Category: Current Affairs

Assam Current Affairs – January 29 – 31, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – January 29 - 31, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of January 29 – 31, 2019 )

January 2019 – Monthly PDF | Monthly Quiz eBook PDF

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January 29, 2019

India to participate in PISA-2021
  • The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry signed a pact with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the participation of students from Central government schools to take the PISA-2021.
  • PISA is a competency-based test, which tests the learning levels of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics and science.
  • With the signing of the pact, Indian students aged 15 will be able to take the Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA, which is conducted every three years.
  • Under this initiative, students will be tested in reading, maths, and science. I am sure that Indian students will come out with flying colors.
  • Schools run by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and schools in the UTs of Chandigarh will participate.
Regional medicine warehouse opened at Pamohi, Assam
  • Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Chemicals & Fertilizers Mansukh L Mandaviya inaugurated the Regional Warehouse under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadi Pariyojana (PMBJP) at Pamohi.
  • It is set up by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), which would facilitate the seamless supply of medicines to all PMBJP Kendras functioning across the North East.

FACTFILE – Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI)

  • Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
  • BPPI was established in December, 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India.

January 30, 2019

India ranked 78 in Global Corruption Index 2018

India has improved its ranking by three positions in the Global Corruption Index 2018 while the US has dropped out of top 20 countries for the first time since 2011.

India is ranked 78 in 2018, improving it’s position by 3 place from 81st in 2017.

The CPI measures public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, drawing on 13 expert assessments and surveys of business executives to give each country a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Point2Remember: Denmark and New Zealand topped the 2018 index while Somalia, Syria and South Sudan were at the bottom.

Central assistance of Rs 7,214 crore from for Puducherry, 6 states

  • The Centre announced additional assistance of Rs 7,214 crore to six states and Puducherry, which were affected by natural disasters like floods, landslides, drought, cloudburst and cyclone during 2018-19.
  • A high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh approved the additional central assistance of Rs 7,214 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
  • The committee has decided to provide Rs 317.44 crore to Himachal Pradesh, Rs 191.73 crore to Uttar Pradesh, Rs 900.40 crore to Andhra Pradesh, Rs 127.60 crore to Gujarat, Rs 949.49 crore to Karnataka, Rs 4,714.28 crore to Maharashtra and Rs 13.09 crore to Puducherry (cyclone).

FACTFILE – The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

  • NDRF is a specialised force constituted “for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • The Apex Body for Disaster Management in India is the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
  • The Chairman of the NDMA is the Prime Minister.
  • The responsibility for disaster management in India’s federal system is that of the State Government.
  • When ‘calamities of severe nature’ occur, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected state, including deploying, at the State’s request, of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and such communication, air and other assets, as are available and needed.
  • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is under the National Disaster Management Authority.
Padma Shri Award to Assam’s Ilias Ali and Udhab Kumar Bharali
  • Assam surgeon Ilias Ali and social innovator Udhab Kumar Bharali have been hounoured with Padma Shri awards, India’s the fourth highest civilian award.
  • Ilias Ali is known for working on family planning and education of Muslim women, whereas Udhab Kumar Bharali has more than 100 innovations to his credit, mostly at the grassroots level.
  • Two others from North East region, to get the Padma Shri award are archer Bombayla Devi Laishram from Manipur and musician Thanga Darlong from Tripura.

FACTFILE – Padma Shri Award

  • It is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. It is awarded by the Government of India, every year on India’s Republic Day.
  • Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 to be awarded to citizens of India in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, medicine, social service and public affairs. It has also been awarded to some distinguished individuals who were not citizens of India but did contribute in various ways to India.
Bharat Ratna Award to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
  • India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna is conferred on Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the music maestro form.
  • Hazarika is only the second person from Assam, after the state’s first chief minister Gopinath Bordoloi, to have been honoured with Bharat Ratna which is conferred “in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order”.

FACTFILE – Bharat Ratna Award

  • The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
  • Instituted in 1954, the award was originally limited to achievements in the arts, literature, science, and public services, but the government expanded the criteria to include “any field of human endeavour” in 2011.
  • Bharat Ratna recipients rank seventh in the Indian order of precedence.
  • The first recipients of the Bharat Ratna were C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and  C. V. Raman, who were honoured in 1954.
Assam launched subsidy scheme for farmers
  • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ceremonially launched the Farmers’ Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme.
  • The Assam Farmers’ Credit Subsidy Scheme under which all short-term crop loan availed from scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks and the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank will be availed at 25 per cent government subsidy for any loan availed between April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Govt will provide subsidy to a maximum limit of Rs 25,000 per farmer for a minimum loan amount of Rs 1 lakh.
  • Under the Assam Farmers’ Interest Relief Scheme, farmers can avail short-term crop loan up to Rs 2 lakh at zero per cent interest rate. It will provide a one-time cash incentive up to Rs 10,000 per account for activating the overdue and NPA KCC account.
  • The scheme was launched marking the Krishak Swahid Divas to honour the martyrdom of nearly 140 peasants who laid their lives in 1894 protesting against the increasing land tax rate and other exploitation by the British Raj.

FACTFILE – Patharughatar Ran / Patharughatar Uprising

  • On 28 January 1894, around 140 peasants were killed and a large number of people were injured in an unprovoked police firing while protesting against enhanced revenue.
  • It is also known as Assam’s Jallianwala Bagh.
  • Since 2000, the army has been paying homage to the martyrs on 29 January every year and has also set up martyrs’ column in memory of the 140 peasants.

