Current Affairs September 19 2018

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 INDIAN AFFAIRS

Cabinet Approvals on 19th September
i. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved proposal of setting up a Coal Gasification based fertilizer project in Talcher Fertilizer Ltd. (TFL) by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF).
ii. Cabinet approved enhancement of Honorarium to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) and AWHs Under Anganwadi Services (Umbrella ICDS Scheme)
iii. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved construction of new line between Budni to Indore (Mangaliyagaon) with approximate length of 205.5 Km.
iv. On September 19, 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved ASHA Benefit Package w.e.f. October, 2018.
v. On September 19, 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Revised Cost Estimate of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) partially funded by World Bank………………………..Click here to Read more

PM Modi’s 2-day visit to Varanasi
On September 17, 2018, PM Narendra Modi went on a 2-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.
Objective:
Development of Varanasi to make it the gateway to Eastern India.
Key Points:
On September 17, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Varanasi on the occasion of his 68^th birthday.
i. He interacted with children of a primary school, aided by non-profit organisation “Room to Read“.
ii. He also interacted with students of Kashi Vidyapeeth.
iii. A coffee-table book titled “Narendra Modi: A Charismatic & Visionary Statesman” written by BJP president Amit Shah was released.
iv. Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi released a book ‘The Making Of A Legend’.
On September 18, 2018, PM Narendra Modi visited the Banaras Hindu University.
i. He announced to develop BHU as the medical hub of eastern India.
ii. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects worth 557 crore rupees.
iii. The projects are:

• The expansion of the Babatpur-Shivpur road,
• Ring Road phase I,
• Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for Puraani Kashi,
• An Atal Incubation Centre at BHU and
• The Regional Ophthalmology Centre at BHU.

Uttar Pradesh:
♦ Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath.
♦ Governor: Ram Naik.
♦ National Parks: Dudhwa National Park, Philibit Tiger Reserve , Sandi Bird Sanctuary.
♦ UNESCO Heritage Site: Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri.

Union Home Secretary launched ‘e-Sahaj’ portal for grant of Security Clearance
On September 18, 2018, the Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba launched an online ‘e-Sahaj’ portal in New Delhi.

Objective:
To grant Security Clearance.
Key Points:
i. An applicant can:

• Submit application online and
• View the status of his application from time to time.

ii. This will provide an easier, faster and transparent way to monitor applications.
Union Home Minister: Shri Rajnath Singh.
Minister of State for Home Affairs:  Shri Kiren Rijiju, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.

Government & FAO launched agriculture project in 5 states with $33.5 million GEF grant
On September 18, 2018, the government along with UN body FAO launched an agricultural project worth USD 33.5 million on conservation of biodiversity and forest landscapes.
i. This project is being funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF).
ii. The project, to be implemented in five landscape in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
iii. The project would involve:
Biodiversity conservation, land degradation, climate change mitigation and sustainable forest management.
Background:
Agriculture with its allied sectors, is the largest source of livelihoods in India, with 82 per cent of the country’s farmers being small and marginal.
FAO:
♦ Full Form: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
♦ Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
♦ Members: 194.

Odisha CM launches star-rating system for industries to reduce air pollution
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a ‘Star Rating program’ for industries to support State Pollution Control Board’s (SPCB) regulatory efforts to reduce pollution.

i. This program is the first in India to use continuous monitored emissions data obtained in real time from major industrial plants.
ii. It will rate industries from 1 to 5 based on their compliance to pollution standards set by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
iii. It has been developed by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago.
iv. Also, a website was launched where citizens can access information regarding this.

Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurates ISRO’s Technology Incubation Centre in Agartala
On 18^th September 2018, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Technology Incubation Centre in Agartala, through video-conferencing from Bengaluru.

Key Points:
i. The ISRO Technology Incubation Centre has been developed at the campus of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala.
ii. It was launched at the 1^st edition of ‘SPACETRONICS’ organised by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA).
iii. ISRO would incubate start-ups that could build applications, provide services and products that can be used internally and utilise opportunities globally.
Some National Parks in Tripura:
♦ Clouded Leopard National Park
♦ Rajbari National Park

Maharashtra Government to set up new Cyber University
On September 18, 2018, the Maharashtra government announced the proposal of construction of new Cyber University.
Objective:
To mitigate cyber threats.
Key Points:
i. Estimated cost for the phase I of the project is Rs.80 crore.
ii. It will provide the following:

• Train 3000 professionals,
• Fight online cyber attacks,
• Conduct cyber forensics.
• Provide training on 15 other IOT areas such as Data analytics etc.

iii. The certification would be on the lines of Microsoft Certified Professional Program.
Background:
According to Symantec’s analysis in April, India is the 3^rd most vulnerable country for risk of cyber-attack.
This is a part of the state’s aim to set up Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.
Maharashtra:
♦ Capital: Mumbai.
♦ Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis.
♦ Governor:  C. Vidyasagar Rao.
♦ National Parks: Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve, Chandoli National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Navegaon National Park

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India & Sri Lanka sign MoU for construction of 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse in Dambulla
On 17^th September 2018, India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for construction of a 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

