NATIONAL NEWS

NHA and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Health Authority (NHA) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• The main objective is for providing a Comprehensive Medical Package to Transgender Persons under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY.
• This joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Social Welfare and Empowerment is first of its kind in the Country to give a new direction to our society and respectable place in the society for Transgender persons.
• A special “Ayushman Bharat TG Plus” card is being provided for the transgender society by linking the SMILE scheme with the “Ayushman Bharat Scheme” of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The ministry will fund Rs. 5 lakh insurance cover per transgender beneficiary per annum.

First Cow Dung to Compressed Biogas Project

• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) commenced its Cowdung to Compressed Biogas Project at Sanchore, Rajasthan.

• This will be HPCL’s first project under Waste to Energy portfolio.

• The plant is proposed to utilize 100 Tons per day of dung to produce biogas, which can be utilized as automotive fuel.

• The project is being developed under GOBAR-Dhan scheme launched by Government of India as a part of the Biodegradable Waste Management component under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) to positively impact cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste.

National Labour Conference

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories on 25 August 2022 virtually.
• The two-day Conference is being organised by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
• It is to discuss various significant labour-related issues. It will help create further synergy amongst the Centre and State Governments in formulating better policies and ensuring effective implementation of schemes for the welfare of workers.
• The Conference will have four thematic sessions on integrating the e-Shram portal for onboarding social security schemes to universalize social protection.

Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leather Products Policy 2022

• Tamil Nadu, has announced an investment of ₹2,250 crore in the footwear and leather sector and launched an annual policy for the industry in Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leather Sector Conclave 2022.

• The state government signed five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for the investments in the presence of CM MK Stalin who launched the 'Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leather Products Policy 2022'.

• The government has signed MoUs with five firms that include KICL SEMS, Wagon International, KICL, Walkaroo, and KICL (footwear cluster).
• The step will help the sector in attracting ₹20,000 crore investment by 2025 and generate employment for 2 lakh people.

CDRI Signs with Government of India

• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Government of India (GoI) signed a headquarters agreement in New Delhi.

• The agreement will enable the status of an 'Independent and International Legal Entity' for CDRI.

• It will enable the institution to pursue functions internationally with all rights, immunities, and privileges, as per the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.

• This will further enable the organization to fulfill its commitments and engagements on the resilience of infrastructure.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Meeting on Counter-Terrorism

• India to host UN Security Council members for special meeting on counter-terrorism in October.

• India chairs the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022.

• The special meeting will specifically focus on three significant areas where emerging technologies are experiencing rapid development, growing use by member states (including for security and counter-terrorism purposes) and the increasing threat of abuse for terrorism purposes, namely Internet and social media, terrorism financing and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

• The theme for the meeting is “Mindful of the increasing threat posed by the misuse of new and emerging technologies”.

BANKING

Mastercard Partners with BASIX

• Mastercard partnered with livelihood promotion institution BASIX Social Enterprise Group to launch an agritech platform BASIX Farmers’ Market (BFM) to integrate farmers into the digital economy.

• The digital platform will be used to address the fundamental challenges for small farmers related to price discovery, market reach, payments and credit access leveraging technology from Mastercard and sector expertise of BASIX.
• Through the collaboration, both the companies aim to connect 10 lakh farmers with technology to their benefit, including 200 Farmer Produce Organisations (FPO), being promoted under SMART Project partnering with Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission.

HDFC ERGO Launched a Portal for Electric Vehicles (EV)

• Leading private sector general insurance company HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company has launched a portal ‘All Things EV’ for Electric Vehicles (EV).

• It is the country’s first one-stop-solution portal that can be used by existing and potential EV users.

• It is to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by addressing the needs of current and future EV owners.
• This platform has a roadmap with features like slot booking at charging stations, roadside assistance, RTO services and the creation of an EV community.

IGMS as ‘Bima Bharosa’

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is set to roll out an upgraded version of the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS), a revamped grievance redressal mechanism as Bima Bharosa.

• It is to make complaint redressal more efficient with the option of customers filing their complaints in 13 regional languages.

• ‘Bima Bharosa’ will take care of customers’ needs in a more time-bound manner.
• SMSes will be sent to the complainant’s registered mobile/e-mail ID after registration of the complaint and upon attending by the insurance company.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

VL-SRSAM Missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).

• It was tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

• The flight test was carried out from a naval ship against a high-speed unmanned aerial target for demonstration of vertical launch capability.
• During the test launch, flight path and vehicle performance parameters were monitored using flight data, captured by various range instruments such as radar, electro-optical tracking system (EOTS) and telemetry systems deployed by ITR in Chandipur.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Water Week

• World Water Week is celebrated from 23 August to 01 September 2022.

• Since 1991, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) has hosted World Water Week to address global water issues and related international development concerns.

• The theme for the of year 2022 is ‘Seeing the unseen: The value of water’, which helps us view water in new and fascinating ways.
• World Water Week is a community of changemakers working together to find answers to the world’s most pressing water-related issues.
• The Week also serves as a gathering space to expedite progress toward the SDGs and other international activities.
• This year’s World Water Week is a significant step toward the UN Water Conference in 2023.