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Assam Current Affairs – January 22 – 28, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – January 22 - 28, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of January 22 – 28, 2019 )

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January 22, 2019

India to issue chip-based e-passport
  • Indian Govt is working to issue chip-based e-passports to Indian citizens under a centralized passport system. This will prepare a centralized system connected to the passport service for all, work is on for issuing of the chip-based e-passport.
  • Work was on to simplify the process of issuing visas to PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards.
India, Mauritius discuss strengthening bilateral ties, cooperation in Blue Economy
  • India and Mauritius discussed strengthening the entire gamut of their bilateral ties and discussed ways to further expand cooperation in areas like Blue Economy during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth.
  • The talks focussed on initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral ties, including finalisation of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement (CEPCA).

FACTFILE – India–Mauritius bilateral Relations

  • Diplomatic relations were established in 1948, before Mauritius became independent state.
  • The cultural affinities and long historical ties between the two nations have contributed to strong and cordial relations between the two nations.
  • More than 68% of the Mauritian population are of Indian origin, most commonly known as Indo-Mauritians.
  • India and Mauritius co-operate in combating piracy, which has emerged as a major threat in the Indian Ocean region and Mauritius supports India’s stance against terrorism.
  • A key turning point in the relationship came in 1983, when India came to the point of military intervention in Mauritius in Operation Lal Dora to ensure that it stayed in India’s strategic orbit.
  • In 2015, Indian Prime Minister signed an agreement to set up eight Indian-controlled coastal surveillance radar stations.
  • Economic and commercial corporation has been increasing over the years.
  • India is Mauritius’ largest source of imports since 2007 and Mauritius imported US$816 million worth of goods in the April 2010-March 2011 financial year.
  • Mauritius has remained the largest source of FDI for India for more than a decade.
  • India is Mauritius’ largest trading partner.
  • Mauritius is part of India’s security grid including Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station of Indian Navy’s National Command Control Communication Intelligence network.
India’s first all-woman political party ‘National Women’s Party (NWP)’ launched
  • India’s first-ever all-women political party, the National Women’s Party (NWP) launched in Mumbai and it will contest half of the 545 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 elections.
  • The NWP has been founded by a medico and social activist, Dr. Shwetha Shetty, and will strive for 50 per cent reservation for women in the lower House.
  • The NWP plans to create an environment for full development of women which enables them to realise their full potential and help achieve the goals of empowerment.
Himachal CM lays foundation stones of Smart City projects
  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur laid the foundation stones of projects totaling Rs. 145.43 crore as part of the Smart City Mission, including digitisation and uplift of infrastructure.
  • He also launched an online portal to provide information about the availability and delivery of services in the city. It was developed at a cost of Rs 1.29 crore.
  • He laid the foundation stones of a rooftop solar power plant , smart roads, intelligent barriers, bus shelters, parks and playgrounds, sewerage treatment and water supply projects.

FACTFILE – Himachal Pradesh

  • Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is bordered by states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west, Haryana on the southwest, Uttarakhand on the southeast, and Tibet on the east.
  • After independence, many of the hilly territories were organized as the Chief Commissioner’s province of Himachal Pradesh which later became a UT. In 1966, hilly areas of neighboring Punjab state were merged into Himachal and it was ultimately granted full statehood in 1971.
  • Agriculture, horticulture, hydropower and tourism are important constituents of the state’s economy.
  • The hilly state is almost universally electrified with 99.5% of the households having electricity as of 2016. The state was declared India’s second open-defecation free state in 2016.
  • According to a survey of CMS – India Corruption Study 2017, Himachal Pradesh is India’s least corrupt state.

January 23, 2019

PM inaugurated the Subhas Chandra Bose museum at Red Fort
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Subhas Chandra Bose museum at Red Fort to mark the leader’s 122nd birth anniversary.
  • The museum on Bose and the Indian National Army showcases various artifacts include wooden chair and sword used by the leader, medals, badges, uniforms etc. related to Subhash Chandra Bose and INA.
  • The Yaad-e-Jallian Museum provides an authentic account of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that happened on April 13, 1919. The museum will also showcase the heroism, valour and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the World War-I.
  • The Museum on 1857-India’s first war of Independence portrays the historical narrative of 1857 war of independence, showcasing the valour and sacrifices made by Indians during the period.
NFR launches all-women squad ‘Joymati Bahini’ for safety of women passengers
  • To ensure security of women train passengers, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Lumding division has launched a dedicated RPF Women Squad named as Joymati Bahini. The squad comprises women sub-inspectors and constables of the Railway Protection Force.
  • Joymati Bahini was officially launched by B.B. Mishra, Inspector General cum Principal Chief Security Commissioner of NFR at Kamkhaya Railway Station.
  • The main aim of the Joymati Bahini is to strengthen women security around Guwahati region within railway premises and trains.
  • Members of the Joymati Bahini started their duty by interacting with women passengers at the Guwahati and Kamkhya Railway stations.
  • Their main focus area is to enhance women security by ensuring sanctity of reserved compartments, women compartments
Assam Government nod for 10 per cent quota for economically backwards
  • The State government decided to give ten per cent reservation for economically backward classes in government jobs. The decision was announced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary after a cabinet meeting.
  • The cabinet also decided to release Rs 95 crore to the water resources department for embankment repair and relief for flood affected farmers.
  • The government will provide Rs 5,000 each to five lakh farmers under agriculture implements and tools scheme.
  • The cabinet also decided to fix the minimum salary for labour welfare officers in tea gardens at Rs 15,000.
  • The government will construct hospitals under the Assam Tea Plantation Provident Fund and Pension Fund Scheme.
  • The government will distribute 20 per cent of the surplus amount from Ayusman Bharat and Atal Amrit Yojana among working doctors, nurses, sweepers and other staff of hospitals.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – January 15 – 21, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – January 15 - 21, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of January 15 – 21, 2019 )

