1. The unemployment rate in India at 6.1% in 2017-18
India's unemployment rate rose to 6.1% in the 2017-18 fiscal year, the statistics ministry said on Friday, matching data earlier leaked to a newspaper that said it was the highest level in at least 45 years. The data was released a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for his second term. India’s unemployment rate stood at 6.1% in FY18, official data showed, highlighting the challenge that confronts the Narendra Modi-led government. The data isn’t comparable with that of past years, the government contended, in effect seeking to refute previously leaked reports that said they showed the unemployment rate was at a 45-year high.
2. Infant Mortality rate (IMR) in India falls but the pace of change slows
Going by the current pace of decline, India is unlikely to achieve its target of reducing the infant mortality rate to less than 39 per 1,000 live births by 2015-end, said a senior UNICEF official. "The current Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of India, as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2013, is 40 per 1,000 live births while the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) as per SRS 2012 is 52 per 1,000 live births.
3. India, US, Japan and Australia for ASEAN-led architecture mechanism
Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) Wednesday said it has signed an agreement to provide USD 750 million equivalent in Indian rupee long-term financing to electrify railway tracks in India. It is the largest single non-sovereign loan ever committed by ADB to Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) to fund the railways track electrification project, ADB said in a release. As part of a broad modernization program that will help India's railway sector transition to electric power and away from dependence on fossil fuels, it said.
4. ADB Approved $350 Million Loan For Chhattisgarh Road Improvement Project
Multi-lateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) Friday said it has okayed USD 350 million loans for a road project in Chhattisgarh. ADB has approved a USD 350 million loans to rehabilitate and upgrade state highways and major district roads in Chhattisgarh, which will improve connectivity and access to basic services and livelihood opportunities, it said in a release. Total project cost is USD 521.69 million of which the government will finance USD 171.69 million. Chhattisgarh is overwhelmingly rural (about 96 percent of the area) rich in natural resources and a major producer of minerals such as coal and iron ore.
5. Two-wheeler loan named ‘Sabse Khaas Loan’ launched by L&T Finance
Two-wheeler loan named 'Sabse Khaas Loan' launched by L&T Finance. 04 June 2019 Current Affairs: Indian multinational conglomerate, L&T Finance, a subsidiary of L&T Finance Holdings, launched 'Sabse Khaas Loan' for two-wheeler customers. This scheme provides burden-free and low-cost finance for two-wheelers eliminates the need for hypothecation of the vehicle to the financier over the tenure of the loan.
6. Government Met The Fiscal Deficit Target Of 3.4% For FY 2018-19
The government has met the fiscal deficit target of 3.4% of GDP for FY19, after sharply cutting spending towards the end of the financial year as revenue fell short of estimates. The provisional fiscal deficit for FY19 has pegged at Rs 6.45 lakh crore, data released by the Controller General of Accounts showed on Friday, exceeding the Rs 6.34 lakh crore provided in the revised estimates presented in the interim budget on February 1.
7. Indian economy lost its spot as the world’s fastest-growing economy to China
India has lost its spot as the world's fastest-growing major economy after it grew more slowly than expected in the first three months of 2019. Official data showed the economy grew 5.8%, which is slower than the 6.4% growth registered by China, and down from 6.6% in the previous quarter. Official data showed the economy grew 5.8%, which is slower than the 6.4% growth registered by China, and down from 6.6% in the previous quarter.
8. Rajasthan Health Department Conferred With WHO’s Award For Tobacco Control
The World Health Organization has selected the Rajasthan government’s Medical & Health Department for its award this year in recognition of its achievements in the field of tobacco control. The department’s Additional Chief Secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh, will receive the award at a function to mark World No Tobacco Day in New Delhi on Friday. The Health Department of the State is the only government body in the country which will be awarded for its tobacco-free initiatives.
9. Eminent Consumer Brand Veeba foods appoint Shah Rukh Khan as its brand Ambassador for its new brand “V-Nourish”
Veeba is one of the leading Condiments & Sauce company in India. The main focus on Quality, Innovation and ‘Better for You’ products have helped us stand out in a very cluttered retail market. It has launched 4 variants namely Choco-Cookie flavor, Strawberry flavor, Badam flavor and Kesar Pista flavor, V-Nourish.
10. The chief of Spicejet Ajay Singh elected to the board of IATA
SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh was elected to the board of the IATA, less than 3 months after the airline joined the global grouping. The new board of the global airlines' grouping would be chaired by Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, who took charge after the conclusion of the IATA annual general meeting today. Low-cost carrier SpiceJet's Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh were Sunday elected to the board of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), less than three months after the airline joined the global grouping.
11. Rajasthan Health Department Conferred With WHO’s Award For Tobacco Control
The World Health Organization has selected the Rajasthan government’s Medical & Health Department for its award this year in recognition of its achievements in the field of tobacco control. The department’s Additional Chief Secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh, will receive the award at a function to mark World No Tobacco Day in New Delhi on Friday. The Health Department of the State is the only government body in the country which will be awarded for its tobacco-free initiatives.
12. ISS spacewalk successfully carried out for the 217th time
ISS spacewalk successfully carried out for the 217th time by 2 cosmonauts. 31 May 2019 Current Affairs: Two Russian space agency Roscosmos' cosmonauts have successfully carried out the 217th spacewalk for International Space Station's support, maintenance and upgrade. This was Commander Kononenko's fifth spacewalk and the first-ever for Ovchinin.
13. IIT-Madras unveiled Data Platform to Improve the efficiency of Government Infrastructure Development
The initial focus of the project by IIT Madras will be on the road Sector, which has received the highest private investment among all infrastructure sectors; PPP of Indian roads sector is the largest in the world. India's infrastructure network is among the largest in the world. The Government of India along with different State Governments and Local Agencies has embarked on an ambitious investment-led plan to boost the capacity and quality of infrastructure services.
