Current Affairs - 13 May 2022

Daily Current Affairs of 13 May 2022. Follow Current Affairs on daily Basis in on post. Current Affairs PDF for Competitive Exams

Saudi Aramco overtook Apple Inc. as the world’s most valuable company

Oil giant Saudi Aramco has dethroned Apple Inc. to become the world’s most valuable company, underscoring the recent surge in oil prices that have boosted the energy giant this year. Aramco traded near its highest level on record, with a market capitalization of about $2.43 trillion, surpassing that of Apple for the first time since 2020. The iPhone maker fell 5.2% to close at $146.50 per share, giving it a valuation of $2.37 trillion.

Even if the move proves short-lived and Apple retakes the top spot again, the role reversal underscores the power of major forces coursing through the global economy. Soaring oil prices, while great for profits at Aramco, are exacerbating rising inflation that is forcing the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at the fastest pace in decades. The higher rates go, the more investors discount the value of future revenue flows from tech companies and push down their stock prices.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Saudi Aramco Founded: 1933;
Saudi Aramco Headquarters: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia;
Saudi Aramco CEO: Amin H. Nasser.

Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Independent Ukraine Passes Away

Leonid Kravchuk, a former communist who helped sign the Soviet Union’s death warrant and then served as the first president of independent Ukraine, passed away at the age of 88. Kravchuk was known as the “wily fox” as he rose through the ranks of Ukraine’s Communist Party and take over as head of the parliament in 1990. He signed the Belovezha accords with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian leader Stanislav Shushkevich in December 1991 which effectively triggered the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Ukraine Capital: Kyiv;
Ukraine Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia;
Ukraine President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy;
Ukraine Prime minister: Denys Shmyhal.

Rajiv Kumar appointed as next Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the next chief election commissioner. He will assume charge on May 15 after incumbent Sushil Chandra demits office on May 14, a notification issued by the Law Ministry said. In pursuance of clause (2) of Article 324 of the Constitution, the President appointed Shri Rajiv Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from the 15th of May 2022.

Kumar took charge as the Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 1, 2020. Prior to assuming charge in the Election Commission, Kumar had been the chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board. He joined as the PESB chairman in April 2020.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Election Commission of India Formed:25 January 1950;
Election Commission of India Headquarters: New Delhi.

Deepika Padukone named as 1st Indian brand ambassador of Louis Vuitton

Actress Deepika Padukone has become the first-ever Indian brand ambassador of luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The news was announced by the French brand. The brand unveiled the role of a 36-year-old Bollywood actress during their new handbag campaign. It saw Padukone joining in actors Emma Stone and Zhou Dongyu for promotional shots.

Recently, she has been named as a part of an eight-member jury presided by French actor Vincent Lindon at 75th Cannes Film Festival. She has also received the first Time 100 Impact Awards for creating awareness about mental health. Padukone is often pictured sporting Louis Vuitton outfits and bags, and she had also modelled for them previously. She became the first Indian actor to feature in the brand’s campaign in 2020 when she posed for a mock book cover with stars like Lea Seydoux and Sophie Turner.

ICICI Bank and Santander UK Partner for business ease between India and UK

ICICI Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, established a partnership with Santander Bank in the United Kingdom, aimed at making banking easier for businesses operating in both countries. The ICICI and Santander UK Plc signed a MoU in Mumbai to build a framework of partnership between the banks to satisfy the financial service needs of corporate clients operating along the India-UK corridor.

KEY POINTS:

ICICI Bank said it will offer UK corporates operating in India banking solutions in trade, cross-border payments, supply chain, treasury solutions, and retail banking, while Santander UK will support Indian corporates and new age firms with their banking needs in the UK.
ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group, Sriram H Iyer, who signed the MoU on behalf of the bank, stated that India and the United Kingdom have long had strong bilateral relations and that India has long been a favoured foreign investment destination for British companies.
The United Kingdom is one of the top ten countries investing in India.
This MoU enables corporates in the UK-India corridor to receive smooth banking services. They are convinced that ICICI Bank would support Santander UK and assist its customers build their businesses in India, and make India one of their main markets, thanks to their extensive network, industry-first digital services, and comprehensive suite of corporate ecosystem banking.
According to the banking executive, the cooperation will serve the financial needs of the corporate ecosystem in the booming UK-India corridor.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

Non-Executive (part-time) Chairman of ICICI Bank: Mr. Girish Chandra Chaturvedi
Chief Executive Officer of Santander UK: Mike Regnier
ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group: Sriram H Iyer,

Outbreak of Tomato Flu in Southern Parts of India

What is Tomato Flu?

