Current affairs 20 August 2024

Centre unveils new system to study weather, crop patterns.

• The Union Agriculture Ministry launched a digital geo-spatial platform, Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS), which will share real-time data-driven insights on weather patterns, soil conditions, crop health, crop acreage, and advisories with all stakeholders such as farmers, experts, and policymakers.
• The platform can also be helpful in monitoring drought.

Centre finalises tender to procure 1,000 GPUs under IndiaAI Mission.

• The move is part of the Rs 10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission to establish a computing capacity of more than 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs).
• It will help in developing foundational models with a capacity of more than 100 billion parameters trained on datasets covering major Indian languages for priority sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and governance.

JP Nadda inaugurates "First Policy Makers" Forum’ in New Delhi.

• Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers JP Nadda inaugurates First Policy Makers Forum’ in New Delhi.
• An international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 15 countries is participating in the forum hosted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of External Affairs.

Nirmala Sitharaman reviews performance of Public Sector Banks and RRBs.

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the performance of Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks at a meeting in New Delhi.
• FM urged RRBs to enhance digital services, focus on MSME and agricultural credit, and maintain asset quality while leveraging local connections.
• FM reviwed deposit growth, the credit-to-deposit ratio, and asset quality of PSBs Bank.

BHAVISHYA: ranked 3rd best in NeSDA, 2021.

• BHAVISHYA - Promoting Digital Empowerment and Ease of Living for Pensioners.
• It was made mandatory for all central civil Ministries and Departments w.e.f 01.01.2017.
• Bhavishya has been ranked 3rd best in NeSDA (National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment), 2021.
• The system laid down a common methodology incorporating all the rules and regulations of CCS Pension Rules, 2021.