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Cabinet approves continuation of a scheme
- The Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Centrally- Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for development of infrastructure facilities for judiciary.
- It will be continued for further five years from the 1st of April 2021 to 31st March 2026.
- It will be implemented at a total cost of 9000 crore rupees, out of which Central share will be of 5,357 crore rupees.
No cases to be registered under IT Act, 2000
- States and UTs will direct all police stations under their jurisdiction not to register cases under the repealed Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- Supreme Court had struck down Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- This made Section 66 A, null and void with effect from the date of the order, and hence no action could be taken under this section.
Test of Vikas Engine successfully completed
- ISRO has successfully conducted the 3rd long-duration hot test of the liquid propellant Vikas Engine for the core L110 liquid stage of the human-rated GSLV MkIII vehicle.
- This is a part of the engine qualification requirements for the Gaganyaan Programme.
- The engine was fired for a duration of 240 sec. at the engine test facility of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu on 14 July’21.
J&K gets an air-monitoring station at Srinagar
- J&K got its first real-time air-quality monitoring station with the inauguration of first-ever Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) at J&K Pollution Control Committee headquarters.
- The CAAQMS is a highly sophisticated equipment that gives real time air quality data of a particular area.
- Its installation has been mandated in all the non-attainment cities of India.
Projects of Railways to be inaugurated
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation several key projects of the Railways in Gujarat on 16 July 2021 via video conferencing.
- He will also inaugurate the Aquatics and Robotics Gallery and Nature Park in Gujarat Science City during the event.
- The Railway projects include the newly redeveloped Gandhinagar Capital railway station.
Official team India cheer song launched
- Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has launched the ‘Cheer4India’ song of the country’s Olympic contingent.
- Grammy Award winner composure AR Rahman and young singer Ananya Birla collaborated to present the official song.
- MoS (Sports) Nisith Pramanik, Sports Secretary Ravi Mittal, Sports Authority of India Director, and General Sandip Pradhan were also present on the occasion.
Govt caps trade margin for 5 medical devices
- The govt has capped the trade margin for 5 medical devices at 70 of the price at the distributor level.
- These devices are a pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitoring machine, nebulizer, digital thermometer, and glucometer.
- The revised prices will come into effect from 20 Jul’21.
- Chemical and Fertiliser Ministry has decided to regulate their prices for Covid management.
Union Cabinet hikes DA for employees
- The Union Cabinet has given its approval to hike the Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners from the existing 17 per cent of the Basic Pay and Pension to 28 per cent.
- It will be effective from 1 July 2021.
- It also approved the continuation of the Rebate of State and Central taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) on exports of apparel, garments, and made-ups.
World’s largest emissions-trading program
- China is set to launch its long-planned national emissions-trading program.
- It is a system that would create the world’s largest carbon market and double the share of global emissions covered under such programs.
- The carbon market will help the country lower greenhouse-gas emissions and achieve its goal of reaching peak emissions before 2030.
- China is the world’s largest carbon emitter.
EU proposes world’s 1st carbon border tax
- The European Commission has put forward plans for the world’s first “carbon border tax” on imports of carbon-intensive goods, including steel, cement, fertilisers and aluminium, as part of a programme to meet its new climate target.
- The border levy should be phased in from 2026.
- The measure is designed to protect European industries from competitors abroad.
The retirement age of officials extended
- Maharashtra cabinet has approved a proposal to extend the age limit for the retirement of health officials up to 62 yrs.
- The state government has decided to give an extension in service of up to two years to civil surgeons and other senior officials in the health department beyond their retirement age of 60 years.
- The proposal was cleared at a cabinet meeting chaired by CM Uddhav Thackeray.
Center of excellence inaugurated
- Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Research and Analysis of Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances at the National Forensic Science University at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on 12 July 2021.
- This centre will help in research and analysis of drugs and narcotics seized in the different parts of the country and its routes.
Piyush Goyal: Leader of house in Rajya Sabha
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal was appointed as the leader of the house in Rajya Sabha on 14 July 2021.
- Goyal replaces Thawar Chand Gehlot, who moved to Karnataka as the Governor of the state following the recent cabinet reshuffle.
- The appointment also takes significance as the monsoon session of Parliament is set to commence on July 19, 2021.
- It will conclude on August 13, 2021.
Extension of term of a Commission-approved
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Eleventh Extension of the term of the Commission constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution.
- It will examine the issue of sub-categorization within Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the Central List.
- It has been extended by 6 months beyond 31st July 2021 and up to 31st January 2022.