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January 15, 2019

India-Myanmar begin ‘IMBEX 2018-19’ Army exercise
  • The second India-Myanmar bilateral Army exercise ‘IMBEX 2018-19’ commenced at Chandimandir military station, with the aim of this joint training event is to train the Myanmar delegation for participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
  • During the exercise, focus will be on training the Myanmar Army on tactics, procedures, expertise and methodology required by the contingent of the member nations for serving in UN peacekeeping operations.
  • The Myanmar delegation will form the core group of trainers who will further impart training to Myanmar Army personnel who are likely to serve in UN peacekeeping operations.
  • This is the second military training exercise on UN peacekeeping between the two countries being conducted on Indian soil.

FACTFILE – United Nations peacekeeping

  • It is a role held by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations as “a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace”.
  • Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed.
  • Accordingly, UN peacekeepers can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.
  • The United Nations Charter gives the United Nations Security Council the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain international peace and security.
  • In 2007, a peacekeeper volunteer was required to be over the age of 25 with no maximum age limit.
  • Peacekeeping forces are contributed by member states on a voluntary basis.
  • As of 30 June 2018, there are 104,680 people serving in UN peacekeeping operations (90,454 uniformed, 12,932 civilian, and 1,294 volunteers).
  • Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are among the largest individual contributors with around 8,000 units each.
Jaideep Govind appointed Secretary General of NHRC
  • Senior IAS officer Jaideep Govind was appointed Secretary General of National Human Rights Commission.
  • Before this appointment, he was posted as Special Secretary and Financial Adviser in the ministries of rural development, panchayati raj, drinking water and sanitation.
  • Govind, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh Cadre, has held various important posts in various capacities such as Additional Secretary in Home Ministry and has looked after critical areas of left-wing extremism and police modernization.
  • He addressed the UN Forum in New York on human trafficking and attended an important meeting on trafficking of women and children in Bangkok.

FACTFILE – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India

  • NHRC is an autonomous public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance in 1993 and was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (TPHRA).
  • It is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the Act as “rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants”.
  • Chairman  – Justice H. L. Dattu

January 16, 2019

Central government allocated Rs 6,084 crore for MGNREGA 2018-19
  • The Central government allocated an additional Rs 6,084 crore to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MGNREGA).
  • The total allocation to the scheme to Rs 61,084 crore in 2018-19, making it the highest ever allocation.

FACTFILE – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act”, MGNREGA

  • It is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’.
  • It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
  • The act was first proposed in 1991 by P.V. Narasimha Rao , it was finally accepted in the parliament and commenced implementation in 625 districts of India.
  • It is “the largest and most ambitious social security and public works programme in the world”.
  • MGNREGA is to be implemented mainly by gram panchayats (GPs). The involvement of contractors is banned. Labour-intensive tasks like creating infrastructure for water harvesting, drought relief and flood control are preferred.
Government forms GoM for GST issues in real estate
  • The Centre constituted a seven-member Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into Goods and Services Tax (GST)-related issues of the real estate sector, to analyse the tax rate of GST on the under-construction residential properties for boosting the realty segment.
  • Nitin Patel, the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, would head the GoM which would
  • Various other issues related to the sector, the GST rate on under-construction residential properties, demand to slash the rate on the segment to 5 per cent from the current 12 per cent.
  • Other members of the GoM are finance ministers of five states — Sudhir Mungantiwar of Maharashtra, Krishna Byre Gowda, Kerala, T.M. Thomas Isaac, Karnataka, Manpreet Singh Badal, Punjab and Rajesh Agarwal of Uttar Pradesh. Goa Minister of Panchayat Mauvin Godinho is also a member.
  • The GoM would examine and suggest ways for composition scheme or any other scheme, for boosting real estate sector and suggest scheme for transition vis-a-vis introduction of suggested scheme.
India Meteorological Department to launch system for predicting thunderstorms
  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to implement an end-to-end prediction system for predicting thunderstorms or lightning by April 2019.
  • The IMD will be implementing an end-to-end prediction system for predicting thunderstorms or lightning by April 2019.
  • IITM Pune has already installed 48 lightning sensors around the country which can locate the thunderstorm/lightning activities in real time. The institute has also developed a mobile app called ‘DAMINI’ to give alerts on impending lightning activity over the area.
  • Currently IITM Pune and IMD are developing a new website for IMD along with the mobile apps for farmers and city forecasts.
  • IMD, in a bid to further strengthen its observational network will install “10 new X-band weather radars” over north-west Himalayas (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) by end of this year.
  • 11 more C-band radars will be installed by IMD over the plains of India by 2020.
  • IITM Pune with the help of IMD and Mumbai Municipal Corporation is installing a new dense rain-gauge network over Mumbai with 200 rain-gauges.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – January 8-14, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – January 8-14, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of January 8 – 14, 2019 )

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January 8

India, Japan reiterate cooperation in Indo-Pacific

  • India and Japan reiterated that they would continue to work for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region during a meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono.
  • The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest, they reaffirmed that based on shared values and interests, the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has acquired a broader significance in the current global context and has become a factor of prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • India, along with Japan, the US and Australia, in 2017 revived a quad that seeks to work for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, a region that stretches from the east coast of Japan to the east coast of Africa.
  • Sushma Swaraj and Kono held discussions on follow-up actions taken on decisions taken during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit in October last year.