In a few parts of Kerala, a new virus known as tomato flu has been detected after the covid-19 pandemic. Almost 80 children in Kollam city of Kerala have been diagnosed with tomato flu and it is spreading rapidly. All the cases that are confirmed have been diagnosed in children below 5 years. They have been admitted to the local government hospitals. The number of children admitted to the private hospitals is not yet been included in the tally it may be higher than 80 cases.

It is recognized as tomato flu because it causes tomato-shaped blisters on the body. The children diagnosed with tomato flu are experiencing fever, rashes, and skin irritation. Some children are also suffering from dehydration. The increasing effect of tomato flu in Kollam the neighboring districts like Mangaluru, Udupi, Kodagu, Chamrajnagara, and Mysuru are on high alert and are directed to keep an eye on the daily travelers. The flu has reached Aryankavu, Anchal, and Nedivathur in Kerala.

Symptoms of Tomato Flu

There are several symptoms of tomato flu and some are still undiagnosed. The known symptoms are given below. If these symptoms are found in children, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Rashes
Skin irritation
Tiredness
Joint pain
High fever
Body aches
Discoloration of knees, hands, and buttocks
Abdominal cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose

Cause of Tomato Flu

Causes of tomato flu are still unknown and the health officers are investigating the undiagnosed fever children below the age of 5 are suffering from. Only children below the age of 5 are affected by tomato flu. The Bhruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palika says that Bangalore has no cases of tomato flu in the City, till now only Kollam has reported the outbreak of tomato flu.

Preventions for Tomato flu

As soon as the symptoms are diagnosed in children consult a doctor. Dehydration is also a cause of tomato flu so the children are advised to drink water regularly and stay hydrated. Take care of the rashes with proper hygiene and cleanliness.

Role of Government in Tomato Flu Alert

The Kerala government has formed a 24-member team to treat the children suffering from tomato flu in all Anganwadi centers. To supervise the spread of tomato flu 3 teams have been formed, revenue inspector, health inspector, and police. Kerala health minister K.Sudhakar on Wednesday said that “Those symptoms are similar to Covid-19, the tomato flu has nothing to do with it. The symptoms are usually seen in other types of viral infections also. There is no need to panic as the authorities have been asking us to remain alert. Moreover, the tomato flu is endemic to Kerala.”

InspiHE₹: Financial literacy campaign launched by Bharti AXA Life Insurance

Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s largest business groups, and AXA, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, announced the launch of its financial literacy campaign, ‘InspiHE₹– enabling an empowered future, a special effort to propagate financial awareness among women as well as allow people to make good investment decisions for a stable future.

KEY POINTS:

According to research, 55% of women do not make well-informed financial decisions, and 59% of women do not have health or life insurance. Bharti AXA intends to improve this situation gradually.

In honour of ‘International Mother’s Day’ and the upcoming ‘International Day of Families,’ the organisation has launched an initiative to empower women, particularly moms, by teaching them the fundamentals of financial planning and saving in order to ensure their future.

The ‘InspiHE₹’ campaign will begin with on-the-ground teaching sessions for a group of Mumbai moms and will be disseminated through social media channels to generate interest. The corporation hopes to involve women, particularly moms, and their families with this campaign.

Apart from the on-the-ground education programme, Bharti AXA Life Insurance workers will also donate to this great cause.

