1) Government Withdraws Data Protection Bill,2021
•The government has withdrawn the Personal Data Protection Bill from Parliament as it looks to come up with a “comprehensive legal framework” for regulating online space including separate legislation on data privacy, the overall internet ecosystem, cybersecurity, telecom regulations, and harnessing non-personal data for boosting innovation in the country.
•According to IT Ministry sources, the government is targeting the winter session of Parliament to introduce the new legislation.
•This comes after nearly four years of the Bill being in the works, where it went through multiple iterations including a review by a Joint Committee of Parliament (JCP), and faced pushback from a range of stakeholders including tech companies and privacy activists.
2) For next “Make in Odisha” summit in 2022, Odisha and FICCI ink an MoU
•A Memorandum of Understanding between the state-run Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha and the business organisation Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) designates the latter as a national industry partner for the Make in Odisha Conclave 2022. The Odisha government’s Principal Secretary for Industries, Hemant Sharma, emphasised that “Make in Odisha” is the state’s most entrepreneurial event and draws investors, businesspeople, and industrialists alike.
3) Suresh N Patel sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner
•Vigilance Commissioner, Suresh N. Patel was appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner. He has been working as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) since June this year. He was sworn in as the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
4) UN General Assembly deemed healthy environment a Human Right
•The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution that recognised everyone’s right to a healthy environment. It was stated that the action is a crucial one in halting the alarming decline of the natural environment. India supported the resolution but abstained from one of the resolution’s key clauses. It expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution’s methodology and content.
5) Andhra Pradesh emerges as winner in Utilisation of Agri-Infra funds
•When it comes to using cash for agricultural infrastructure, Andhra Pradesh comes out on top (Agri Infra Fund). By placing a strong emphasis on infrastructure development at the farm gate, it has become the best state. At a ceremony in New Delhi, Union Minister of Agriculture and Family Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar presented B. Srinivasa Rao, CEO of State Rythu Bazars, with the award for the best state in the nation in terms of utilising Agri Funds in the fiscal year 2021–22.
6) 6 National Highway projects launched in MP by Union Minister
•In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 6 National Highway projects totaling 119 km and costing Rs. 2300 crore were formally opened and the foundation stone was laid by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari. Speaking at the event, Shri Gadkari stated that the projects being launched will facilitate progress by improving connectivity in Indore and the state.
7) Chabahar Day Celebrations: India focuses on Central Asia relations
•31 July was designated Chabahar Day in Mumbai by the Ministry of Port, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) to commemorate the Chabahar – Link to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) – Connecting Central Asian Markets. According to the MoPSW press release, Sonwal mentioned in his talk that India’s ambition is to turn Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar into a transit centre and connect it to INSTC to reach out to Central Asian countries.
8) Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 approved by Lok Sabha
•The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 is approved by the Lok Sabha. The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 already protects a number of species, but the proposed legislation would also implement CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Rajya Sabha still needs to pass the Bill, though.
9) Ministry for Commerce & Industry: India recognising over 75000 startups so far
•Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal has announced that India has achieved a landmark milestone, wherein 75000 startups have been recognized in the country. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized more than 75,000 startups- a milestone which coincides with the 75th year of independence.
10) Hunger and Food Security Approaching the World
•Hunger and Food insecurity is caused by insufficient intake of dietary supplements or lack of food, which results in uncomfortable or painful sensations. When a person doesn’t consume a sufficient amount of calories or simply food on daily basis, he or she can suffer from chronic hunger and food insecurity. Food consumption is important for every person to maintain a healthy life and growth. Hunger makes it difficult for one to grow into a healthy person. Less than 1800 calories per day are undernourishment or food deprivation.
11) IFS officer Shweta Singh appointed as Director of PMO
•According to a Personnel Ministry, 2008 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Shweta Singh was appointed as a director in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Singh’s appointment for a period of three years from the date of her joining.
•The ACC has cancelled the appointment of Aniket Govind Mandavgane, a 2009-batch IFS officer, as the Deputy Secretary in the PMO. Mandavgane was on July 18 appointed as the Deputy Secretary.
12) Kerala CM launched eggs and milk scheme for Anganwadi children
•Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated a project of the Women and Child Development department. This project help to provide milk and eggs to children at all Anganwadis in the state in a bid to improve their nutrition levels. The state government has set aside over Rs 61.5 crore to include milk and eggs in the Anganwadi menu this financial year.
13) Commonwealth Games 2022 Medal Tally: India Won 18 Medal Till Now
•Commonwealth Games 2022 Medal Tally or Birmingham 2022 started on 28th July and will continue till 8th August 2022 in Birmingham, England. India is participating 18th time in the Commonwealth Games. The Indian contingent has 322 members for the Commonwealth Games 2022. This year Commonwealth Games has introduced women’s cricket which is a new start and new opportunity for India to gain the lead. So far in Birmingham 2022, India has won fourteen medals including 5 Golds, 6 Silvers, and 7 Bronze medals.
•Mirabai Chanu brings the first gold medal for India in Weightlifting women’s 49kg, in Commonwealth Games 2022. Women’s Weightlifting got one gold and one silver in 55kg by Bindyarani Devi. Men’s Weightlifting got 4 medals for India. Gold by Jeremy Lalrinnunga in 67 kg, Silver by Sanket Sargar in 55kg, and another Gold by Achinta Sheuli in 73 Kg.
•On the other hand, the Indian women’s Cricket team lost the first match with Australia, however, the Indian women’s team defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets in Commonwealth Games 2022. Pakistan won the toss, and Pakistani team captain Bismah Maroof choose to bat first. The team was all out for 99 runs in 18 overs. Team India under the Captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, chased the target in no time and score 100 by losing only 2 wickets.
•India ranking 7th in the Commonwealth Games 2022 Medal Tally with 18 medals. Australia is ranking first on the medal tally of Commonwealth Games 2022. The Australian team is leading with 22 Gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 17 Bronze medals. The total medal count of Australia is 52.
