horned Rhinoceros
in the world and has about 68% of the entire world population of One-horned Rhinoceros.
India to host 3rd global sunflower seed meet on July 19

India will host the 3rd International Sunflower Seed and Oil Conference (ISSOC) 2019 on
19th–20th July in Mumbai.
Organized by the International Sunflower Oil Association (ISOA), it will be hosted by the
Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA).
International Sunflower Oil Association (ISOA)
International Sunflower Oil Association (ISOA) was established in the year 2015 in Rome
by National Associations and Companies from China, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Spain and
Argentina.
It aims to encourage and promote better communications among sunflower oil
producers, industry groups, academic researchers and local governments, as well as
enhancing sunflower oil value addition and enlarging the field of its commercial application.
The first International Sunflower Oil Symposium and ISOA launching ceremony was
held in October 2015, in Shanghai, China and the second conference was held in July 2017
in Odessa, Ukraine.
After decades of increases, sea ice in Antarctica is now shrinking
As per the study of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), after decades
of gradual increases, Antarctic sea ice is now decreasing, faster than that in the Arctic.
The sea ice extent is a measure of the surface area of the ocean covered by ice.
The Arctic and Antarctic both are experiencing shrinking of the sea ice extent which
proves the effect of global warming on Frigid Zones.
The satellite observations of Antarctic sea ice coverage since the late 1970s show that
after a gradual increase in the Antarctic sea ice over decades until 2014, the trend suddenly
reversed completely in the 2014- 2017 period.
During 2014-2017, the rate of sea ice loss in the Antarctic far exceeded those recorded for the
Arctic.
Climate scientists have been warning of an increase in the frequency of extreme weather
events, increased variability and instability of climatic patterns because of global
warming. The findings of the study indicate that the Earth has the potential for significant and
rapid change.
The sea surface temperatures in the open waters of the Arctic have been unusually high,
up to 5 degrees Celsius above average in the Chukchi Sea, a marginal area of the Arctic
Ocean.
Leonardo DiCaprio helps create new environmental alliance

Leonardo DiCaprio is joining with billionaire investors and philanthropists Laurene Powell
Jobs and Brian Sheth to create Earth Alliance.
Type of organization: A non-profit environmental organization.
It will work globally to protect ecosystems and wildlife, ensure climate justice, support
renewable energy and secure indigenous rights to the benefit of all life on Earth.”
It will provide grants, educational opportunities and fund campaigns and films, as well as
work with grassroots organizations and individuals in places most affected by biodiversity
loss and climate change.

Defence & Security
AFSPA extended in Nagaland till december end
Ministry of Home Affairs have extended The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)
for another six months in Nagaland.
The Act is implemented with effect from June 30 and will be in force till December end.

Science & Technology
Company to spearhead commercialization of various space products
Presenting the General Budget 2019-20 in the Parliament, Union Minister of Finance said that
a Public Sector Enterprise viz. New Space India Limited (NSIL) has been incorporated.
New Space India Limited (NSIL) has been incorporated as a new commercial arm of
Department of Space to tap the benefits of the Research & Development carried out by
ISRO.
The Company will spearhead commercialization of various space products including
production of launch vehicles, transfer to technologies and marketing of space
products.
NSIL has an authorised capital of ₹10 crore and a paid up capital of ₹1 crore.
Human cell atlas: An initiative for holistic understanding of human body
A human atlas initiative named Manav has been launched by the Department of
Biotechnology (DBT) and Persistent Systems, a biotechnology company.
The aim is to create a unified database of molecular network of all the tissues in the human
body and to derive a holistic picture of working of the human body.
In this public-private venture, DBT and Persistent Systems will invest Rs 13 crore and Rs 7
crore respectively.
There is already a similar Human Cell Atlas project (launched in the year 2016), which is
a collaborative effort between the world-leading scientists, to generate data pertaining to
cellular and molecular activities of various cell types in the body in both its normal and disease
state using techniques such as single cell genomics.
The Indian project, on the other hand, depends on the knowledge already available in
scientific literature to derive information on cellular network.
About the Project
This mega project will collate and integrate molecular information on human tissues and
organs that currently remain in research articles in an unstructured and disorganised form.
The project would utilise large biological community, both students and scientists, for
extracting and adding the information from scientific literature at the level of cells and organs.
The database, that would get created, would eventually help researchers identify gaps in
current knowledge and help in future projects in diagnostics and disease biology.
The project will be executed by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
(IISER) and the National Center for Cell Sciences (NCCS) based in Pune.