Delhi announces fellowship programme
- The Delhi government has announced a fellowship programme for young professionals.
- The Chief Minister’s Urban Leaders Fellowship (CMULF) is a unique opportunity for young leaders across India to work with the government to address some of the most pressing urban challenges.
- Fellows will get ₹1.25 lakh per month and associate fellows will get ₹75,000.
National AYUSH Mission to continue
- The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026 with a financial implication of Rs. 4607.30 crore.
- The Mission was launched on 15 September 2014.
- The objectives of the mission include cost-effective AYUSH services, setting up of new up to 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital, etc.
Punjab announces waiver of Rs 590 crore loans
- The Punjab government has announced a waiver of Rs 590 crore loans under the farm debt waiver scheme for labourers and the landless farming community.
- The decision will benefit 2.85 lakh farm labourers and landless farmers.
- The cheques would be issued at a state-level function on August 20, 2021.
- So far, loans worth Rs 4,624 crore have been waived of 5.64 lakh farmers under the scheme.
Chris Gayle: 1st to score 14,000 T20 runs
- Chris Gayle has become the first-ever batsman to breach the mark of 14,000 runs in the T20s.
- He achieved the feat during the third T20I match between the West Indies and Australia in St Lucia.
- Gayle smashed 67 runs off 38 balls as he became the first cricketer to breach the 14,000-run mark in T20 cricket.
- It was also Gayle’s highest score in T20Is since 2016.
JSFB to raise funds through IPO.
- Jana Small Finance Bank has received SEBI’s approval to raise funds through an initial share sale.
- The initial public offering (IPO) comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 700 crore and an offer for sale of up to 92,53,659 shares by existing shareholders, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).
- SEBI’s observations are necessary for any company to launch IPO.
50% reservation to local students: Telangana
- Telangana Cabinet has decided to provide 50% reservation to local students in residential schools in local constituencies.
- The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet on 13 July’21.
- The Cabinet also discussed the drinking water problem in the municipalities under the jurisdiction of Hyderabad city.
- It has released a Rs 1200 crore fund additionally to the funds already allocated.
World’s 1st commercial small modular reactor
- China has officially begun the construction of the world’s first commercial modular small reactor ‘Linglong One’ at the Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant.
- The multipurpose small modular reactor (SMR) Linglong One – also called the ACP100 — was the first such SMR that was given a green signal by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2016.
- SMRs are cost-friendly and faster to construct.
The first batch of space rice harvested
- China has harvested the first batch of space rice from seeds that went to a 23-day lunar voyage with China’s Chang’e-5 in Nov’20.
- After being exposed to cosmic radiation and zero gravity, these seeds weighing around 40 grams returned and were harvested in Guangdong province.
- Rice seeds exposed to the environment in space may mutate and produce higher yields once planted on Earth.
World Youth Skills Day: 15 July
- World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on 15 July every year.
- The day was adopted through a UN General Assembly resolution passed on 18 December 2014.
- The day recognizes the importance of equipping young people with skills that can help them in becoming entrepreneurs and find employment that offers them decent work.
- The theme for 2021 is ‘Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic’.
Changes in the nomenclature of NEIFM approved
- The Union Cabinet has given its approval for changing the nomenclature and mandate of North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine (NEIFM) as North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Folk Medicine Research (NEIAFMR).
- The consequential changes will also be carried out in the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations.
- NEIFM is situated in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Denmark
- The cabinet has approved an MoU between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Denmark.
- The MoU is on cooperation in the field of health and medicine.
- It will encourage cooperation between both through joint initiatives and technology development in the health sector.
Samsung, Tesla sign $436 million deal
- Samsung has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s electric car maker Tesla worth $436 million to let its latest camera modules to be used in Cybertruck.
- Its’s camera modules will be used by Tesla’s latest electric vehicle that was unveiled in November 2019.
- Samsung has supplied Tesla with other EV-related technologies before, including batteries.
P S Sreedharan Pillai: Goa Governor
- P S Sreedharan Pillai took oath as the Governor of Goa on 15 July 2021.
- He replaced B S Koshyari, who was holding the additional charge of the state along with Maharashtra.
- Koshyari had been holding the additional charge as the governor of Goa since August 2020 after the transfer of Satya Pal Malik from the post.
- Pillai was serving as Governor of Mizoram before he was shifted to Goa.
Cyient introduces new policy globally
- Global engineering, manufacturing, and technology solutions company Cyient has announced a 12-week gender-neutral parental leave policy across its offices globally.