Key Points:
i. The MoU was signed by: Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Mr. K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary to Sri Lankan ministry of national policies and economic affairs.
ii. A 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse for fruits and vegetables to reduce its post-harvest losses, will be constructed with an Indian grant assistance of 30 crore Sri Lankan rupees.
iii. This project is in continuation of Indian Government’s efforts to tie up with Sri Lankan Government in people oriented development projects.
iv. India’s overall contribution for development assistance to Sri Lanka is nearly 3 billion US dollars. Out of this, 550 million US dollars is pure grant assistance.
About Sri Lanka:
♦ Capital – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Administrative), Colombo (Commercial)
♦ Currency – Sri Lankan rupee
♦ Official languages – Sinhala, Tamil
♦ President – Maithripala Sirisena
♦ Prime Minister – Ranil Wickremesinghe

PM, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, jointly unveil a railway project
On September 19, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Dhaka-Tongi-Joydebpur Railway Project.
i. It will strengthen national and urban transport in Bangladesh

BANKING & FINANCE

India & the World Bank signed loan for US$ 74 Million for Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP)
On September 18, 2018, India and World Bank signed a loan agreement for IBRD Credit of US$74 million for Uttrakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP).
Objective:
To improve the quality and relevance of training at priority Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
Key Points:
i. It was signed between:
Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and
Mr. Jorge Coarasa, Acting Country Director, World Bank (India).
ii. Additionally, Project Agreement was also signed by: Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Skill Development and Employment, Government of Uttrakhand and Mr. Jorge Coarasa, Acting Country Director, World Bank.
iii. It has a 5-year grace period, and a maturity of 17 years. The closing date for the Project is 30^th June, 2023.
iv. It has 3 components:

• Improving the quality and relevance of ITI Training,
• Increasing the number of skilled workers certified under National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQE) – Compliant Short Term Trainingand
• Policy and Institutional Development and Project Management.

v. Under this project, 25 ITIs have been selected – 13 from District Centers and 12 linked with industries.
vi. It will also have 2 out of 4 women’s ITIs in the State.
Uttarakhand:
♦ Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat
♦ Governor: Smt. Baby Rani Maurya.
♦ National Parks: Corbett National Park, Gangotri National Park, Govind National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Rajaji National Park, Valley of Flowers National Park.

India Post Payments Bank, Bajaj Allianz tie up for insurance products sale
On 18^th September 2018, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) signed a 5-year Corporate Agency Agreement with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (BALIC) to offer life insurance products to its consumers
i. BALIC is the first life insurer to tie up with IPPB since its launch on 1^st September 2018. Initially, simple term and Point of Sale (POS) products of BALIC will be sold through IPPB.
ii. Postmen and ‘Grameen Dak Sevaks’ will be involved in selling insurance solutions. These products will be initially available in 3250 access points in IPPB’s network. Later it will be extended to 155,000 post offices throughout India.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

BSE, NSE get SEBI approval to launch commodity derivatives
BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange) have received approval from SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to launch commodity derivatives segment from 1^st October 2018.
Key Points:
i. Initially, BSE will enter commodity derivatives segment with non-agriculture commodities like metals. Later it will include agriculture commodities.
ii. In December 2017, SEBI had announced that, from October 2018, unified exchange regime will be launched through which stock exchanges will be allowed to offer trading in commodity derivatives.
iii. NSE Clearing Limited has also received clearance from SEBI to carry out clearing and settlement of trades executed in the commodity derivatives segment on NSE.
iv. BSE will conduct mock trading in live environment for commodity derivatives segment on 22^nd September 2018.
About BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange):
♦ Chairman – S Ravi
♦ Corporate Office – Mumbai
About NSE (National Stock Exchange):
♦ Chairman – Mr. Ashok Chawla
♦ Corporate Office – Mumbai

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Anindo Majumdar appointed Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
On 18^th September 2018, Financial Commissioner of Delhi Anindo Majumdar was appointed Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
i. Earlier, he was the chief secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He is a 1985-batch IAS officer of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Mizoram Union Territories (AGMUT cadre).
ii. His appointment has been approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas appointed Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commisssion
Director of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas has been appointed Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission.

i. He replaces Shekhar Basu. His appointment has been approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for a period till he attains 64 years of age (till 3 May 2021) or till further orders, whichever is earlier.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Dr. Mahesh Sharma released 2 books of National Museum
On September 17, 2018, the Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharmareleased two important publications of the National Museum in New Delhi.
Objective:
To generate awareness about the activities of National Museum.
Key Points:
i. They are :
Sindhu Ghati Sabhyata:Ek Parichay (Hindi) and
The National Museum Research Bulletin Number 10: Special issue (In House Publication).
ii. This revived the National Museum Research Bulletin after a long gap of 16 years.
About the books:
i. The National Museum Research Bulletin No.10: Special issue has a number of research paper that highlight the collection, display and education aspect that the National Museum engages with.
ii. Sindhu Ghati Sabhyata : Ek Parichay is a Hindi version of An Introduction To Indus Valley Civilization.
iii. The authours of this book are:

• Dr. Sanjib Kumar Singh (Head Publication Department, National Museum),
• Dr. Gunjan Srivastava(Deputy Superintending Archeologist, ASI) and
• Shri Rajesh Kumar( Hindi Translator, National Museum).

The National Museum:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi.
♦ Director General: BR Mani.