They will teach their mothers, housekeepers, and other family members the essentials of financial planning on their own time, and they will encourage Indians on social media to promote financial literacy and further this programme.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited CEO: Sanjeev Srinivasan

Haryana launched ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ for fodder cultivating farmers

Haryana Agriculture Minister, Jai Parkash Dalal launched the ‘Chaara – Bijaee Yojana’, a scheme launched to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre (Upto 10 acres) to farmers cultivating and supplying fodder to Gaushalas (Cowsheds). The rationale behind the scheme is to address the State’s fodder shortage and rising stray cattle. The Subsidy will be directly credited to the farmer’s account under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Under the scheme:

The number of cow shelters in the state increased from 175 in 2017 to 600 in 2022. Most cow shelters remain overcrowded due to an increase in the stray cattle population.
Also, the Phosphate-Rich Organic Manure (PROM) prepared from cow dung can be used as an alternative for synthetic fertilisers. The Prom is also prepared from various gaushalas of Pinjore, Hisar and Bhiwani districts of Haryana.
The state government has been taking a number of steps in the interest of farmers, and the ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ is another step in that direction. In April, Rs 13.44 crore was distributed among 569 gaushalas in the state for purchasing fodder.”

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;
Haryana Capital: Chandigarh;
Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.

India won 14 medals in Archery Asia Cup 2022 Stage 2

Indian archers wrapped up a highly successful Asia Cup 2022 Stage-2 campaign in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq with a total of 14 medals – eight golds, four silvers and two bronze. The Indian team of women archers Parneet Kaur, Aditi Swami, and Sakshi Chaudhary has won India’s first gold medal of the continental meet after defeating Kazakhstan in Iraq.

The men’s team of Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav, and Jawkar Samadhan has won the second gold for India. The compound mixed duo of Prathmesh Fuge & Parneet Kaur won the third Gold Medal at Asia Archery Cup.

India medal winners:

Women’s team compound: gold (Sakshi Chaudhary, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand Swami)
Men’s team compound: gold (Rishabh Yadav, Prathamesh Fuge, and Prathamesh Jawkar)
Mixed team compound: gold (Prathamesh Fuge and Parneet Kaur)
Men’s individual compound: Prathmesh Fuge (gold); Rishabh Yadav (silver); Jawkar Samadhan (bronze)
Women’s individual compound: Sakshi Chaudhary (gold); Parneet Kaur (silver)
Women’s team recurve: gold (Avani, Bhajan Kaur and Laxmi Hembrom)
Men’s team recurve: gold (Mrinal Chauhan, Parth Salunkhe and Juyel Sarkar)
Mixed team recurve: silver (Parth Salunkhe and Bhajan Kaur)
Men’s individual recurve: Mrinal Chauhan (gold); Parth Salunke (bronze)
Women’s individual recurve: Bhajan Kaur (silver)

Intersolar Europe 2022 to be attended by Bhagwant Khuba

Shri Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, has arrived in Munich, Germany for Intersolar Europe 2022. In Munich, the Indian Union Minister will deliver a keynote talk at the investment promotion event India’s Solar Energy Market. The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) is organising the event.

KEY POINTS:

The event is critical in terms of possible benefits for India, such as solar technology transfer, international investor investments in solar manufacturing, KfW development bank financing, and knowledge exchange pacts with Europe.
Intersolar is the world’s largest solar industry and partner show series. It brings together individuals and businesses from all over the world with the goal of boosting the use of solar energy in our energy supply.
Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together participants of the solar business from all over the world, thanks to its more than 30 years of expertise.
Munich, So Paulo, Long Beach, Gandhinagar, Dubai, and Mexico City all host Intersolar fairs and conferences. Intersolar Summits, which take place in emerging and developing markets around the world, supplement these global gatherings.
More than 20,000 individuals are expected to participate, including ministers and secretaries from several countries. Major renewable energy international firms such as ABB, Siemens, Ercon, 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, Meyer Burger Technologies AG, BayWa r.e. GmbH, Engie, Enel, and Wacker are expected to be represented at the event through their CEOs.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy: Shri Bhagwant Khuba

In Bharuch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses ‘Utkarsh Samaroh’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used video conferencing to address the Utkarsh Samaroh in Bharuch, Gujarat. The event commemorates the district’s 100 percent saturation of four main state government initiatives that will help give prompt financial support to individuals in need. Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Gujarat’s Chief Minister, was among those in attendance.