Delhi government collaborates with Washington University to monitor air quality

  • Delhi government has signed a MoU with Washington University (St Louise) to undertake a real-time Source Apportionment Study in India’s national capital to evaluate the air quality issues.
  • The MoU is aimed at a joint study to be undertaken by the Washington University and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for the real-time source apportionment with special reference to particulate matter (PM)2.5.
  • Analysis of elemental, organic carbon and 72 inorganic elements will also be undertaken under the study.
  • The work will be undertaken by the personnel of the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory (AAQRL). Under the study, two special monitors will be used to obtain the composition of PM2.5.
  • The data will help to understand the source profile which needs to be regulated for the effective improvement of air quality in the city.
  • Wireless sensors will also be deployed in the city to help monitor the real-time air quality and the source of pollution at select locations in the city.

Sheikh Hasina takes oath as Bangladesh PM for 4th term

  • Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for a record fourth term following her party’s victory in the recent election.
  • PM Hasina was sworn in along with her new 47-member Cabinet before President Abdul Hamid at his official residence in Dhaka.

BIOGRAPHY – Sheikh Hasina

  • Sheikh Hasina Wazed is serving as the 10th Prime Minister of Bangladesh, having held the office since January 2009. She is the longest serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh.
  • She is the daughter of Bangladesh’s first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
  • She previously served as opposition leader from 1986 to 1990 and from 1991 to 1995, as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2001, and has been leading the Bangladesh Awami League since 1981.
  • In 2008, she returned as Prime Minister with a landslide victory.
  • In January 2014, she became Prime Minister for a third term and also won a fourth term in December 2018.
  • Hasina is considered one of the most powerful women in the world, ranking 26th on Forbes’ list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2018.
  • She is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, an International network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers.

Cabinet approves Citizenship Amendment Bill

  • The Union Cabinet approved the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 that aims to give citizenship to illegal migrants of six minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • The Union Cabinet, cleared the bill soon after a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) presented its report in the Lok Sabha endorsing the move to legalize minority immigrants who entered Assam till December 31, 2014.

LS passes bills on right to education, personal laws

  • The Lok Sabha passed “Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018” and “The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018”.
  • Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar introduced “Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018” saying that the amendment made by the Rajya Sabha in the bill to further amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 be taken into consideration.
  • Union Minister P.P. Choudhary introduced “Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018” to amend the Divorce Act, 1869; Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939; Special Marriage Act, 1954; Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; and the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956. It strikes out leprosy as a ground for seeking divorce.

January 09, 2018

India, Norway to boost cooperation on SDGs, Ocean economy

  • India and Norway agreed to work in close cooperation on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ocean economy following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg.
  • The two sides signed the terms of reference for the establishment of a Dialogue on Trade and Investment, which would give impetus to business cooperation and encourage participation of Norwegian companies in the flagship programmes of India.
  • Conclusion of the free trade negotiations between EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and India is a priority for both governments.
  • The agreement on bilateral ocean dialogue signed between the two sides following the talks will give new direction to cooperation in all sectors in this area. A joint task force on Blue Economy was also established in order to promote multi-sectoral cooperation in various aspects of Blue Economy.
  • They also urged the international community to work towards early finalisation of the (India-initiated) Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism mooted by India at the UN.

Lok Sabha passes DNA technology bill

  • The Lok Sabha passed “The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019,
  • The bill seeks to provide the regulation for use and application of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology for the purpose of establishing the identity of certain categories of persons including victims, offenders, suspects, undertrials, missing persons and unknown deceased persons.
  • There are only 30-40 DNA profiling experts in the country and 15-18 labs, but no DNA data bank is available in the country so far.
  • Over 40,000 unidentified bodies were recovered and around 1 lakh children were found missing previous year, as per a government data. So there is a need for a bill to identify them. Despite that, there is need to apprehend repeated offenders through DNA profiling.
  • The Bill establishes a DNA Regulatory Board.  Every DNA laboratory that analyses a DNA sample to establish the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the Board.
  • Written consent by individuals is required to collect DNA samples from them.  Consent is not required for offences with punishment of more than seven years of imprisonment or death. 
  • The Bill provides for the removal of DNA profiles of suspects on filing of a police report or court order, and of undertrials on the basis of a court order.  Profiles in the crime scene and missing persons’ index will be removed on a written request.  

Vikram Misri  assume office as Indian envoy to China

  • India’s new envoy to China Vikram Misri, discussed the bilateral ties with top Chinese officials.
  • The envoy, who succeeds Gautam Bambawale, met Hong Lei, Deputy Director General of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, and presented his credentials.
  • Misri also met Wu Jianghao, Director General of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Misri, 54, was serving as Indian envoy in Myanmar before China assignment.
  • He was also stationed in various Indian Missions in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – January 1-7, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – January 1-7, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of January 1-7, 2019 )

