Daily Current Affairs 21st July 2022

RBI, Banking and Economy

• Urban cooperative banks to have 4-tiered regulatory framework
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued final guidelines for urban cooperative banks (UCBs), accepting the NS Vishwanathan committee’s recommendation to implement a four-tiered regulatory framework, among others.

• RBI renews statement of commitment to global code on best market practices
  • The Reserve Bank of India 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 FX Global Code has been developed under the auspices of the Bank for International Settlements, Basel.

• Levy on fuel exports slashed; govt exempts SEZs from windfall tax
  • The Central Government recently exempted the export of petroleum products from units located in special economic zones (SEZs) from the windfall tax and slashed the export levies on these fuels as the global crude oil prices started easing.

SEBI and FINANCIAL AWARENESS

• SEBI comes out with directive for sub-KYC user agency for Aadhaar authentication
  • SEBI recently issued directives for sub-KYC user agencies to provide Aadhaar authentication services to their clients for the purpose of know your customer (KYC).
  • This comes after the government last week notified 155 entities as sub-KUAs (KYC user agencies) to use Aadhaar authentication services of the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).

NATIONAL

• Indian and Namibia signed MoU
  • Government of India and Government of the Republic of Namibia have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization for establishing the cheetah into the historical range in India.
  • Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh was considered ready for receiving cheetah with the least management interventions since a lot of investments had been done in this Protected Area for reintroducing Asiatic lions.

• MoU in the field of Judicial Cooperation between Judicial Service Commission of Maldives
  • The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Judicial Cooperation between India and Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Maldives.
  • This is the eighth MoU signed between India and other countries in the field of Judicial Cooperation.

• Vidya Samiksha Kendra
  • States/UTs to establish a Central system (Vidya Samiksha Kendra) at state level for tracking student enrolment, progress in their learning levels, Out of School Children mainstreamed, textbook delivery, support required by teachers and schools, etc.
  • Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) is aimed at leveraging data and technology to bring a bid leap in learning outcomes.

INTERNATIONAL

• Ranil Wickremesinghe elected President of Sri Lanka
  • Six-time Prime Minister and Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected President of Sri Lanka amid an extraordinary political crisis set off by the island nation’s economic crash.
  • This is the third unlikely elevation this year for Mr. Wickremesinghe, 73, who is the United National Party’s sole MP.

STATES

• Himachal Pradesh first in country to launch Vehicle location Tracking Device
  • Himachal Pradesh has become first in country to launch Vehicle location Tracking Device, Emergency Panic Button System and Command Control Centre of the State Transport Department for the public.
  • This Vehicle Location Tracking Device with Emergency Panic Button System and Command Control Centre has been connected with Emergency Response Support System.

• Assam Swanirbhar Naari Scheme 2022
  • A new initiative called “Swanirbhar Naari” has been launched in Assam State to support local weavers on July 19, 2022 This scheme will assist these individuals to expand their businesses and support their families financially.

• UP government appoints Deloitte India as consultant
  • The Uttar Pradesh cabinet appointed Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India as consultant to achieve the target of making the state a $1-trillion economy.

REPORTS AND INDEXES

• NITI Aayog to launch the third edition of the India Innovation Index 2021
  • NITI Aayog will release the third edition of the India Innovation Index on the 21st of July, 2022
  • The India Innovation Index 2021 will be released by the Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery.
  • The release of the third edition of the index – the first and second editions were launched in October, 2019 and January, 2021, respectively – corroborates the Government’s continuous commitment towards transforming the nation into an innovation-driven economy.

• Henley Passport Index 2022
  • The Henley Passport Index has released the list of the World’s Most Powerful Passports 2022, which ranks world's 199 passports according to the number of countries the holders can get visa free access.
  • Japan has the world's most powerful passport as per Henley Passport Index 2022.
  • India has slipped from 85th place to the 87th with visa-free access to 60 countries.

AWARDS AND REWARDS

• Shiromani Award at the NRI World Summit 2022, United Kingdom
  • Michelle Poonawalla, well-known artist, businesswoman and philanthropist received the coveted Shiromani Award from the hands of Mr. G. P. Hinduja, co-chairman of Hinduja Group at NRI World Summit 2022, the United Kingdom for her contribution to the field of Art.
  • She was also a speaker at the prestigious House of Lords.

SPORTS

• IPL team owners buy all six South Africa T20 League franchises
  • The owners of the Indian Premier League have bought all six franchises of South Africa's new T20 league.
  • Reliance Industries Limited, which owns Mumbai Indians has bought Newlands franchise of the SA T20 league, the CSK owners have purchased Johannesburg franchise and Delhi Capitals owners have bought Pretoria.