Daily Current Affairs 17th October, 2023

Daily Current Affairs 17 October for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

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NATIONAL NEWS

PMJDY continues to grow, adding ₹30,000 crore to total balance in H1 
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has achieved remarkable success, with over 50 crore beneficiaries and a significant increase in total balance. The scheme’s growth, especially post-Covid-19, reflects its effectiveness in promoting financial inclusion.

• The total balance in the basic bank accounts of the Centre’s flagship financial inclusion grew by about ₹30,000 crore in the first half of the current financial year to reach ₹2.05 lakh crore as of October 4, 2023, as against ₹1.75 lakh crore in the comparable period of FY23, as per the latest government data.

Jharkhand becomes first state to take steps to ensure minimum wages for workers
Jharkhand is making history by becoming the first state in India to take steps towards including gig workers, such as Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber, and Rapido employees, under the ambit of minimum wages. This initiative is a significant move towards ensuring fair compensation for those in the gig economy.

• A committee has been formed by the Jharkhand State Minimum Wage Advisory Council, under the state’s labor department, to address this issue. The committee comprises prominent figures from various sectors, including Labour Commissioner Sanjiv Kumar Besra, Minimum Wage Board Director Rajesh Prasad, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries President Kishor Mantri, Jharkhand INTUC President Rakeshwar Pandey, and representatives of trade unions like CITU, BMS, and AITUC.

India and UK hold first 2+2 dialogue of senior officials
The inaugural India-UK ‘2+2’ foreign and defence dialogue saw the two sides focusing on ways to boost cooperation in a range of key areas such as trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, civil aviation, health and energy.

• At the senior official-level dialogue, the two sides also discussed international developments including in the Indo-Pacific region and considered the possibility of enhancing anti-terror collaboration, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• The dialogue took place as the two sides are exploring the possibility of a visit to India by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later this month.

Female labour force participation rate reaches 37% in 2023
Periodic Labour Force Survey Report 2022-23 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation shows that the Female Labour Force Participation Rate in the country has improved significantly by 4.2 percentage points to 37.0% in 2023, as per ‘usual status’ concept of measuring labour force participation.

• This significant jump in the female labour force participation rate is an outcome of the decisive agenda set by the Government for ensuring women’s empowerment through policy initiatives aimed at their long term socio-economic and political development.

UP government launches ‘Swachch Tyohar, Swasth Tyohar’ campaign for festivals
In view of the festivals, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has started a special cleanliness campaign ‘Swachch Tyohar, Swasth Tyohar’ (Clean Festival, Healthy Festival), especially in and around temples, an official statement issued here said.

• The urban development and energy departments have called for celebrating Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali festivals as ‘Swachch Tyohar, Swasth Tyohar’ by giving the mantra ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ for maintaining cleanliness in all municipal bodies of the state.

BANKING & FINANCE

ADB approves $181 Million loan for development in Ahmedabad’s peri-urban areas
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved a USD 181 million loan to build quality infrastructure and services toward improving urban livability and mobility in the peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• The Ahmedabad peri-urban livability improvement project is set to build 166 kilometers of water distribution network, 126 kilometers of climate-resilient stormwater drainage, 300 kilometers of sewerage systems, and four sewage treatment plants, as outlined by the Manila-based multilateral development bank.
• Furthermore, the project will also contribute to the enhancement of 10 junctions along the existing Sardar Patel Ring Road, which will improve the connectivity between the peri-urban regions and Ahmedabad city.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

NSDC partnering Coca-Cola to launch Super Power Retailer Programme
To empower the retailer community in the states of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), announced a partnership with Coca-Cola India to launch the Super Power Retailer Program under the Skill India Mission. The program is being piloted in the state of Odisha.

• The launch of the Super Power Retailer will empower retailers and provide them with training to expand their businesses and enhance consumer experiences. The initiative will play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s economy by skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the retailers.

Indian economy projected to grow at 6.3 per cent in FY24: FICCI
The Indian economy is projected to grow by 6.3 per cent in FY24 with a minimum and maximum growth estimate of 6.0 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively, according to the latest Economic Outlook Survey released by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

• As per the chamber, the median growth forecast for agriculture and allied activities has been put at 2.7 per cent for 2023-24.
• This marks a moderation vis-a-vis growth of about 4.0 per cent reported in the year 2022-23. The El Nino effect has had an impact on the spatial distribution of rainfall this monsoon season.

Wholesale inflation remains in negative for 6th consecutive month at 0.26% in September
Wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation remained in negative territory for the sixth consecutive month in September 2023. As per data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, WPI Inflation saw a negative growth of 0.26 per cent in September 2023. Vegetable price inflation eased to 1.54 per cent in September from 5.62 per cent in August.

• India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation eased for the second consecutive month in September to 5.02 per cent. This was supported by a slower rise in vegetable prices and an overall decline in food inflation. Reserve Bank of India keeps a close on CPI data as it’s crucial for its bi-monthly MPC meeting.

AWARDS

69th National Film Awards 2023 conferred by President Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 69th National Film Awards in New Delhi. Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman received the ‘DadaSaheb Phalke Award at the ceremony. Nikhil Mahajan received the National Film Award for Best Direction for his Marathi film ‘Godavari’. Allu Arjun received the Best Actor award for the action drama film Pushpa: The Rise.

• The Best Actress Award was shared by Alia Bhatt for the biographical crime drama film Gangubai Kathiawadi and by Kriti Sanon for the comedy-drama movie Mimi.
•  ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ directed by R Madhavan took home the Best Feature Film The Kashmir Files directed by Vivek Agnihotri received the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration.
• Pallavi Joshi received the Best Supporting Actress Award for ‘Kashmir Files’ and Pankaj Tripathi bagged the Best Supporting Actor Award for ‘Mimi’.  RRR bagged the award for Best Popular Film, providing wholesome entertainment.

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