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January 1

Lok Sabha passes Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018
  • The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 that aims to run the scam-tainted Medical Council of India (MCI) through a panel of eminent professionals.
  • The government is looking at regulating the medical education in India in a qualitative and transparent manner.
  • This bill supersedes MCI and the powers of the council have been vested in a Board of Governors. This board will continue to perform till a Council is constituted.
  • This bill has been issued so that medical education can be regulated in best manner, as MCI turned out to be massive failure.
  • The related National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill 2017 that seeks to replace MCI with a National Medical Commission and overhaul the medical education system in India is still pending in the Parliament.
  • The NMC will consist of 25 members and it will determine fees for up to 40% seats in private medical institutions and deemed universities.
  • Medical Advisory Council will be constituted, which will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the NMC.
  • The Bill allows practitioners of Ayurveda and other traditional Indian systems of medicine the licence to prescribe allopathic drugs after they have passed a ‘bridge course.’
  • The government has been pushing the NMC Bill amid resistance from Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other sections.
Lok Sabha passes Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2018-19
  • The second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2018-19 for gross additional expenditure of Rs 85,948.86 crore, which includes Rs 41,000 crore for recap of the Public Sector Banks (psbs), was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha on 31st December.
  • The supplementary demand was tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on December 20 seeking Parliament’s approval for additional expenditure of Rs 85,948.86 crore.
  • Responding to a debate over it, Jaitley said the government had enabled connecting villages by building roads and ensured that there wasn’t any villages left where there is no electricity.
Mamata Banerjee announces life insurance, financial aid for farmers in West Bengal
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a yearly financial aid worth Rs 5,000 per acre for all the peasant family in the state.
  • WB CM also announced a life insurance coverage worth Rs 2 lakh for each of the state’s farmers within the age group of 18-60 years under a state-sponsored scheme, Krishak Bondhu, from 2019.
  • All the farmers within the age group of 18 to 60 years will be provided life insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh by the state government. In case of their death, be it natural or unnatural, the families would be provided the money.

January 2

India may have welcomed maximum new borns on New Year: UNICEF
  • India is estimated to have welcomed 18 per cent of the total babies born globally on January 1, 2019,
  •  According to the UNICEF, 69,944 babies were expected to be born on the New Year Day out of 3,95,072 babies likely to be born across the world.
  • Globally over half of these births are estimated to taken place in seven countries, along with India like China (44,940), Nigeria (25,685), Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), the US (11,086), Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053), and Bangladesh (8,428).Sydney was set to greet an estimated 168 babies, followed by Tokyo (310), Beijing (605), Madrid (166) and finally, New York (317).
  • Fiji in the Pacific was likely to deliver 2019’s first baby and the US its last.
First Chief Justice of Telangana High Court sworn-in
  • Justice Thottathil Bhaskaran Nair Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the first Chief justice of Telangana High Court. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan administered oath to him at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.
  • Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, judges, lawyers and senior officials attended the ceremony.
  • Justice Radhakrishnan had been serving as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for both the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh since July last year.
  • The gazette notification said January 1 would be the appointed day for the Andhra Pradesh High Court which will start functioning from Amaravati while the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad will become the High Court for Telangana.
Assam Minister flags off export of mandarin fruit to Dubai, Hong Kong
  • Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary flagged off the export of mandarin fruits produced in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to Dubai and Hong Kong.
  • Assam as well as the North Eastern Region is considered an organic hub.
  • With a view to creating a sustainable market for the producers of the region, Industries and Commerce Department has initiated efforts to encourage and provide logistic and infrastructural support for export of agri-horti produces of the state.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – December 29-31, 2018

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Current Affairs Assam – December 29 - 31, 2018

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of December 29-31, 2018 )

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December 29

380th tithi of Bhattadev observed
  • The 380th tithi mahotsav of Bhattadev and the 71st biennial session of Kamrup Damodar Sangha was held with a two-day programme from December 27.
  • the biennial subject committee meeting was held with Jatindra Nath Sarma, president, Kamrup Damodar Sangha in the chair.
  • In the open meeting, a new committee was selected with Jatindra Nath Sarma as president, Kumud Chakrabartty as the working president and Bipin Chandra Das as the general secretary. In a resolution, the meeting demanded the State government to reconstruct the present temple to accommodate a large gathering along with proper sanitation facilities.

FACTFILE – Bhattadeva (1558–1638)

  • Baikunthanatha Bhagavata Bhattacharya is acknowledged as the father of Assamese prose.
  • Though Bhaktiratnakar-katha, the Assamese translation of Sankardev’s Sanskrit composition Bhaktiratnakar by Gopala Charana Dwija preceded the works of Bhattadeva, Bhattadeva’s prose had an influence in the development of a high and dignified style.
  • Bhattadeva’s and Gopala Charana Dvija’s 16th century works are considered to be the earliest examples of prose in Indian languages.
  • Bhattadeva’s erudition in Sanskrit grammar and literature, and his command over the Bhagavata earned him the title of Bhagavata Bhattacharya
Nagaland way behind SDG targets: NITI Report
  • Nagaland, along with Mizoram and Goa, are the three worst performers under industry, innovation and infrastructure category with a zero score in implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets, according to SDG India Index Baseline Report, 2018 released by NITI Aayog.
  • Majority of the States and Union Territories (UTs) have fallen behind on this goal with 26 States and UTs in the “Aspirant” category with index score less than 50.
  • In SDG index score for the goal of industry, innovation and infrastructure, Nagaland is also among the last three worst performers with a score of 40. Manipur ranked the lowest with a score of 33.
  • Under the SDG index score for the goal of good health and well-being, the State again has one of the lowest score (34) under the ‘Aspirant’ category.
  • However, under the SDG index score for the goal of peace, justice and strong, Nagaland is one of the “frontrunners” with a score of 87. Under the goal of zero hunger, the State was accorded 69 points which also falls under the same category. In the goal of clean water and sanitation, it stood at 58.
  • The SDG index score for the goal of reduced inequalities for Nagaland stood at 80 which falls under the “front runner” category while Meghalaya, Mizoram and Telangana were the only three States which were deemed as “achievers”.
  • In general, from among the States, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have come out as the front runners in implementing the 2030 SDG targets.
  • Along with the three States, the UTs of Chandigarh and Puducherry were also among the front runners on the SDG India Index with a score between 65 to 99 on a scale of 0 to 100, where 100 signifies that it has achieved the 2030 national targets.