KEY POINTS:

Women from the region gave the Prime Minister with a massive Rakhi, wishing him health and a long life and thanking him for what he has done for women’s dignity and ease of life in the country.
The Prime Minister met with recipients of several government programmes.
The Prime Minister told the crowd that today’s Utkarsh Samaroh is proof of the productive results that can be accomplished when the government honestly reaches out to the beneficiaries with a resolve.
He praised the Bharuch district administration and the Gujarat government for fully implementing four social security initiatives. The Prime Minister remarked on the beneficiaries’ happiness and confidence.
He claimed that a lack of awareness prevents many tribal, SC, and minority citizens from benefiting from the initiatives. He further mentioned that the Sabka Saath Sabka Vishwas mentality and good intentions always yield positive results.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

Chief Minister of Gujarat: Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel

Marcos Jr. Wins 2022 Presidential Election in Philippines

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Junior, a son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos claims the victory in the 2022 Presidential Election of the Philippines with more than 30.8 million votes. A win would return the Marcos dynasty to power. Hundreds gathered to protest the results of the election.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Leni Robredo are the president and vice president candidates in the election. Both the candidates promised economic recovery following the pandemic. Along with the two main candidates, eight other candidates, including former boxing star Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former national police chief Sen. Panfilo Lacson, have lagged far behind in voter preference surveys.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Philippines Capital City: Manila; Currency: Philippine peso.

Retail Inflation Surges To 7.79% In April, Highest In 8 Years

India’s retail inflation surged to 7.79 per cent in April, largely driven by rising fuel and food prices, government data showed. The consumer price-based inflation figure stayed well above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) upper tolerance limit for the fourth consecutive month. In April, the CPI inflation expanded at its highest pace in eight years. The previous high was recorded at 8.33 per cent in May 2014. April’s print was higher than 6.95 per cent in March and 4.23 per cent a year ago.

Why does this happen?

The rate of price rise in ‘fuel and light’ category in the retail inflation basket quickened to 10.80 per cent in April this year from 7.52 per cent in the preceding month.
In the ‘oils and fats’ category, inflation remained at an elevated level of 17.28 per cent in April as Ukraine is one of the major sunflower oil producers in the world and India imports a major portion of the commodity from the war-ravaged country. Besides this, Ukraine is also a key supplier of fertiliser to India.
Vegetables witnessed an inflation print of 15.41 per cent during the month as against 11.64 per cent in March.
The Reserve Bank has been mandated by the Centre to keep the retail inflation between 2 per cent to 6 per cent.

Latest Government Schemes in India: All Government Schemes launched in 2022

All Schemes of Government of India

There are several schemes launched by the government of India this year. These programs help in the social and economic welfare of the nation. All Schemes of the Government of India are launched to solve many social and economic problems that are faced by the citizens. In 2022 several schemes are launched and several old schemes are re-launched with extended years of the policy. Government launches many schemes and programs every year to address the concern of citizens over issues faced by them. The central and state government invests the required amount for the commencement of the scheme and program. In this article we have discussed important government schemes in India launched in 2022.

List of Government Schemes

Scheme	Ministry	Launch Date
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana	Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs	Launched on 25^th June 2015 Expected completion by 2022
Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana	Ministry of Finance	Launched on 20 June 2020 Extended to 2022
Meri Policy Mere Hath	Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare	Launched on 26^th February 2022
Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan	Ministry of Human resource development launched	Launched on 17^th April 2017 Extended date 31^st March 2026
Support for marginal individuals for livelihood and enterprise (SMILE)	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment	Launched on 12^th February 2022
Jal Jeevan yojana	Ministry of Jal Shakti	Launched on 15^th August 2019 Expected completion by 2044
Jal Shakti Abhiyan	Ministry of Jal Shakti	Launched on 22 March 2021

Features and Importance of different Government Schemes

1. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)- Pradhanmantri Awas Yojana is an initiative of the Government of India which aims to provide affordable housing to the urban people by the year 2022. The scheme was first launched on 25th June 2015. The interest rate for Pradhanmantri always Yojana starts at 6.5 0% per annum and can be availed for up to 20 years. The last date for availing Pradhanmantri Awas Yojana scheme for EWS and LIG category was extended to 31st March 2022.
Features of PMAY
-The subsidiary interest rate is 6.50 % per annum.
-Differently abled and senior citizens will be given the preference of ground floors
-The construction of houses includes sustainable and eco-friendly technology.
-In the scheme 4041 towns are included in the entire urban area of the country and 500 class 1 cities are given priority.
2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana- Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anya Yojana or the prime minister’s food security scheme for the poor was launched on the 26th March 2020 during the Covid-19 in India. Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan and Yojana promise to give 5 kg rice or wheat, and 1 kg dal to each person holding a ration card. It is the largest food security program in the world. Initially, the program was for 3 months in 2020 which included 80 crore ration cards. In 2022 the union cabinet has approved the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for another 4 months.