Facts of the WeeK
Events
Abu Dhabi to host first ISA's joint security exercise ISALEX19 beginning today
Abu Dhabi is hosting International Security Alliance (ISAs) first joint security exercise
named ISALEX19.
Representatives of 50 law enforcement agencies of the International Security Alliance
are taking part in the first joint security exercise in Abu Dhabi.
The participants include representatives from tactical teams, rapid intervention units,
communications, civil defence, and explosive ordnance disposal, teams.
About International Security Alliance
The International Security Alliance (ISA) is an international working group to confront
organised, transnational and extremist crimes.
It was launched in 2017 in Abu Dhabi.
Secretariat: Abu Dhabi.
The alliance now comprises nine countries, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco,
France, Italy, Spain, Senegal, Singapore, and the Slovak Republic.
First ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair to commence from 11 July
First ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) to be held at Pragati Maidan,
New Delhi.
IICTF is a unique initiative for taking farmers, artisans & other members of cooperatives
directly to the global trade platform.
Trade Fair is being conducted by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
with the support of Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives (NEDAC),
Ministries, State Governments and several apex level Indian cooperative organizations.
Focus sectors of India International Cooperatives Trade Fair are:
 Textile: ginning spinning, power loom, and textile processing.

 Agribusiness and food processing: cold chain, packaging, climate-smart agriculture.
 Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Health and hospitality
 Trade and marketing: agriculture produce marketing, transport and marketing
infrastructure.
 Credit service and finance: insurance, cooperative banking.
Jagannath Rath Yatra festival begins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of commencement of nine-day
Long Jagannath Rath Yatra festival.
Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in Odisha.
It is regarded as the oldest Ratha Yatra taking place in India whose descriptions can be
found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita.

This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright
fortnight of Ashadha month).
The festival commemorates Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa
Temple (aunt's home) near Balagandi Chaka, Puri.
Festival highlights:
As part of Ratha Yatra, the deities of Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and
younger sister Subhadra are taken out in a procession to Gundicha Temple, which is
situated at a distance of 2-3 km from their temple.
The deities remain there for nine days.
Then the deities or Ratha Yatra return to the Main temple. The return journey of Puri
Jagannath Ratha Jatra is known as Bahuda Jatra.
Awards
IIT Kanpur honours Gopichand with honorary doctorate
IIT Kanpur honours India's chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand with
honorary doctorate on the occasion of their 52nd convocation.
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are past
recipients of the honour.
Sports Journalists Federation of India 2019 Awards
 SJFI Medal (Highest Honour): Prakash Padukone (Badminton).

 Sportsperson of the Year Award: Pankaj Advani (Billiards and Snooker) and Bajrang
Punia (Wrestling).
 Emerging Talent of the Year Award: Saurabh Choudhary (Shooting).
 Team of the Year Award: Vidarbha Cricket Team.
Important Days
International Day of the Tropics, 29 June
The United Nations observe 29 June as International Day of the Tropics.
The International Day of the Tropics celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the tropics
while highlighting unique challenges and opportunities the Tropical nations face.
National Doctors' Day: 1 July

India observe 1st July as the National Doctors' Day. The day is celebrated to recognize the
contributions of physicians to individual lives and communities.
National Doctor's Day is also celebrated to honour the legendary physician Dr. Bidhan
Chandra Roy.
Dr Roy was honoured with the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna on February 4,
1961.
International Day of Parliamentarism: 30 June

