Current Affairs in English – July 21 2022

National Events:

First State-HP:

Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to connect all registered commercial vehicles equipped with Vehicle Location Tracking Device ( VLTD ) with Emergency Response Support System ( ERSS ) .
Now , these vehicles can be tracked anywhere in the country through VLTD . Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the system at a program organized in Shimla on 19 July 2022 .

NHPC & DVC:

NHPC Limited has signed an MoU with Damodar Valley Corporation ( DVC ) . It will explore the formation of a Joint Venture Company ( JVC ) for exploring and setting up hydropower and pump storage projects .
It is in line with the national objective of energy transition i.e. 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and Net Zero by 2070 .It envisages the joint development of mutually identified projects .

India’s R & D investment:

India’s spending on research and development ( R & D ) is among the lowest in the world , as per a study conducted by NITI Aayog and Institute for Competitiveness .
R & D investment in India , in fact , has declined from 0.8 % of the GDP in 2008-09 to 0.7 % in 2017-18 . Brazil , Russia , China and South Africa spend around 1.2 % , 1.1 % , above 2 % and 0.8 % respectively . The world average is around 1.8 % .

Tata Projects:

Tata Projects Ltd has appointed Vinayak Pai as its Managing Director , effective 22 July 2022 .Vinayak Pai has taken over the reins from Vinayak Deshpande .
It is currently executing some of the most marquee projects across India such as the New Parliament Building , Jewar Airport , and Refinery Units at Barmer , Mumbai Trans – Harbour Link , etc.

IBBI:

The central government has appointed Jayanti Prasad as a Whole time Member of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India ( IBBI ) for five years .
He has been appointed for a period of five years from the date of assumption of charge of the post i.e. with effect from the 5th July , 2022 or upto the age of sixty – five years . IBBI was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in New Delhi .

‘ Digital Banks : A Proposal for Licensing & Regulatory Regime for India’:

NITI Aayog has released its report titled ‘ Digital Banks : A Proposal for Licensing & Regulatory Regime for India. In it , it has made a case and offers a template and roadmap for a digital bank licensing and regulatory regime for the country .
The report suggested the introduction of a restricted Digital Business bank licence and a restricted Digital Consumer Bank licence .

IndusInd Bank & EazyDiner:

IndusInd Bank has announced a partnership with EazyDiner to launch a co – branded credit card , called EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Credit Card .The partnership is aimed at enhancing customer dining experience .
Recently in July , IndusInd Bank board has approved a proposal to raise Rs 20,000 crore in debt to fund business growth . IndusInd Bank CEO : Sumant Kathpalia. Headquarters : Mumbai.

India & Maldives:

The Union Cabinet on 20 July 2022 approved the signing of an MoU for judicial cooperation between India and the Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Maldives .
It will provide a platform to tap the benefits of Information Technology for court digitisation in both countries . This is the eighth MoU signed between India and other countries in the field of judicial cooperation .

JC Daniel Award:

Malayalam filmmaker KP Kumaran has been honoured with Kerala’s highest film award , the JC Daniel Award . He won the award for his contribution to the Malayalam film industry .
Kumaran made his directorial debut with Athithi in 1975 & won the National Award for Best feature film in Malayalam for his film Rugmini in 1989 .

Central Government’s Tax:

The central government lowered the windfall tax on crude oil production to 17,000 per tonne from 23,250 per tonne .It scrapped the 26 per litre export tax on petrol .
The levy on diesel was cut to 10 per litre from 13 per litre earlier , and on aviation turbine fuel to 4 per litre from ₹ 6 per litre . The Government also clarified that SEZ units would now be exempt from the windfall tax .

GODI India & CSIR-CECRI:

GODI India & CSIR – CECRI ( Central Electrochemical Research Institute ) have entered into a public – private partnership to operate & maintain an advanced Lithium – ion cell manufacturing facility in Chennai .
It is a first – of – its – kind public – private partnership in India for large – scale advanced lithium – ion cell manufacturing . GODI India Founded- 2020 . GODI India Headquarters- Hyderabad , Telangana.

Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institute Award 2021:

The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management ( NAARM ) has bagged the Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institute Award 2021 .It won the award in the Large Institute Category for its overall performance .
NAARM was established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research ( ICAR ) in 1976 , to address issues related to agricultural research and education management , in India .

NTPC Limited & MASEN:

NTPC Limited and the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy ( MASEN ) on 20 July 2022 signed an MoU for cooperation the renewable energy ( RE ) sector .
This MoU was signed during the 17th CII EXIM conclave on India Africa Growth Partnership held in New Delhi . This MoU promises to usher in the joint development of utility – scale projects based on renewable energy in Africa .

’The Indo-UAE Economic Chamber of Commerce’:

A new industry body ‘ The Indo – UAE Economic Chamber of Commerce ‘ was launched in Chennai on 17 July 2022 .It was launched to boost trade ties between India and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) .
The gems and jewellery sector is a substantial portion of India’s exports to the UAE . An MoU was signed between MM Gems and Jewellers ( India ) and Majestic Investment ( UAE ) in this connection .

FX Global Code:

RBI has renewed its statement of commitment to the FX Global Code , which is a compilation of best market practices formulated by central banks worldwide .The code was initially launched in May , 2017 and updated on July 15 , 2021 .
RBI had also facilitated formation of India Foreign Exchange Committee ( IFXC ) to promote adoption and adherence of the Code among FX market participants in India .

Tamil Nadu Events:

’Namma Kudiyiruppu’ App:

The Minister Anbarasan launched a new app called ‘Namma Kudiyiruppu’ for Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board residents to pay their installments in a simple manner.

International Events:

9th ASEAN – India Senior Officials Meeting:

The 9th ASEAN – India Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crimes was held in a virtual mode on 20 July 2022 .
The consultation was co – chaired by Joint Secretary ( Counter Terrorism ) , Ministry of External Affairs , Mahaveer Singhvi , from the Indian side . The 10th ASEAN – India SOMTC Consultation on Transnational Crimes will be held in 2023 in Indonesia .

ADB:

The Asian Development Bank ( ADB ) slashed growth forecast for India to 7.2 % for FY23 from 7.5 % estimated earlier citing higher than anticipated inflation since April and subsequent monetary tightening by the central bank .
Recently in July , ADB was the 2nd largest lender to Sri Lanka with $ 359.6 million in credit in last 4 months . India emerged as the top lender extending $ 376.9 million .

Sports Events:

ISSF Shooting World Cup 2022:

India finished its campaign by topping the medal tally with a haul of 15 medals including five gold , six silver and four bronze on July 20 . India completed the ISSF Shooting World Cup 2022 campaign in Changwon , South Korea on 20 July 2022 .
On the final day of the competition , the trio of Anish Bhanwala , Vijayveer Sidhu and Sameer won the silver in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol team event .