Daily Current Affairs, 10th August 2019

1) President approves Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019

President has approved the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The bill amends the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The act aims to make Indian roads safer, reduce corruption and use technology to overhaul the country’s transportation system. Some main features of the act are:

•The Bill proposes a scheme to allow cashless treatment of victims in a road accident during the golden hour. The golden hour is defined as the time period of up to one hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is the highest.

•The Bill proposes to increase the minimum compensation for hit and run cases. In case of the death, the compensation has been raised from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2,00,000, and in case of grievous injury it will be from Rs. 12500 to Rs. 50,000.

•The new law also allows the centre to ask manufacturers to recall vehicles in case of defects that cause harm to the environment.

•The law has proposed stiffer penalties for traffic rule violations such as over-speeding, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and other offences such as not wearing a helmet or driving without licence.

2) President hosts ‘At Home’ reception for Freedom Fighters

•The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, hosted an ‘At Home’ reception for freedom fighters. The reception was hosted on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Quit India Day (August 9) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On the occasion, the President honoured and felicitated 78 freedom fighters from across the country.

3) ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ to be rolled out in India by June 1, 2020

•“One Nation One Ration Card” scheme to be rolled out in India from June 1, 2020. To implement the scheme successfully, the centre has kick started inter state portability of ration card pairing two states each.

•The pairs are made between Telangana-Andhra Pradesh as well as Maharashtra-Gujarat. This means that beneficiaries living in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh can buy their quota of ration from the Public Distribution System (PDS), also called ration shops, in either of the states.



4) KVIC launches “Leather Mission” on World Tribal Day

•The Khadi and Village Industry Commission has launched “Leather Mission” on World Tribal Day. Under this mission, the commission will give leather kits to the leather artisans across the nation.

•KVIC also distributed 50 leather kits and 350 bee-boxes in Rajasthan’s Sirohi district on the World Tribal Day.

5) UP’s “Vriksharopan Mahakumbh” drive creates world record

•Uttar Pradesh’s “Vriksharopan Mahakumbh” drive has created world record after planting more than 22 crore saplings. The drive was launched on the occasion of 77th anniversary of Quit India Movement. More than 22 crore saplings were planted at 12.2 lakh locations under the drive in state. Another record of “largest distribution of saplings in the world” was created when 76823 saplings were distributed free in just 6 hours in Prayagraj.

6) INS Tarkash arrives in Norway for a 3-day visit

•INS Tarkash has arrived in Norway for a 3 day visit as part of Western Fleet Overseas Deployment. The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the operational command of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. INS Tarkash is one of the most powerful frontline frigates of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors.

7) 3rd International Electric Vehicle (EV) Conclave held in Manesar

•The 3rd International Electric Vehicle Conclave was inaugurated at the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar, Haryana. The Conclave was held to create a knowledge sharing platform to ensure flow of information at all levels in the automotive sector.

•The conclave was organized by ICAT in association with India Energy Storage Alliance with a focus on new trends and challenges in the field of electric mobility.

8) BCCI has agreed to come under NADA ambit

•The Board Of Control For Cricket In India has agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency. This decision makes Indian Cricket’s governing body a sports federation as per government norms. As a result, all cricketers will now be tested by NADA.