The United Nations observe 30 June as the International Day of Parliamentarism. This
day celebrates parliaments and the ways in which parliamentary systems of government
improve the day to day lives of people around the world.
This day also acknowledges the formation of the Inter Parliamentary Union, the global
organization of parliaments which was established in 1889.
Appointments
FIEO elects Sharad Kumar Saraf as new president
Exporters body Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has elected Sharad
Kumar Saraf as its new president.
P.K. Purwar appointed as the CMD of BSNL

The GoI has appointed MTNL CMD P.K. Purwar as the Chairman and Managing Director
of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. He has been appointed for a period of three months
starting July 1.
He will replace Anupam Shrivastava as the CMD of BSNL.
S Vishwanathan gets extension by one year as RBI deputy governor

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan has been given a one-year
extension by the GoI. Presently he is heading the Department of Banking Regulation of the
Reserve Bank of India.
Manoj Kumar Nambiar elected chairman of MFIN

Microfinance Institutions Network has elected Manoj Kumar Nambiar as its chairman.
MFIN comprises 56 NBFC-MFIs and 40 associates including banks, small finance banks
and NBFCs.
Germany's Ursula von der Leyen nominated to lead EU Commission

European Union (EU) leaders have struck a deal to put women in two of the most important
policymaking jobs in the EU for the first time.
European Commission Chief: German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been
nominated as the first woman to become the European Commission Chief.
European Central Bank chief: Chief of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine
Lagarde has been nominated as the first woman to head the European Central Bank.
European Council President: Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel is nominated as
European Council President.
Foreign Policy Chief: Spain's Foreign Minister Josep Borrell is proposed as Foreign
Policy Chief.
President of the European Parliament: David-Maria Sassoli has been nominated as
President of the European Parliament.
BSNL clears employees' full salary for June

The government has appointed MTNL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) P.K.
Purwar as the CMD of BSNL for a period of three months starting today (1 July), subject
to the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), for ensuring continuity
at the struggling PSU.
Sports
Max Verstappen wins Austrian Grand Prix
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Austrian Grand Prix for the second year in a row while
champion Mercedes lost for the first time in this season.
Indian Pro Boxer Wins WBC Asia Title

Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav has become the WBC Asia Silver Welterweight
Champion. He defeated Thailand's Fahpetch Singmanassak in the title bout held in Pattaya,
Thailand.
The fight was conducted by the Asian Boxing Council and approved by the World Boxing
Council (WBC).
Ambati Rayudu retires from international cricket

Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has announced his retirement from international cricket.
He has played 55 ODIs for India, scoring 1694 runs at an average of 47.05 with three hundreds
and 10 half-centuries.
India loses to Pakistan in the IBSF Snooker World Cup finals
The Indian team lost to Pakistan in the final of the IBSF Snooker World Cup in Doha.
India lost the summit clash by 1-3.
Pankaj Advani and Laxman Rawat represented the Indian team in the world cup.
Hima bags gold in Poznan Athletics Grand Prix

Hima Das, the under-20 World champion has won the gold medal in women’s 200m in
the Poznan Athletics Grand Prix.
Poznan Athletics Grand Prix is taking place in Poznan, Poland.
Central Govt to set up three CoE in Sports at Itanagar in AP

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju
informed that central government is going to set-up three Sports Centre of Excellence in
Itanagar very soon.
The three centre of excellence will be for Martial Arts, Weight Lifting and Boxing.
These centres will have a capacity of 300 sportspersons with residential facility.
This year Arunachal Pradesh will host the North East Youth Festival.
The government will also set up 12 to 15 football stadiums with Astro-turf football pitches
across the state in the next three years.
What is the Kerala Champions Boat League?

The Champions Boat League (CBL) has been conceived by tourism officials in Kerala on
the model of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to transform the state’s legendary and
historically-significant ‘vallamkali’ (snake boat races) into a world-class sporting event.
The snake boat, or ‘chundam vallam’ is essentially a long canoe that can seat up to 100
rowers and can have a length between 100 and 138 feet in length. While the front portion
of the boat tapers with a pointy end, the rear end can rise up to a height of 20 feet — the entire
wooden structure resembling a snake with its raised hood, hence the name.


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