Daily Current Affairs 04-06-2020

1. GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROSPECTS (GEP)

·         The World Bank released its Global Economic Prospects (GEP) June 2020 report.

Highlights of the report:

·         The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have “severe” short and long-term effects on economic growth.

·         Current estimates show that 60 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty in 2020. These estimates are likely to rise further.

·         EMDEs (Emerging Market and Developing Economies) are especially vulnerable. These countries are expected to have a 3-8% output loss in the short term.

Facts:

The Global Economic Prospects (GEP) is the World Bank’s semi-annual flagship publication on the state of the world economy.

Source: The Hindu

2. Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

·         The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is being observed on 4 June.

·         It was established in 1982 in the background of victims of the 1982 Lebanon War.

·         The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.

·         Its work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history.

Source: United Nations

3. SWADES

·         Government has launched a new initiative SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission.

About SWADES:

·         This is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Civil Aviation Ministry and External Affairs Ministry.

·         SWADES aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skillsets and experience to tap into and fulfill demand of Indian and foreign companies.

·         The collected information will be shared with the companies for suitable placement opportunities in the country.

·         The returning citizens are required to fill up an online SWADES Skills Card. The data collected through SWADES Skill Card will help the citizens with job prospects and bridge the demand-supply gap.

Source: All India Radio

4. MoU between India and Bhutan

·         The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing the MoU between the Government of India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment.

The MoU will cover the following areas of environment:

(1) Air; (2) Waste; (3) Chemical Management; (4) Climate Change; and Any other areas jointly decided upon.

·         This MoU shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years.

·         It will facilitate exchange of best practices and technical knowhow through both public and private sectors and shall contribute to sustainable development. It provides the possibility for joint projects in areas of mutual interest. However, no significant employment generation is envisaged. 

Facts:

·         A MoU was signed between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment, India and the National Environment Commission (NEC) of Bhutan in 2013.

·         This MoU expired in 2016. Noting the benefits of the earlier MoU, both sides have decided to continue cooperation and collaboration in the field of Environment. 

Source: PIB

5. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port

·         The Union Cabinet has given its approval to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.

About:

·         The Kolkata Port is the first Major Port as well as the only riverine port of the country.

·         It came to be governed by a Trust in 1870 on appointment of the Commissioners for Improvement of the Port of Calcutta as per Act V of 1870.

·         It features at Serial Number 1 in The First Schedule, Part I—Major Ports of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 and is governed by the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.

Syama Prasad Mukherjee:

·         Syama Prasad Mukherjee (1901 – 1953) was an Indian politician, barrister and academician.

·         He served as the Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet.

·         He quit the Union Government because of differences of opinion with the Nehru-led government and founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor to the Bharatiya Janata Party, in 1951. 

Facts:

·         Nhava Sheva Port Trust was renamed as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust by the Government in the year 1989.

·         The Tuticorin Port Trust was renamed as O. Chidambaranar Port Trust in the year 2011.

·         The Ennore Port Limited has been re-named as Kamarajar Port Limited in the honour of K Kamarajar, eminent freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Source: Live Mint

6. Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS)

·         The Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up of an “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development Cells (PDCs) in Ministries/Departments of Government of Indiafor attracting investments in India”

Objective of EGoS:

·         To provide investment support to global investors by bringing synergies and ensure timely clearances from different departments and Ministries.

Composition of EGoS

·         Cabinet Secretary (Chairperson); Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (Member Convenor) CEO, Niti Aayog (Member); Secretary, Department of Commerce (Member), Secretary, Department of Revenue (Member), Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (Member); Secretary of Department concerned (to be co-opted).

Project Development Cell (PDC)

·         Under the guidance of the Secretary, an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary of each relevant central line Ministry, who will be in-charge of the PDC will be tasked to conceptualize, implement, and disseminate details with respect to investable projects.

Source: The Hindu