UPSC Daily Current Affairs : 30-June-2020

Topic Covered :

4 RAFALES TO LAND IN INDIA BY JULY-END

Why in news?

The first batch of four Rafale fighter jets is scheduled to arrive in India in the last week of July amid continuing tensions on the border with China.

Highlights:

The four aircraft are scheduled to depart from France on July 27 and fly to India with a stopover at the Al Dhafra air base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
There was a possibility of one more aircraft being delivered but was not confirmed yet.
The arrival of the first batch of jets was delayed from May to July due to the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown in both India and France.

Source : Hindu ( Page 1, 30 June 2020 )

INDIA, BHUTAN SIGN PACT FOR FIRST JOINT HYDEL PROJECT

Why in news?

India and Bhutan took a major step forward for the construction of the 600 MW Kholongchhu project, their first hydropower joint venture project in Bhutan’s less developed eastern region of Trashiyangtse.

Highlights:

The project’s “Concession agreement,” marks a shift as it is the first time an India-Bhutan hydropower project will be constructed as a 50:50 joint venture, not as a government-to-government agreement.
Both Foreign Ministers called the agreement a “milestone” in the India-Bhutan partnership, under which four hydropower projects have been built in the last 30 years totalling a capacity of 2,100 MW, and another two are under construction.
The Kholongchhu project is one of four additional projects agreed to in 2008, as a part of India’s commitment to help Bhutan create a total 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020.
According to the agreement finalised, the construction for the Kholongchhu Hydro Electric Power (HEP) project will begin soon, and be completed in the second half of 2025.

Source : Hindu ( Page 9, 30 Jun. 20 )

‘ISRAEL’S ANNEXATION PLANS ARE ILLEGAL’

Why in news?

Israel’s aim to annex parts of the occupied West Bank was clearly “illegal”, the UN’s human rights chief said on Monday, warning that the consequences could be “disastrous”.

Highlights:

Just days before Israel intends to kick-start plans to annex its West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley, UNHRC added its voice to the chorus urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to drop the proposal.
International condemnation of the possible Israeli annexations has mounted ahead of July 1, when the Jewish state could take its first steps toward implementing part of a West Asia peace plan.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposals pave the way for annexing key parts of the West Bank.
Ms. Bachelet urged Israel to shift course, warning that “the shockwaves of annexation will last for decades, and will be extremely damaging to Israel, as well as to the Palestinians.”
She warned that “any attempt to annex any part of the occupied Palestinian territory will not only seriously damage efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region, it is likely to entrench, perpetuate and further heighten serious human rights violations that have characterised the conflict for decades.”

Source : Hindu ( Page 14, 30 Jun. 20 )

PM SVANIDHI PORTAL LAUNCH (BETA VERSION)

Why in news?

Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Housing & Urban Affairs, today launched the Beta version of PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi “PM SVANidhi” Portal in presence of officials from States/UTs, Banks, Payment aggregators and other stakeholders.

Highlights:

Leveraging on the digital technology solutions, the portal provides for an integrated end to end IT interface to users for availing benefits under the scheme.
An integrated IT platform (pmsvanidhi.mohua.gov.in) to provide an end-to-end solution for scheme administration is being developed by SIDBI, which is the scheme implementation partner for PM SVANidhi.
The portal will facilitate multiple scheme functions viz. loan application flow, Mobile App, e-KYC of applicants, integration with UIDAI, Udyamimitra, NPCI, PAiSA, lenders, States, ULBs and other stakeholders, calculation of digital incentives and payment of interest subsidy etc.
One of the important features of the scheme is to nudge the beneficiaries towards digital transactions by engaging with the Digital Payment Aggregators.
The PM SVANidhi Portal shall start accepting loan applications from Street Vendors from July 2nd, who can apply directly or with the help of CSCs/ ULBs/ SHGs.

De Facto IAS