FACTFILE – SDG India Index

  • The NITI Aayog developed the country’s first SDG India Index to document the progress made by the States and UTs towards meeting SDG targets and released a baseline report for 2018.
  • The SDG India Index was constructed spanning across 13 out of 17 SDGs. The index tracks the progress of all the States and UTs on a set of 62 priority indicators, measuring their progress on the outcomes of the interventions and schemes of the Government of India. The SDG India Index is intended to provide a holistic view on the social, economic and environmental status of the country and its States and UTs.
  • Each of the 17 SDGs are mapped with a set of 169 targets to be achieved by 2030. These were used as the foundation for building the SDG India Index.
Cabinet Approves National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018
  • The cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018 that provides for conducting overall education of traditional medicine system of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa- commonly known as Tibetan system of medicine.
  • The cabinet has also approved the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2018, that proposes setting up a new panel entrusted with conducting overall education of Homoeopathy.
  • The NCIM Bill, seeks to replace the existing regulator Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM) with a new body to ensure transparency.
  • The draft Bill provides for the constitution of a National Commission with four autonomous boards entrusted with conducting overall education of Ayurveda, under Board of Ayurveda and Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa under Board of Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa.
Union Cabinet approved listing of seven CPSE through IPO and FPO
  • The seven PSUs are Telecommunication Consultants (India) Ltd, RailTel Corporation India Ltd, National Seed Corporation India Ltd, Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd, Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd, FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals (India) Ltd, and Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL) are to be listed on stock exchange through initial public offering (IPO) and one Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) to issue follow-on public offer (FPO).

Listing in the Stock Market – Initial Public Offering (IPO) and (FPO) Follow-on Public Offering (FPO).

IPO FPO
Initial Public Offering (IPO) refers to an offer of securities made to the public for subscription, by the company. Follow-on Public Offering (FPO) means an offer of securities for subscription to public, by an publicly traded enterprise.
First public issue Second or third public issue
Issued by Unlisted Company Issues by already listed Company
Objective of raising capital through public investment. Objective of Subsequent public investment.

 

India commits Rs 4,500 crore to Bhutan’s 12th Five-Year Plan
  • India announced that it will contribute Rs 4,500 crore to Bhutan’s 12th Five-Year Plan, following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering.
  • India will provide a transitional trade support facility of Rs 400 crore over a period of five years to strengthen bilateral trade and economic linkages.
  • There are a number of institutional mechanisms between India and Bhutan in areas like security, border management, trade, economy, hydroelectricity, development cooperation and water resources.
  • India has already set up three hydro-power projects in Bhutan with a total capacity of 1,416MW, which are operational. About three-fourths of the power generated is exported to India and the rest is used for domestic consumption.
  • Both leaders reiterated their commitment to jointly develop 10,000MW of hydro-power generating capacity in Bhutan and in this regard discussed the 2,560 Sunkosh hydro-power project.

December 30

Assam CM lays foundation of NDRF’s new campus
  • Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal laid the foundation stone of the new campus of the National Disaster Response Force’s (NDRF) 1st Battalion at Amsing.
  • The Chief Minister said NDRF has always been playing a stellar role during natural calamity in the spheres of disaster management and people of the country depend on their services during such critical times.
  • NDRF and SDRF are both providing services during critical situations which have been instrumental in saving both life and property.
FACTFILE – The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
  • It is a specialised force constituted “for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • The responsibility for disaster management in India’s federal system is that of the State Government. The ‘nodal Ministry’ in the central government for management of natural disasters is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • When ‘calamities of severe nature’ occur, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected state, including deploying, at the State’s request, of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and such communication, air and other assets, as are available and needed.
  • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is under the National Disaster Management Authority, the “Apex Body for Disaster Management” in India.
  • The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NDMA.
Third Annual ‘Dwijing Festival’ in Chirang district
  • The ongoing third annual ‘Dwijing Festival’ on bank of the Aie river in Chirang district coveys a strong message that we (all communities) were and will live and work together in the State, said Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who participated in the festival.
  • He also said that the nation or the State which has rich water resources can make rapid progress and to make it understand and to present the importance of the rivers ‘Namami Brahmaputra’ and ‘Namami Barak’ river festivals were celebrated in the State.
  • BTC Chief Hagrama Mahilary termed the Dwijing Festival as the reflection of development, amity, unity and solidarity among the communities living in BTC which, according to him, saw better development after the BJP assumed power in the State and at the Centre.
  • Mahilary expressed his desire to upgrade this ‘Dwijing (Dwi-water/river, jing-bank) festival’ to a scale similar to the ‘Hornbill Festival’ of Nagaland next year.
FACTFILE – DWIJING FEST 2018-19
  • The Dwijing Festival is an annual river festival to be celebrated in the BTAD region with various colorful events viz. ethnic trade and food festival, exhibition, games & sports, river campaign & adventure and various culture programs to make it a centre of attraction for the visitors as a New Year Festival.
  • Being a medium/platform of earning for the local and others of the region, the festival put its focus especially to the buisness activities for the better economy generation through rural tourism. However the festival is meant to provide help to the flood victim families through charity generation and distribution.
FACTFILE – River Aie (Mother) River
  • River Aie originates from the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan and flows through the Chirang and Bongaigaon districts of Assam before joining the river Brahmaputra.
  • The River creates a massive attraction for many tourists (locals/visiting) for picnic and weekend activities during the winter season and in summer the river creates massive damages to both the sideways due to heavy rainfall resulting in loss of properties and lives of many families.
India submits sixth national report to Convention of Biological Diversity
  • India on 29th December submitted its sixth national report (NR6) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) highlighting the progress it has made in achieving the 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBT) set under the convention process.
  • The report highlights that while India had already exceeded two targets, it was on track to achieve another eight soon. The remaining two would be met by the stipulated time of 2020.
  • As per the NR6 report, India had been investing a huge amount on biodiversity directly or indirectly through several development schemes of the Central and state governments — to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore per annum as against the estimated annual requirement of nearly Rs 1,09,000 crore.
  • India has nearly two-thirds of the population of wild tigers in the world. The population of lion has risen from 177 in 1968 to over 520 in 2015, and elephants from 12,000 in 1970s to 30,000 in 2015.
  • One-horned Indian Rhino which was on the brink of extinction during the early 20th century, now number 2,400.
  • Further, while globally over 0.3 per cent of total recorded species are critically endangered, in India only 0.08 per cent of the species recorded are in this category.
  • India is committed to protecting its rich heritage of biodiversity which are so vital to our economic and social development.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – December 22-28, 2018

