Daily Current Affairs- September 15, 2023

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India’s trade deficit narrows in August as exports rise slightly

• India’s trade deficit, the gap between exports and imports, shrank to $24.16 billion in August from $24.86 billion in the same month last year, according to Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal.
• India’s exports increased marginally to $34.48 billion in August from $32.25 billion in July, but declined year-on-year from $37.02 billion in August 2020.
• India’s imports also rose slightly to $58.64 billion in August from $56.11 billion in July, but fell year-on-year from $61.88 billion in August 2020.
• The main drivers of India’s exports were engineering goods, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
• The main drivers of India’s imports were crude oil, gold, electronic goods, machinery, and coal.

Tata Steel secures UK government support for Port Talbot plant

• Tata Steel, the Indian steel giant, has signed a deal with the UK government to invest in electric arc furnace technology at its Port Talbot plant in Wales.
• The deal involves a grant of up to £500 million from the government, and a total capital expenditure of £1.25 billion from both parties.
• The deal aims to reduce the carbon emissions and energy costs of the plant, which is the UK’s single biggest carbon emitter and employs around 3,000 workers.
• The deal is part of the UK’s plan to decarbonize its steel industry and support its green transition, as well as Tata Steel’s strategy to improve its profitability and sustainability.
• The deal is subject to approval by the European Commission and the completion of due diligence by both parties.

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International Day of Democracy: Celebrating the values and principles of democracy

 

• The news is about the International Day of Democracy, which is observed on September 15th every year to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Democracy by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 19971.
• The news explains the meaning and importance of democracy, which is a form of government that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms, and allows people to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
• The news also describes the significance and celebration of the International Day of Democracy, which provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world, and to promote and uphold its values and principles2.

Parliament to discuss Bill on CEC and ECs appointment and service conditions

• The Bill seeks to regulate the appointment, service conditions, and office terms of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs).
• The Bill proposes to revise the salary, allowance, and service conditions of the CEC and ECs to bring it at par with those of a Cabinet Secretary, instead of a Supreme Court judge as per the current law.
• The Bill also proposes to constitute a committee of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM to select members of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• The Bill attempts to alter constitutional provisions that equate ECs with Supreme Court judges and seeks to undo the top court’s recent ruling that suggested the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the selection committee.
• The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 10 and will be discussed in the Lok Sabha on September 185. It has raised concerns about the independence and authority of the ECI.

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Odisha on high alert as scrub typhus claims six lives

• Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by chigger bites and causes fever, headache, body aches, and rash.
• Odisha has reported six deaths due to scrub typhus in Bargarh and Sundergarh districts since January 2023.
• The state health department has directed the district health authorities to increase surveillance, testing, awareness, and treatment for scrub typhus and leptospirosis, another seasonal disease.
• The department has also asked the authorities to investigate all deaths due to these diseases and take necessary containment measures.
• The department has also advised the public to avoid exposure to chiggers and rodents, wear protective clothing, and seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms.

Empowering Women in Tamil Nadu: The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam Scheme

• The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam is a women’s rights grant scheme in Tamil Nadu.
• It was launched on September 15, 2023, the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK founder C.N. Annadurai.
• The scheme aims to recognize the unquantified efforts of women who play a significant role in society by investing countless hours in both domestic responsibilities and external work.
• Under this scheme, an estimated 1.06 crore women, recognized as heads of families and enrolled as beneficiaries, would be given a monthly rights grant or basic income of ₹1,000 each.
• The eligibility criteria for the scheme are as follows:
• Families earning annual income below ₹2.5 lakh
• Families holding less than five acres of wetland or less than ten acres of dryland
• Families consuming less than 3,600 units of electricity per year for domestic use
• The entitlement of ₹12,000 per annum is meant to improve the livelihood of women, enhance their standard of living and pave the way for them to live with self-respect in society.

