What is Silk Samagra Scheme?

• It is a Central Sector Scheme.
• Launched for a period of three years i.e 2017-2020.
• The scheme is being implemented by the Central Silk Board (CSB)
• It focuses on improving the quality and productivity of domestic silk thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported silk.
• It comprises the following four components:
• Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and I.T. Initiatives
• Seed Organizations
• Coordination and Market Development, and
• Quality Certification Systems (QCS)/Export Brand Promotion and Technology Up-gradation.

H-CNG

• In a major step toward adopting alternative clean fuel for transportation, The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has allowed use of H-CNG (18% mix of hydrogen) in CNG engines.
• The Ministry has been notifying various alternate fuels under Clean Fuels for transportation.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also developed specifications of Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG) for automotive purposes, as a fuel.
• What is HCNG?
• The blending of hydrogen with CNG provides a blended gas termed as HCNG.
• It can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel and propane (C3H8) / LPG and its combustion produces fewer undesirable gases.

RBI extends enhanced borrowing limit for banks under MSF

• The RBI, had increased the borrowing limit for scheduled banks under the marginal standing facility (MSF) scheme from 2 per cent to 3 per cent of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL).
• It is a temporary measure.
• The facility was later extended due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
• Reserve Bank has decided to extend by six months
• What is MSF?
• It is a window for Scheduled Commercial Banks to borrow from the Reserve Bank of India in an emergency situation when interbank liquidity dries up completely.
• Launched by RBI while reforming the monetary policy in 2011-12.
• The MSF rate currently stands at 4.25 per cent.

EPF scheme certificate available on UMANG App

• Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has started a facility on the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) App.
• EPFO has now started facility enabling EPS members to apply for Scheme Certificate under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995.
• EPS scheme makes provisions for pensions for the employees in the organised sector after the retirement at the age of 58 years.
• About UMANG:
• Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance is developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
• Aim: To drive Mobile Governance in India.
• EFP scheme certificate available on UMANG App
• UMANG provides a single platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local Government bodies and other citizen centric services.

Appointment: Chairmen of TRAI

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed senior IAS officer PD Vaghela as the new Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
• He will be succeeding RS Sharma who was at the helm of the sector regulator for a period of five years.
• Usually, the TRAI chairman is appointed for a term of three years.
• PD Vaghela is counted among the key officers who played a significant role in the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), in 2017.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
• Established by an Act of Parliament (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997)
• Aim: To regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services.

30 September: International Translation Day

• The World Translation Day is marked by the United Nations to pay tribute to the language professionals.
• It helps in promoting cultural heritage and mutual respect in our changing world.
• Theme: Finding the words for a world in crisis.

Current COVID19 Situation in India

QUIZ TIME

Which ministry has allowed use of H-CNG (18% mix of hydrogen) in CNG engines?

1. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
2. The Ministry of Railways
3. The Ministry of Petroleum
4. None of the above

Answer – A

Why RBI extended enhanced borrowing limit for banks under MSF?

1. Due to loss faced by Banks
2. To bring liquidity in the Market
3. Due to COVID – 19 and losses due to lockdown
4. None of the Above

Answer – C

Who has been appointed as the Chairmen of TRAI?

1. PD Vaghela
2. RS Sharma
3. Sameer Khare
4. Rajesh Khullar

Answer – A

International Translation Day is observed on:

1. 28 September
2. 30 September
3. 27 September
4. 26 September

Answer – B

Question of the Day

What are the key provisions of the Social Security Code 2020?

Answer in next session…