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Current Affairs Assam – December 22 - 28, 2018

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of December 22-28, 2018 )

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December 22

Assam Publication Board Lifetime Achievement Award to Nagen Saikia
  • The Publication Board, Assam today announced its Lifetime Achievement Award for the current year to former Asam Sahitya Sabha president Prof Nagen Saikia.
  • The award consists of a cash amount of Rs 2 lakh, a citation, a shawl and a packet of books published by the Publication Board.
India, China agree on ‘10 pillars’ of cooperation
  • Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held extensive talks under a newly set up framework and agreed on “10 pillars” of cooperation to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges to open a new chapter in Sino-India ties.
  • Minister said the armies of the two countries are working to strengthen communication and striving to implement confidence building measures that will help in maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas, which she said, is an important prerequisite for development of ties.
  • On trade ties, there was a need to find a solution to India’s expanding trade deficit with China and hoped that China will provide support for market access to Indian goods and services.
  • India and China have agreed on ‘10 pillars’ of cooperation to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges. These pillars are cultural exchange, cooperation in films and television, museum administration and sports, exchanges between youths, cooperation on tourism, exchanges between states and cities, cooperation in traditional medicine, yoga and education.
India and Japan signed loan agreements worth more than Rs 6,600 crore
  • India and Japan exchanged notes and signed loan agreements worth more than Rs 6,600 crore for developing the second phase of Chennai Metro, to help India on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for a dairy project.
  • The Government of Japan has committed JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Official Development Assistance (ODA) totalling Yen 105.497 billion (equal to Rs 6,668.46 crore, approximately) for the three projects.
  • The Japanese ODA loan for Chennai Metro Project (Phase 2)(I) is for JPY (Japanese Yen) 75.5 billion, JPY 15.0 billion for Program for Japan-India Cooperative Actions towards SDGs in India and JPY 14.9 billion for Project for Dairy Development.
  • The notes were exchanged between Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs Additional Secretary C.S. Mohapatra and Ambassador of Japan to India Kenji Hiramatsu. The loan agreement for Chennai Metro and dairy project was signed between Mohapatra and JICA New Delhi Chief Representative Katsuo Matsumoto.
  • The cooperative actions programme aims to promote SDGs in India especially in social development by supporting government efforts to strengthen policy framework and implementation mechanism, thereby supporting India in achieving SDGs by 2030.
  • The dairy development project aims to increase sale of milk and dairy products by increasing farmers’ access to organised market, upgrading dairy processing facilities and marketing infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of producers owned institutions.
SDG India index by NITI Aayog
  • The government’s premier think tank has developed the country’s first SDG India Index to document the progress made by India’s states and Union Territories towards meeting SDG targets and released a baseline report for 2018.
  • Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have come out as the front runners in implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
  • Along with the three states, the UTs of Chandigarh and Puducherry were also among the front runners on the SDG India Index with a score between 65 to 99 on a scale of 0 to 100, where 100 signifies that it has achieved the 2030 national targets.
  • The SDG India Index baseline report 2018 highlights the progress being made by states and UTs in moving towards multiple targets of the SDGs.
  • The SDGs are ambitious global development goals that address key aspects of universal wellbeing across different socio-economic, cultural, geographical divisions and integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development.
  • The Index has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Global Green Growth Institute and United Nations in India.
  • The Index tracks progress of all states and UTs on 62 priority indicators selected by NITI Aayog, which in turn is guided by MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework comprising 306 indicators and based on multiple-round consultations with ministries and states.
Odisha govt approves Rs 10,000 crore KALIA scheme for farmers
  • The Odisha cabinet approved the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme amounting to over Rs 10,000 crore for farmers.
  • The scheme will provide financial, livelihood, cultivation support along with insurances to the farmers.
  • Under KALIA, the amount will be spent over a period of three years till 2020-21. All the small and marginal farmers of the state (over 30 lakh) will be covered under this scheme.
  • An amount of Rs 10,000 per family at the rate of Rs 5,000 each for kharif and rabi seasons will be provided financial assistance for taking up cultivation.
  • This assistance is for five crop seasons spanning three years from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
  • Annual financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per household will be provided to take care of sustenance of those farmers who may not be able to take up cultivation or avail livelihood options due to old-age, disability, disease or other reasons.
  • Life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh and additional personal accident cover of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to both cultivators and landless agricultural labourers covering about 57 lakh households.