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National Engineers’ Day: Celebrating the legacy of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

• The news is about the National Engineers’ Day, which is celebrated in India on September 15th every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a renowned engineer, statesman, and scholar.
• The news highlights the achievements and contributions of Sir Visvesvaraya, who is considered as the chief architect of modern India. He was involved in several major projects such as the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, the Mysore Iron and Steel Works, and the Bhadravati Iron Works.
• The news also mentions some of the awards and honors bestowed upon Sir Visvesvaraya, such as the Bharat Ratna, the Knight Commander of the Indian Empire, and the Doctor of Science from eight universities.

Banks stop allowing credit card overpayments to prevent fraud and money laundering

• The news is about a new policy by Indian banks to stop allowing credit card users to pay more than their outstanding amount on their apps or websites.
• The reason for this policy is to prevent money laundering and fraud, as some cases have been reported where the excess amount parked in the credit cards has been used for illegal transactions by hackers.
• The banks have implemented checks and balances in their systems to block overpayments. If the customers pay through other banks, the card-issuing banks will refund the excess amount within a week.
• The news also mentions that HDFC Bank, SBI Card and Axis Bank are among the banks that have adopted this policy, while some ICICI Bank customers claim that they can still overpay.
• The news also quotes a HDFC Bank spokesperson who says that credit cards are not meant to be used as prepaid cards or savings accounts, and that there is a recent guideline that asks banks to refund excess credit balances on cards within a certain period.

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World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2023 observed on 15 September

• World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD) is observed on September 15th every year to increase awareness about lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
• Lymphoma is a cancer that occurs when certain white blood cells, called lymphocytes, grow abnormally and multiply out of control. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• The symptoms of lymphoma can vary but often include swollen lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and itching. Diagnosis and treatment depend on the type and stage of lymphoma.
• WLAD aims to educate the public about lymphoma, support and inform patients and their families, promote research and advocacy, reduce stigma and discrimination, and improve access to quality healthcare for lymphoma patients.
• WLAD was initiated by the Lymphoma Coalition in 2004, an international network of lymphoma patient organizations. WLAD activities include educational campaigns, fundraising events, support group meetings, and awareness-raising initiatives.

Cabinet Approves eCourts Phase III For 4 Years

• The Cabinet has approved e-Courts Phase III, a project to modernize the Indian judiciary by using technology to improve efficiency and accessibility.
• The project has a budget of Rs 7,210 crore and will run for four years, aiming to digitize court records, implement smart scheduling, and re-engineer judicial processes.
• The project is a continuation of the previous phases of e-Courts, which introduced the National Judicial Data Grid and other technological upgrades to court operations.
• The project is expected to benefit lawyers, litigants, judges, and the public by reducing delays, enhancing transparency, and simplifying legal procedures.

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Birth certificate to be single document for Aadhaar, driving license, jobs from next month

• The news is about the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, which will make birth certificates the single document for various essential services from October 1, 2023.
• The Act aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of public service delivery by creating a national registry of births and deaths under the Registrar General of India and allowing data sharing with authorized authorities.
• The Act also expands the list of reporters for births and deaths, such as adoptive parents, surrogate parents, and single parents, and introduces an appeals process for any disputes with the registrars.
• The Act was passed by both houses of Parliament during the Monsoon Session and will affect the use of birth certificates for services such as school and college admissions, driving license, voter list preparation, Aadhaar number, marriage registration, and government job appointments.

Cabinet Approves Expansion of Ujjwala Yojana

• The news is about the third phase of the Ujjwala scheme, a government initiative to provide free gas connections to 7.5 million poor households for three years.
• The scheme aims to improve the health and well-being of women and children by providing them with clean cooking fuel and reducing their exposure to smoke and pollution from traditional fuels.
• The scheme was launched in 2016 and has already covered 96 million households in the previous two phases. The third phase will expand the coverage to more rural and remote areas and include more vulnerable groups.
• The scheme is funded by the government and implemented by state-run oil marketing companies. The beneficiaries receive a deposit-free gas connection, a stove, and a refill at no cost1.
• The scheme has been praised for its economic and social empowerment of women, who can save time and money on fuel collection and cooking, and use them for education, skill development, and income generation.