- Under the new policy, Cyient employees, including birth and adoptive parents of any gender, can take up to 12 weeks of paid time off at full pay following the birth or adoption of their child.
UAE: 1st Gulf nation to open embassy in Israel
- The United Arab Emirates has become the first Gulf nation to open an embassy in Israel, nearly a year after both countries signed an agreement to normalize diplomatic ties.
- The new mission is located in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building.
- Israel and the UAE announced in August 2020 that they would normalise diplomatic relations, bringing over a decade of covert ties into the open.
Delhi government partners with Google
- The Delhi government has joined hands with Google to launch a system that will enable commuters to access real-time information about buses, such as the arrival and departure times, and their routes.
- Google has teamed up with the Delhi Transport Ministry to show real-time bus information.
- Google Transit will automatically update the times in line with the new conditions.
Cabinet approves pact with Russia
- The Union Cabinet has approved a pact between India and Russia regarding cooperation on coking coal.
- Around 85% of India’s coking coal demand is met through imports.
- The cooperation with Russia will help India reduce its dependence on far-located countries like Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the US for sourcing of coking coal.
- It will also reduce per-tonne cost of steel production.
Divyang sports persons to get jobs: Gujarat
- Gujarat government has decided to provide Class-I and Class-II jobs to Divyang sports persons that represent India at international events.
- The aim of this decision is to promote physically challenged sportspersons to excel at the international level.
- The medal winners in the Paralympic, Para Asian and Commonwealth Games will be appointed in government service as per rules and norms.
RBI imposes restrictions on Mastercard
- The Reserve Bank has imposed restrictions on Mastercard Asia/Pacific Private Limited from adding new domestic customers from 22 July 2021.
- MasterCard will not be allowed to add customers, be it for debit, credit, or pre-paid cards onto its network as the entity has failed to comply with the directions on Storage of Payment System Data.
Satyadev Narayan Arya: Tripura Governor
- Satyadev Narayan Arya took oath as the Governor of Tripura on 14 July 2021.
- The Chief Justice of Tripura High Court, Justice Akil Abdulhamid Kureshi administered the oath of office to him in a ceremonial program held at Old Raj Bhawan Darbar hall.
- Satyadev Narayan Arya has succeeded Ramesh Bais as the 19th Governor of Tripura.
Olympics athletes felicitated in Bengaluru
- Karnataka CM B. S. Yediyurappa felicitated Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes in Bengaluru on 14 July 2021.
- Swimmer Srihari Natraj, golfer Aditi Ashok and equestrian player Fouaad Mirza were paid a purse of 10 lakh rupees each on this occasion.
- The CM announced a prize money of Rs 5 cr for the Olympians winning Gold, Rs 3 cr for silver and Rs 2 cr for winning a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
Electric Bike Taxi scheme launched
- Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa launched the Electric Bike Taxi scheme in Bengaluru on 14 July 2021.
- The scheme will generate self-employment and serve as a bridge between public transport and daily travelers.
- It is eco-friendly and encourages fuel conservation.
- The vehicles registered under this scheme will be in the transport category and exempted from permits and tax.
Britain to decarbonise its transport systems
- Britain has unveiled plans to decarbonize its transport systems, phasing out the sale of all polluting road vehicles by 2040.
- The proposals would provide a credible pathway for the whole transport sector to reach net-zero by mid-century.
- It will set the target of achieving carbon neutrality for domestic flights and all airports in England by 2040, and for international flights by 2050.
GAP, NCC jointly initiate a scheme
- Gallantry Awards Portal and National Cadet Corps have jointly initiated a unique scheme to celebrate and pay tribute to the gallants of the Armed Forces and others who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
- Under the initiative, statues of the brave hearts will be adopted for cleaning and upkeep and cadets will spread awareness among the people about their contribution.
IFSCA sets up an expert committee
- The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has set up an expert committee to recommend the road map for the development of the Longevity Finance Hub.
- It is being co-chaired by Kaku Nakhate, Bank of America, Country Head, and Gopalan Srinivasan, Ex-CMD, New India Assurance Company Ltd.
- Currently, GIFT IFSC is the only international financial services centre in the country.
CCEA approves special livestock sector package
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the implementation of a special livestock sector package.
- It will consist of several activities by revising and realigning various components of the govt schemes for the next 5 years starting from 2021-22.
- It envisages govt’s support amounting to Rs 9,800 cr over duration of five years for leveraging a total investment of Rs 54,618 cr.