Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 06 July 2022
Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 06 July 2022
::NATIONAL::
Odisha tops state ranking for implementation of National Food Security Act 2022
- Odisha's transformational food security story is going to be a role model for the world as the state, which was known for its hunger issues in the pre-2000 era, has been ranked No. 1 in India in the domain of food security.
- From importing rice from other states in the pre-2000 era, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's food security model has transformed Odisha into the No. 1 state in India in the domain of food security.
- In the recently released State Ranking Index for National Food Security Act (NFSA) by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, Odisha has been placed at the top.
- Apart from successfully implementing the National Food Security Programme by providing food grains to 3.24 crore people of Odisha, the Patnaik-led state government has also more than doubled the production of food grains in the coastal state. Today, Odisha is the third largest contributor of rice to India's PDS system.
- The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) headquartered in Rome recently invited Patnaik to share the transformational progress made by Odisha in strengthening livelihood and food security, with specific focus on marginalised communities and women.
- Patnaik delivered an address in the presence of United Nations' WFP Executive Director David Beasley on how over the last two decades, Odisha has been through a transformational journey in the field of food production, food security, livelihood and disaster management, among others.
::INTERNATIONAL::
New program launched by US and allies: 'Partners in the Blue Pacific'
- To reinforce its Indo-Pacific strategy, and in what is being seen as a response to China’s aggressive outreach to Pacific Island states, the United States (US) - along with Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Japan - announced a new Partners in Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative.
- In a joint statement, the five countries said PBP was an “inclusive, informal mechanism” to support Pacific priorities, in line with the principles of “Pacific regionalism, sovereignty, transparency, accountability, and most of all, led and guided by the Pacific Islands”.
- In recent months, China has stepped up its engagement with Pacific Island states, including by signing a security agreement with the Solomon Islands. This month, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, also undertook an eight country tour in the region and hosted a China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji.
- The US and its allies said they would together, as well as individually, focus on three priority areas.
- The first will be delivering results for the Pacific more effectively and efficiently. “We will map existing projects and plan future ones, seeking to drive resources, remove duplication, and close gaps, which will avoid greater burdens and lost opportunities for Pacific governments and Pacific people.”
- The final area of focus will be expanding cooperation between the Pacific and the rest of the world. PBP, the five countries said, will encourage and facilitate greater engagement with the Pacific by any other partner that shares the Pacific’s values and aims to work constructively and transparently to benefit the people of the region”.
- The group said that the mechanism will remain inclusive, informal and open to cooperating with additional partners, but emphasised that it will be led and guided by the Pacific Island states.
::ECONOMY::
Government changed the bank board into the Bureau of Financial Services Institutions
- The government has transformed Banks Board Bureau (BBB), the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions, into Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) by making some amendments.
- Guidelines for selection of general managers and directors of public sector general insurance companies have been made part of FSIB, sources said.
- The amendments were required as the Delhi High Court in its order last year said the BBB is not a competent body to select the general managers and directors of state-owned general insurers.
- Subsequently, at least half a dozen newly-appointed directors of non-life insurers had to vacate their positions, sources said.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has asked the Department of Financial Services to carry out necessary modifications in the Nationalized Banks (Management and Miscellaneous Provisions) Scheme of 1970/1980 with the approval of Finance Minister, and then notify the government resolution for establishing FSIB as a single entity for making recommendations for appointments of whole time directors and non-executive chairman of banks and financial institutions.
::Sports::
Bumrah breaks Lara's world record, scored 29 runs against Brad
- India captain JaspritBumrah bludgeoned a hapless Stuart Broad for 29 runs to create a world record for maximum runs off a single over in Test cricket, beating the legendary Brian Lara’s feat by one run.
- The world record stayed with Lara for 18 years — he had hit South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson for 28 runs in a Test match in 2003-04, which included four fours and two sixes off six legal deliveries.
- Former Australia player George Bailey had also scored 28 in an over but he was behind Lara in terms of boundary count.
- Broad, who had also been hit for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj Singh in the inaugural World T20 in 2007, gave away 35 runs in the 84th over of the Indian first innings in the fifth rescheduled Test here. There were six extra runs — five wides and a no-ball.
- In the end, the Indian skipper was not out on 31 off 16 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.