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GSITI Signs MoU With ISRO For Five Years

• The news is about the MoU signed between GSITI and ISRO for a five-year partnership under the NNRMS programme.
• The MoU aims to provide training programs to strengthen capacity building in the domains of mineral resources and disaster management using geo-informatics, remote sensing, and GIS technologies.
• The MoU was signed on September 11, 2023 by Dr. Mathew Joseph from ISRO and Dr. J.V. Thomas from GSITI, Hyderabad, which is the leading institute for this project.
• The MoU will benefit around 300 participants from various government departments, PSUs, academic institutions, and research organizations by enhancing their skills and knowledge in these critical areas.
• The MoU will also contribute to the development and management of natural resources, as well as the mitigation and response of disasters, in the country.

YES BANK and BriskPe launch innovative cross-border payment solutions for MSMEs

• The news is about a partnership between YES BANK and BriskPe, a fintech company that specializes in cross-border payments.
• The partnership aims to empower exporters and importers by launching BriskPe A2A, a suite of solutions that offer a seamless and efficient platform for international trade and payments.
• BriskPe A2A enables customers to collect payments in over 36 foreign currencies from more than 180 countries and settle them in INR within a single business day, eliminating the hassles and delays of traditional transactions.
• The partnership also enhances the global competitiveness of Indian businesses, especially MSMEs, by providing them with clean cooking fuel, reducing their exposure to smoke and pollution, and simplifying their legal procedures.

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BAE Systems and L&T to introduce advanced all-terrain vehicle to India

• BAE Systems, a global defense and security company, and L&T, an Indian industrial conglomerate, have partnered to bring the BvS10 all-terrain vehicle to the Indian armed forces.
• The BvS10 is a versatile and robust vehicle that can operate in extreme environments such as snow, sand, and water. It can carry up to 14 personnel and various equipment and weapons.
• The partnership is part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to boost domestic defense manufacturing and innovation. The vehicles will be produced at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Gujarat.
• The BvS10-Sindhu is a customized variant of the BvS10 that meets the specific needs of the Indian Army. It will undergo trials this month to demonstrate its capabilities and performance.
• The BvS10 also has a Mobile Short Range Air Defence system (MSHORAD) configuration, which enables it to detect and destroy aerial threats up to 5 kilometers above ground level.

India becomes the 13th nation to issue OIML certificates for weights and measures

• The news is about India’s achievement of becoming the 13th nation authorized to issue International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) certificates for weights and measures.
• The announcement was made by the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry on September 14, 2023, in New Delhi, highlighting India’s metrological capabilities and commitment3.
• The OIML certificates are required for selling weights and measures in the international market. They ensure that the products conform to the international standards and regulations.
• The new authority will benefit both domestic and international manufacturers of weighing and measuring instruments, as they can now get their products tested and certified within India, saving time and money.
• The new authority will also boost India’s revenue, employment, and competitiveness in the global market, as well as facilitate international trade and cooperation in the field of legal metrology.

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LIC pays Rs 1,831 crore dividend to the government for 2022-2312

• The news is about the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the largest insurer in the country, handing over a dividend cheque of Rs 1,831.09 crore to the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on September 15, 2023.
• The dividend represents the government’s share of LIC’s profits for the financial year 2022-23, which was approved by LIC’s shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on August 22, 2023.
• The government holds a majority stake of 96.5 percent in LIC, which is planning to launch a mega IPO of Rs 21,000 crore in the near future5. LIC’s shares are currently trading at Rs 660.80, lower than the issue price of Rs 949 per share.
• LIC reported a robust profit growth of Rs 9,544 crore for the first quarter of 2023, compared to Rs 683 crore in the same period last year. The profit was driven by a higher net investment income from its huge asset base.