Current Affairs Assam – August 2018
( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the month of August 2018 )
August 2018 – eBook Monthly PDF | eBook Monthly Quiz PDF
Go To Assam Current Affairs Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz
August 26
Satheesh Reddy appointed as chairman of DRDO
Distinguished Indian Aerospace Scientist and Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy has been appointed as the secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr Reddy on 25th Aug.
FACTFILE – Dr Satheesh Reddy
- Dr Satheesh Reddy is well known for his significant contribution towards indigenous design, development, deployment of diversified Missiles & Strategic Systems, Guided Weapons, Avionics Technologies and for sustained efforts in advancement of Aerospace Technologies and Industries in India.
- He graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from JNTU, Anantapur and received his MS and PhD from JNTU Hyderabad.
- Dr Sateesh Reddy joined the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in the year 1986.
- Earlier, Satheesh served as Director of the Research Centre Imarat, a key laboratory of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex. He has made significant contributions to indigenous design and development of missile technologies and avionics.
- Satheesh Reddy has been selected for the Institution of Engineers (India) – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Award for Engineering Excellence-2015, the joint award established by the both institutes, to give global recognition to engineering contribution par excellence in India. He is also a recipient of National Aeronautical Prize and National Design Award.
Satyadev Narayan Arya took charge as the Governor of Haryana
Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Krishna Murari on 25th Aug administered the oath of office to Satyadev Narayan Arya as the Governor of Haryana at an impressive ceremony at Raj Bhavan. The newly appointed Governor met the people who had come to attend the ceremony and accepted their greetings.
Rs 3 lakh crore loans to come under IBC for resolution
Around Rs 3 lakh crore worth of loans might come in for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). According to RBI’s circular over restructuring bad loans had mandated banks to take loan accounts which remain unresolved for over 180 days, to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under the IBC. At the xpiry of the deadline ending on August 27, banks will be required to push unresolved cases to NCLT benches for resolution.
While banks have worked on resolution in some cases in the intervening period, a large number of cases still needs to be pushed to the NCLT.
FACTFILE – The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC)
- IBC is the bankruptcy law of India which seeks to consolidate the existing framework by creating a single law for insolvency and bankruptcy.
- The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2015 was introduced in Lok Sabha in December 2015 and passed by Lok Sabha on 5 May 2016. The Code received the assent of the President of India on 28 May 2016. Certain provisions of the Act have come into force from 5 August and 19 August 2016.
- The bankruptcy code is a one stop solution for resolving insolvencies which at present is a long process and does not offer an economically viable arrangement. A strong insolvency framework where the cost and the time incurred is minimised in attaining liquidation has been long overdue in India.
- The code will be able to protect the interests of small investors and make the process of doing business a less cumbersome process.
August 27
India to launch FAME India II for electric vehicle adoption
India will launch in New Delhi the second phase of the FAME India scheme offering incentives for mass adoption of electric vehicles with an outlay of Rs. 5,500 crore, on September 7.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi would unveil the scheme at the inaugural session of the ‘MOVE’, a global mobility summit to be organized in New Delhi on September 7-8.
The second phase of the scheme spanning five years will offer subsidy to all categories of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers including taxis and electric buses used in public transportation, to promote green vehicles and check pollution.
At present, the incentive is being offered on the purchase of strong hybrid and electric cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Strong) Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India-I) scheme.
Under the Phase II of the scheme, depending on technology, battery-operated scooters and motorcycles are eligible for incentives ranging between Rs. 1,800-29,000, while in three-wheelers it is between Rs. 3,300 and Rs. 61,000.
FACTFILE – FAME India
- To promote eco-friendly vehicles, the government formally launched the FAME India scheme offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for bikes and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars.
- FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India) is a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
- The scheme envisages Rs 795 crore support in the first two fiscals starting with the current year.
- As per the scheme, depending on technology, battery operated scooters and motorcycles will be eligible to demand incentives ranging between Rs 1,800 to Rs 29,000. Similarly in three-wheelers it is from Rs 3,300 and Rs 61,000.
- In four-wheelers, the incentives range from Rs 13,000 to Rs 1.38 lakh, while in light commercial vehicles it is from Rs 17,000 to Rs 1.87 lakh, and for buses it is from Rs 34 lakh to Rs 66 lakh.
Ministry of Defence clears purchase of 111 naval helicopters
The Ministry of Defence has given its nod to acquisition of 111 utility helicopters for the Indian Navy. While the 111 naval helicopters will come at a cost of over Rs 21,000 crore, the ministry has approved separate procurement proposals worth nearly Rs 25,000 crore.
A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the ministry’s highest decision-making body on procurement, cleared the proposals. The DAC also granted approval to a few other procurement proposals amounting to Rs 24,879.16 crore, which included one on buying 150 indigenously designed and developed 155 mm advanced towed artillery gun systems for the Indian Army at an approximate cost of Rs 3,364.78 crore.
The procurement of the naval utility helicopters will be the first project under the ambitious strategic partnership (SP) model which provides for roping in private firm to build select military platforms in India in partnership with foreign defence manufacturers. The utility helicopters will be used in attack missions as well as for search and rescue and surveillance operations.
The indigenously designed guns will bedeveloped by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and will be manufactured by production agencies, as nominated by DRDO.
The DAC also accorded approval to procure 24 naval multi role helicopters (NMRH) which will have the capability to engage in anti-submarine warfare. The MRHs are an integral part of the frontline warships like the aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes.
FACTFILE – Defense Acquisition Council (DAC)
Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) was Set Up in August 29, 2001, to counter corruption and speed up decision-making in military procurements.
Head of the Council: Defence Minister
Other members:
- Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (member secretary)
- The Minister of State of Defence,
- The Defence Secretary,
- The head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),
- The Chief of Defence Staff (when appointed) and
- Chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force
- The Secretary, Defence Production,
- The Financial Adviser
- The Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS)
- The Special Secretary (acquisition)
The DAC structure ensures that there are in-built checks and balances in relation to procurements. For instance, the armed forces are well represented, ensuring that the defence bureaucracy does not exercise overwhelming influence on decision- making. The adequate mix of bureaucracy and service officers is also reflected in other bodies involved in acquisition, under the overall supervision of the DAC.
Functions of DAC:
- Will give policy guidelines to acquisitions, based on long-term procurement plans
- Will also clear all acquisitions, including imported equipment and those produced indigenously or under a foreign licence
To monitor the acquisition process, the DAC will preside over three wings –
- Defence Procurement Board which will deal with purchases
- Defence Production Board which will supervise procurement from indigenous sources, such as ordnance factories and equipment manufactured under a foreign licence
- Defence Research and Development Board
Assam to set up a Cabinet panel on climate change
Assam State Cabinet decided to constitute a committee on climate change that would be headed by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The committee will look into various aspects related to adverse effects on climatic behaviour in the State and suggest ways and means to overcome the challenges.
The Cabinet also decided to constitute a biotechnology society in the State. The society to be headed by the Chief Minister will have the minister concerned as member secretary, informed Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.
A decision on service tax due to movie hall owners was also taken at the Cabinet meet, besides exempting 50 per cent GST for tourism societies operating in the State for the next 10 years. The Cabinet decided to increase the period of maternity leave for the State government employees from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
August 2018 – eBook Monthly PDF | eBook Monthly Quiz PDF
Go To Assam Current Affairs Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz
