Home » Current Affairs Date: 09 August 2020

Current Affairs Date: 09 August 2020

  • The centre released 553 cr rupees to state to promote mechanization in agriculture sector, the amount is released under “Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)” scheme. The scheme was launched in 2014. In 2020-21 budget, Rs 1033 cr is provided for this scheme. Aim of this scheme is to inclusive growth of farm mechanization to boost productivity.
  • Mahinda Rajapaksa took oath as the Sri Lankan Prime Minister for the fourth time on 09 August 2020. Oath ceromony held at the sacred Rajamaha Viharaya, a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, national capital Colombo. Mahinda’s brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa “President of Srilanka” also attended the oath ceremony.
  • Virtual GeM-CII National Public Procurement Conclave held 09 Aug 2020. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said all procurement processes have been made public on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal from July 1 to increase vendors participation and increase competitiveness, and Indian Railways will soon integrate its procurement process with the GeM.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a debt financing facility of Rs 1 lakh crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to boost the country’s agriculture sector. Under this, Farmer Producer Organisation Schemes, self-help groups and agri-entrepreneurs can take loans to build infrastructure for post-harvest management and community farming assets, like cold storage, collection centres and processing units.
  • Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Piyush Goyal inaugurated the Rail Museum via video link in Hubballi, Karnataka on 09 Aug 2020. Hubballi Museum is in three sections, the two cottages named Malaprabha and Ghataprabha and a outdoor section. The museum aims at preserving and portraying the glorious heritage of various branches of Railways and the displaying the gradual evolution of advanced systems in all spheres of Railway working.
Award:
  • The Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environmental Protection 2020 was virtually presented to former Director General of Indian Council for Agricultural Research “R.S. Paroda” on 08 Aug 2020. The online meeting was organised by the Rotary Club of Madras East. The award was presented for his outstanding contribution in the area of agricultural research, education and extension, especially in the field of conservation and management of agrobiodiversity.
Death:
  • Eminent Kashmiri educationist Agha Ashraf Ali died in Srinagar on 08 August 2020. He was 98. He worked tirelessly for decades for the education of the people of Kashmir. He is considered responsible for the education revolution among Muslims in Kashmir.