3. Meri Policy Mere Hath- It was launched under the Pradhan Mantri fasal Bima Yojana. It is a doorstep distribution drive that grants crop insurance to the farmers for upcoming seasons. The policy makes sure that farmer communities are well informed and fully equipped with information. The funds for support will be granted under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and financial support to the farmers suffering from crop loss or damage will be given. Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana launched by prime minister Narendra Modi on 18th February 2016 at Sehore Madhya Pradesh has completed 6 years

4. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan- RUSA provides strategic funding to the eligible state higher educational institute. The funding flows from the Central ministry to state governments to the state higher educational institutes. It aims to attend a higher level of access equity and excellence in the state higher education system with greater efficiency transparency responsiveness and accountability.

5. Support for marginal individuals for livelihood and enterprise (SMILE)- The scheme’s focus is on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, basic documentation, skill development, economic linkage, etc. The scheme is formulated under the ministry of social justice and empowerment and executed with the help of State Government and union territory governments community-based organizations, local urban bodies, nongovernmental organizations, institutes, and others.

6. Jal Jeevan yojana- The Jal Jeevan mission aims to provide four crore tap water connections in rural households in 2022. In a recent webinar, the prime minister stressed the use of technology service delivery and community participation to achieve the goal of the Jal Jeevan Mission by 2024. The union budget has allocated rupees 60,000 crores for the Jal Jeevan mission in 2022.

7. Jalshakti Abhiyan 2022- The scheme was launched on 2021 March 22. In 2022 the Jal Shakti Abhiyan campaign launched a new initiative catch the rain campaign from 29 March 2022 to 30th November 2022.

FAQs related to Government schemes

1. How many government schemes are there in India?
Ans. There are hundreds of government schemes in India that focus on social and economic. Every year several schemes are launched to help the citizen conquer all the economic and social problems. All the schemes are for public welfare.

2. What are the schemes launched by the Modi government in 2022?
Ans. There are various schemes launched by prime minister Narendra Modi, some of the core schemes launched by the Modi government are swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Pradhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India Pradhanmantri ujjwala plan, Namami gange Yojana and many more.

3. What are the different schemes in India?
Ans. There are various schemes in India launched by the government of India which includes the health, education, agriculture, water, development, mother care, urban, financial, transport, housing, pension, and skill development sectors.

4. Which scheme started in 2000?
Ans. Annapurna scheme was launched in 2000. Under the scheme, 10 kg of food grains were given to a senior citizen who has no family support per month free of cost.

5. When did the come into effect?
Ans. Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana was launched by PM Narendra Modi and it came into effect on 26 March 2020.

Dr. Frank Wilczek Receives 2022 Templeton Prize

Frank Wilczek, the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist and author renowned for his boundary-pushing investigations into the fundamental laws of nature, was honoured with this year’s prestigious Templeton Prize awarded to individuals whose life’s work embodies a fusion of science and spirituality.

American Theoretical physicist and author, Dr Frank Wilczek, who won the Nobel Prize (in Physics) in 2004, has been awarded the Templeton Prize 2022, the world’s largest individual lifetime achievement award, valued at over USD 1.3 million. He became the 6th Nobel laureate to receive the Templeton Prize since its inception in 1972. As a 2022 Templeton Prize laureate he will participate in several virtual and inperson events, including a 2022 Templeton Prize event.

About Templeton Prize:

John Templeton establishes the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (now known simply as the Templeton Prize in 1972. This was investor Sir John Templeton’s first major philanthropic venture. The inaugural Templeton Prize (1973) was presented to Mother Teresa.

About Dr Frank Wilczek:

Dr Frank Wilczek is a distinguished Professor in Arizona State University’s Department of Physics.
He continues to pioneer new concepts in physics, naming and developing the theories of anyons, time crystals and axions
He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of strong interaction. He shared the prize with David J. Gross and H. David Politzer.
He has authored several books which include, “A Beautiful Question” (2015); “The Lightness of Being” (2008); “Fundamentals” (2021).

