Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 09 July 2021

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 09 July 2021

::NATIONAL::

West Bengal Assembly passed resolution for constitution of Legislative Council

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on Tuesday was able to pass a resolution in the state assembly in favour of creating a legislative council in the state under Article 169 of the Constitution.
The resolution was passed with 196 votes in favour and 69 against it. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has a strength of 294 members but only 265 were present during the voting.
Creating a legislative council was one of the key poll promises made by Mamata Banerjee. In the run-up to the assembly polls, she had said TMC leaders who have not been given tickets would be sent to the legislative council.
Senior TMC leader and state minister ParthaChatterjee tabled the resolution in the Assembly on Tuesday.
As per law, West Bengal can have a maximum of 94 members in the legislative council (one-third of total assembly seats), in case the resolution gets support of the LokSabha and the RajyaSabha.

::INTERNATIONAL::

China to safeguard its firms against US blacklist

China will take all necessary measures to protect its companies, the foreign ministry said on Friday when asked about a Reuters report that the United States is set to add more Chinese firms to its economic blacklist.
The Biden administration is expected as early as Friday to add at least 10 more Chinese companies and other entities to the list over alleged human rights abuses and high-tech surveillance in the Chinese region of Xinjiang, the report said.
Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the comments at a regular news conference in Beijing.

::ECONOMY::

Cabinet approves amendment in Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to increase investment

The Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi today gave its approval to the following modifications in Central Sector Scheme of Financing Facility under ‘Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’:
a: Eligibility has now been extended to State Agencies/APMCs, National & State Federations of Cooperatives, Federations of Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) and Federations of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
b: At present Interest subvention for a loan uptoRs. 2 crore in one location is eligible under the scheme. In case, one eligible entity puts up projects in different locations then all such projects will be now be eligible for interest subvention for loan uptoRs. 2 crore. However, for a private sector entity there will be a limit of a maximum of 25 such projects. This limitation of 25 projects will not be applicable to state agencies, national and state federations of cooperatives, federations of FPOs and federation of SHGs. Location will mean physical boundary of a village or town having a distinct LGD (Local Government Directory) code. Each of such projects should be in a location having a separate LGD code.
c: For APMCs, interest subvention for a loan uptoRs. 2 crore will be provided for each project of different infrastructure types e.g. cold storage, sorting, grading and assaying units, silos, et within the same market yard.
d: The power has been delegated to Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to make necessary changes with regard to addition or deletion of beneficiary in such a manner so that basic spirit of the scheme is not altere The period of financial facility has been extended from 4 to 6 years upto 2025-26 and overall period of the e: scheme has been extended from 10 to 13 upto 2032-33.

:: SCIENCE AND TECH::

DRDO and AICTE launched M.Tech program in Defense Technology

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched M.Tech. Program in Defence Technology on July 8. Institute of Defence Scientists & Technologists (IDST) will provide support to AICTE affiliated Institutes/Universities, IITs, NITs and private engineering institutes to conduct this program in online and offline format.
Congratulating both the institutes for this new program, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "the program will help in achieving ‘AatmaNirbharBharat’envisioned by Prime Minister NarendraModi."
The program will have six specialized streams - Combat Technology, Aero Technology, Naval Technology, Communication Systems & Sensors, Directed Energy Technology and High Energy Materials Technology.
The students will also be provided opportunities to conduct their main thesis work in DRDO laboratories, Defence PSUs and Industries.
In his address, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO congratulated DRDO, AICTE and industries for evolving the PG program. He expressed hope that such a specialised program will enable the creation of a large pool of talented workforce for defence sector. He called upon the industry leaders to extend their support for this program and offer opportunities to the students.

::SPORTS::

Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin wins Serbia Open chess title in Belgrade

Young Indian Grandmaster NihalSarin on Thursday emerged champion in the Masters’ section of the Serbia Open Chess Championship in Belgrade.
This is the second consecutive tournament victory for sixteen-year old Sarin after he claimed the title in Silver Lake Open.
Sarin, who became a Grandmaster in 2018 at the age of 14, won six games and drew three, to remain unbeaten. Sarin, who started the Serbia Open with wins in the first two rounds, ended the tournament with three successive wins and a draw in the final round, finishing a clear half point ahead of the field.