DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 19th August 2021
Pilot Launch of International Bullion Exchange
- International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) launched the pilot run/soft launch here today. The International Bullion Exchange is scheduled to go live on October 1, 2021, the Foundation Day of IFSCA.
- This was in tandem to Union Budget 2020-21, the International Financial Services Centers Authority (Bullion Exchange) Regulations, 2020 were notified on December 11, 2020, which inter alia cover the Bullion Exchange, Clearing Corporation, Depository and Vaults.
- The International Bullion Exchange shall be the “Gateway for Bullion Imports into India”, wherein all the bullion imports for domestic consumption shall be channelized through the exchange.
- The exchange ecosystem is expected to bring all the market participants at a common transparent platform for bullion trading and provide an efficient price discovery, assurance in the quality of gold, enable greater integration with other segments of financial markets and help establish India’s position as a dominant trading hub in the World.
Aarogya Dhara 2.0
- Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare chaired the event Aarogya Dhara- 2.0 to mark the completion of 2 Cr treatments under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana.
- Treatment’s worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore have been provided till date through a growing network of 23,000 public and private empaneled hospitals.
- Arogya Dhara 2.0 aims to increase the reach of AB PM JAY programme to the poorest of the poor households in the country and to make the beneficiaries aware about the scheme.
- The following key initiatives were also launched on the occasion:
- Adhikar Patra: to be issued to the beneficiaries during their hospital admissions for treatment under PM-JAY scheme to make them aware about their rights so that they can claim free and cashless healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakhs under the scheme.
- Abhinandan Patra: a ‘thank you note’ to be issued to the beneficiaries during their discharge after the treatment under PM-JAY for availing the benefits of AB PM-JAY scheme. The Abhinandan Patra is also accompanied by a feedback form to be filled in by the beneficiary regarding the service they received under the scheme.
- Ayushman Mitra: Another key initiative launched which provides an opportunity to all citizens to contribute to the vision of Ayushman Bharat by helping eligible people to get their Ayushman Cards created and bring them under the ambit of the scheme. This can be done by logging in to https://pmjay.gov.in/ayushman-mitrato create Ayushman Mitra ID which can then be shared with eligible people. While getting Ayushman Cards and while availing treatments under the scheme the Ayushman Mitra ID can be shared by beneficiaries to CSC/empaneled hospital.
COP26 to be held in Glasgow United Kingdom
- Stating that India is always committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Framework and its Paris Agreement and will work constructively for successful and balanced outcome at COP26, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Changes Shri Bhupinder Yadav extended India’s full support to the UK for COP26 to be held in Glasgow in November this year.
Empowering Tribal Craftsmanship
- Aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) has identified 75 products of Tribal origin that will be registered for Geographical Indication (GI) Tag, which comes under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, India.
- The objective of identifying GI products is to create awareness of these products across the world and sensitize people about the rich cultural heritage of India.
- The GI tagging of the tribal products has been identified from 20 states.
- Out of 75 tribal products, 37 products belong to 8 states of Northeast, while from the tribal heartland, 7 products are identified for GI tagging from Jharkhand and 6 products from Madhya Pradesh.
Haiti earthquake hits 1.2 million people: UNICEF
- In a statement, the United Nations Children’s Fund said, around 1.2 million people, including 5,40,000 children, have been impacted by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
- The quake left 1,419 people dead and more than 6,900 injured.
- The toll is expected to rise in the coming days, but search and rescue efforts are being hampered by a lack of resources and by heavy rains, which have caused mudslides that blocked roads in the region.
- The United Nations allocated eight million dollars in aid to Haiti.
Key Decisions Taken at Union Cabinet Meeting
- Cabinet approves Ratification of Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons.
- National strategy for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons after required consultation with all the industry stakeholders by 2023.
- Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India and the GARDP Foundation on Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Innovation, Switzerland
- Cabinet approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Council of medical Research (ICMR), India and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Switzerland
- Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in the field of Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation.
- Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and United States of America on cooperation in the field of Geology.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- The International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) has its HQ at
- New Delhi
- Kolkata
- Gandhinagar
- Mumbai
ANSWER: C
- _______ is Current chairman of IFSCA
- Injeti Srinivas
- A K Naidu
- Pralhad Joshi
- Sunita Reddy
ANSWER: A
- It is also known as gold capital of the world.
- Kimberly
- Johannesburg
- Nevada
- Grasberg
ANSWER: B
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was launched in
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
ANSWER: D
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was an outcome of
- Rio Summit 1992
- Copenhagen 2009
- Durban 2002
- Mexico 1991
ANSWER: A
- Montreal Protocol is associated with
- Biological Diversity Conservation
- Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
- Plastic Pollution Control
- Women Empowerment
ANSWER: B
- Kyoto Protocol is associated with
- Reduction of GHG Emissions
- Control Melting of Glaciers
- Protection of Biological diversity
- Usage of Renewable Energy
ANSWER: A
- Kigali Amendment deals with reduction of
- Hydrofluorocarbons
- Chlorofluorocarbon
- Mercury
- Methane
ANSWER: A
- The first COP meeting was held in
- Paris
- Rio
- Berlin
- Tokyo
ANSWER: C
- Paris agreement was outcome of ______
- COP 18
- COP 21
- COP 19
- COP 23
ANSWER: B