UNDP and Agriculture Ministry signs MoU for Credit Strategic Partnership

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), the Government of India, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which UNDP will provide technical assistance to the Centre’s ambitious Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.

KEY POINTS:

CEO-PMFBY Ritesh Chauhan and UNDP Resident Representative Shoko Noda signed the MoU in the presence of Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar.
UNDP will use its systems experience and worldwide know-how to assist the Ministry of Agriculture in implementing combined agriculture loan and crop insurance under the terms of the MoU.
The signing event was also attended by Union Minister of Agriculture for State Shri Kailash Chaudhary and Secretary of Agriculture, Shri Manoj Ahuja.
KCC-MISS and PMFBY were created with the goal of addressing the shortcomings of prior schemes and creating a structure that provides better implementation alternatives for all stakeholders while attaining the desired outcomes.
Several new provisions have been included to the Schemes to this end. One of the most appealing aspects of the present plans is that they apply evenly across the country and cover all crops.
According to the MoU, UNDP will provide responsive, demand-driven technical assistance for the effective implementation of agriculture-credit and crop insurance, as well as capacity development and IEC support to existing national and state-institutions, all while keeping small and marginal farmers, women farmers, sharecroppers, tenant and non-loanee farmers in mind.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

Union Minister of Agriculture: Narendra Singh Tomar
Union Minister of Agriculture for State: Shri Kailash Chaudhary
CEO – Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Ritesh Chauhan

Czech Republic has been approved to replace Russia on the UN Human Rights Council

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously opted for the Czech Republic to replace Russia on the world organization’s primary human rights council. The Czech Republic was the only contender for a seat on the Human Rights Council, which has 47 members. A successor for Russia has to come from an East European country because seats on the Geneva-based council are divided among regional groups. Russia has been suspended due to allegations of horrendous rights violations by Russian military in Ukraine

KEY POINTS:

In the General Assembly’s secret ballot voting, 180 of the 193 members cast ballots. 157 countries voted in support of the Czech Republic, with 23 abstentions.

The assembly voted 93-24 with 58 abstentions to support a motion proposed by the United States to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council.

The vote was much lower than the March vote on two resolutions calling for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, the departure of all Russian soldiers, and civilian protection. At least 140 countries voted in favour of both resolutions.

Russia’s deputy ambassador, Gennady Kuzmin, told U.N. members after the General Assembly suspended Russia that Russia had withdrawn from the Human Rights Council before the vote.

According to Council spokesperson Rolando Gomez, Russia avoided losing its observer status at the rights group by withdrawing.

Union Minister announces Repco Subiksham, a new Repco Bank initiative

In Chennai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra announced the New Repatriate Welfare Scheme, a Repco Bank deposit scheme, a Repco Micro Finance Ltd. (RFML) micro finance lending scheme, and an application. E. Santhanam, Chairman of Repco Bank, Managing Director R.S. Isabella, and the Board of Directors were in attendance.

A new deposit scheme for senior citizens is offered by “Repco Subiksham.” It is a retail deposit scheme for senior citizens (over the age of 60) and super senior citizens (over the age of 80). (age above 80). “The interest rate for senior citizens is 7.15 percent, and for super senior citizens it is 7.25 percent.”

KEY POINTS:

A new deposit scheme for senior folks is offered by Repco Subiksham. According to an official announcement, it is a retail deposit system for senior persons (over 60) and super senior citizens (over 80).

Senior citizen interest rates are 7.15 percent, and super senior citizen interest rates are 7.25 percent.

The Repatriate Youth Development Scheme is open to A class repatriate members from Myanmar or Sri Lanka, as well as their family members.

The sponsorship amount will be up to $25,000, and applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35.

The Repco Mahila Samriddhi Scheme for SHGs is aimed at assisting impoverished women in generating income. It will grant collateral-free loans to women with household income of up to 3 lakh. The loan amount would range from 50,000 to 2.5 lakh.

Repco Bank was founded in 1969 as a cooperative enterprise under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs with the primary goal of rehabilitating Myanmar and Sri Lankan repatriates.