Daily GK Update: 8th June 2023

 National Affairs

1. Kerala topped the 5th State Food Safety Index among the large states

• Union Minister for Health, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has unveiled the 5th State Food Safety Index on the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2023.
• Among the larger states, Kerala secured the top ranking, followed by Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
• Smaller states: Goa, Manipur and Sikkim
• UTs: J&K, Delhi and Chandigarh
• The index has evaluated the performance of states and UTs across six different aspects of food safety.
• He has also unveiled Rapid Food Testing Kit (RAFT) portal.

 National Affairs

2. Government approves over Rs 89,000 crore revival package for BSNL

• Union Cabinet has approved the third revival package for BSNL with a total outlay of 89,047 crore rupees, includes an allotment of 4G/5G spectrum through equity infusion.
• The authorised capital of BSNL will be increased from 1,50,000 crore rupees to 2,10,000 crore rupees.
• BSNL will emerge as a stable telecom service provider focused on providing connectivity to the remotest parts of India.
• First revival package approved in 2019, amounting to 69,000 crore rupees.

 Banking & Finance

3. RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5%

• The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee in its second bi-monthly monetary policy meeting of FY24 has kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%.
• Aim: Focus remains on withdrawal of accommodation
• The RBI also retained FY24 GDP growth forecast at 6.5%, while expects FY24 CPI inflation to be at 5.1% (from 5.2%).
• Other rates:
  • Standing Deposit Facility Rate: 6.25%
  • Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 6.75%
  • Bank Rate: 6.75%
  • Foreign exchange reserves(as on June 2): $595.1 billion

 Banking & Finance

4. Bangladesh receives USD 858 Million World Bank Financing

• The World Bank and Bangladesh signed two financing agreements totaling USD 858 million to enhance climate-resilient agricultural growth, and improve road safety
• The World Bank will provide USD 500 million to Bangladesh for Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience.
• USD 358 million will be provided to Bangladesh for Road Safety Project, a first dedicated road safety project in South Asia supported by the World Bank

 International Affairs

5. Mumbai most expensive city for expats in India

• According to the Mercer's Cost of Living survey 2023, Mumbai has ranked the most expensive city in India for expatriates.
• After Mumbai, cities like New Delhi and Bengaluru fall on the second and third place in the most expensive list for expats list in India.
• In global ranking, Mumbai has been positioned at 147, New Delhi (169), Chennai (184), Bengaluru (189), and Pune (213).
• Hong Kong and Singapore are the most expensive cities for international employees this year.

 Important Dates

6. World Ocean Day 2023: 8th June

• World Oceans Day is observed every year on 8 June to create awareness about the significance of oceans, and importance of preserving and conserving oceanic resources.
• 2023 theme: Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing
• The concept was originally proposed by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• This day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008.

 Important Dates

7. World Brain Tumor Day 2023: 8th June

• World Brain Tumor Day is celebrated annually on June 8 for creating awareness about brain tumors
• Theme 2023: Protect yourself – keep away from stress
• Brain tumor is characterised by abnormal growth of cells in the brain, it can be grown in any part of the brain or skull including the underside of the brain, brainstem and nasal cavity among others
• Researchers have identified more than 120 types of brain tumors which are based on the brain tissue that it impacts

 National Affairs

8. Cabinet approves continuation of Exploration of Coal and Lignite Scheme

• The union cabinet has approved the continuation of the Central Sector Scheme of “Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme”.
• It has been approved with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 2980 crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26 co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
• Two broad stages conducted under this scheme: (i) Promotional (Regional) Exploration (Outlay: Rs.1650 crore), (ii) Detailed Exploration in Non-Coal India Limited blocks (Outlay: Rs.1330 crore)

 International Affairs

9. 2.3 billion people globally use polluting fuel to cook: Report

• According to a report, up to 2.3 billion people around the world are still using polluting fuels to cook and 675 million don't have electricity.
• Report by: IEA, International Renewable Energy Agency, U.N. Statistics Division, World Bank, and WHO
• The report also highlighted that 1.9 billion won't have clean cooking opportunities by 2030.
• The global access to electricity increased from 84% in 2010 to 91% (2021), but the pace of growth slowed in 2019-2021.

 Banking & Finance

10. SIDBI signs pact with HDFC Bank to offer financial solutions to MSMEs

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed an MoU with HDFC Bank for providing financial solutions to MSMEs.
• Under the MoU, SIDBI and HDFC Bank will work together to provide complete financial product and services to the customers under MSMEs.
• Aim: To facilitate providing complete financial solutions to MSMEs in a seamless manner
• This arrangement will enable MSMEs to avail financial products and services of both the banks.

 Agreement

11. Microsoft, AirJaldi Networks collaborate to provide internet access

• Microsoft and AirJaldi network signed a three-year MoU to provide internet access for underserved communities in 12 states.
• Aim: To advance access to high-speed internet and meaningful connectivity, build solutions for broadband adoption and digital transformation
• The program will expand AirJaldi Networks into three new states namely, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, with an increase in the number of network locations from 40 to 62 in 12 states.

 Obituaries

12. Award-winning Doordarshan news anchor Gitanjali Aiyar passes away

• Gitanjali Aiyar, one of India's first English female news presenters on national broadcaster Doordarshan, passed away.
• Aiyar joined Doordarshan in 1971 and was awarded the best anchor four times.
• She also won the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Outstanding Women in 1989.
• She was a diploma holder from the National School of Drama (NSD).
• She had also been a popular face in several print advertisements and even acted in Sridhar Kshirsagar's TV drama "Khandaan".

 Science & Technology

13. GalaxEye to launch world’s 1st multi-sensorearth observation satellite

• An IIT-Madras-incubated space-tech startup, GalaxEye, is building the world’s first multi-sensor earth observation satellite
• It will launch its first satellite ‘Drishti Mission’ in 2024.
• It is being build with the help of a visible spectrum camera providing synchronised imaging that can take multiple images at the same time.
• GalaxEye is working on deploying a satellite constellation to provide the comprehensive imagery dataset from space.

 State Affairs

14. Centre agrees to sanction Rs 12,911 crore for Polavaram Project

• The Andhra Pradesh government has informed that the central government has agreed to sanction Rs 12,911 crore to Andhra Pradesh for completing the first phase of Polavaram Project.
• The sanctioned amount of Rs 12,911 crore also includes Rs 2,000 crore for the construction of the diaphragm wall, which was washed away due to flood.
• Polavaram Project is an under construction multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.