December 23

State-level Farmers’ Fair held at Kahikuchi
  • Two-day-long State level Farmers’ Fair cum Farmer-Scientist interaction programme on the topic, ‘Doubling the farmers income by 2022 in Assam: Technological options and way forward’ was organised by the ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Zone VI, at the Horticultural Research Station, AAU, Kahikuchi.
  • The inaugural programme was attended by Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of Fisheries, Excise, Environment & Forest, AK Singh, DDG, Agricultural Extension, ICAR, New Delhi, Dr SN Goswami, Vice-Chancellor, CMJ University, Jorabat, Meghalaya, Dr L Obed, Director, Coconut Development Board, Guwahati, Dr Bidyut C Deka, Director, ICAR-ATARI Zone-VII, Umiam, Dr Prasanna Pathak, DEE, AAU, Jorhat and other dignitaries of ICAR institutes and Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat.
Assam is a source state for child trafficking, says ASCPCR
  • The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) in collaboration with UNICEF Assam organised a State-level workshop ‘Prevention and response to combat child trafficking in Assam’ at the Assam Administrative Staff College.
  • ASCPCR Chairperson Dr Sunita Changkakati mentioned that Assam is a source state for child trafficking since the children are trafficked to different destination states and subjected to various forms of torture and exploitation.
  • Chief of UNICEF Assam, Dr Tushar Rane, gave a brief overview of the context and data on child trafficking and appreciated the child protection workforce for their tremendous work towards rescue and protection of vulnerable children.
  • The workshop discussed the key bottlenecks in addressing the issues of child trafficking and also explored and identified the key areas of intervention to combat child trafficking and ensure justice to the victim.
  • The participants included representatives from the Department of Social Welfare, State Child Protection Society, police, district legal services authorities, child welfare committees, district child protection units and civil society organisations from all the districts of the State.
Binod Khanal to receive Pratima Pandey Award
  • This year’s Pratima Barua Pandey Award will be given to BinodKhanal, an exponent of folk culture from Biswanath district.
  • The award, instituted by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in memory of legendary singer Pratima Barua Pandey, is given every year to a person having significant contribution in preserving and promoting the folk culture of the State.
Nuclear-capable Agni-IV successfully test fired
  • Nuclear strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV was successfully test fired from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on 23rd December.
  • The Strategic Forces Command of Indian Army successfully test fired the surface-to-surface intermediate range ballistic missile from launchpad number-4 of the integrated test range at 8.30 a.m.
  • The missile was test-fired as a part of user training exercise.
  • The missile, which has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances, is equipped with state of the art Avionics, 5th generation onboard computer and distributed architecture.
  • Earlier in December, Agni-V was successfully test fired from APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
7th anti-terrorism India-China military exercise ends
  • The 7th edition of anti-terrorism India-China joint military exercise concluded in Chengdu area of China. The Validation and Closing ceremony of the seventh edition of joint India-China military exercise ‘Hand-in-Hand 2018’ was conducted at Chengdu, China.
  • The exercise included lectures and discussions on various counter-terrorism aspects, like cordon and search operations, raid on terrorist hideouts, intelligence collection and joint operations.
  • Also, integrated live firing was conducted for both contingents to enhance interoperability and promote jointmanship.
  • As part of validation exercise, troops of both armies carried out specialised joint counter-terrorist operations including room intervention and hostage rescue which was witnessed by dignitaries of both armies
  • Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2018 was very successful in increasing the bonhomie and camaraderie amongst troops from both countries.
GST Council nods formation of Centralised Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR)
  • The GST Council on Saturday gave its approval to creation of a Centralised Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR) by amending the GST Act.
  • The GST Council in its 31st meeting held here gave in-principle approval to the creation of AAAR to deal with the cases of conflicting decisions by two or more State Appellate Advance Ruling Authorities on the same issue.
  • The Council also approved amendments to “Section 50 of the CGST Act”, which would allow interest to be levied only on the net tax liability of the taxpayer, after taking into account the admissible input tax credit.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – December 15-21, 2018

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Current Affairs Assam – December 15-21, 2018

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December 15

ICCCBSA Global meet on climate change under way at AAU, Jorhat
  • The four-day International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (ICCCBSA) commenced at the Assam Agricultural University, where 1,038 individual research papers to be presented in the conference would throw up at least 15 integrated researchable projects to mitigate climate change, conserve the earth’s biodiversity and assist in sustainable agriculture.
  • Grant Singleton, Principal Scientist at the International Rice Research Institute, (Philippines) and the Guest of honour of the event, said that sustainable development of agriculture was the need of the hour as by 2050 the earth would have to feed a population of seven billion people.
  • The conference has been organised as part of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations from April 2018 to March 2019.

FACTFILE – Assam Agricultural University (AAU)

  • AAU is an agricultural education state university which was established in 1969 in Jorhat in the state of Assam, India.
  • The jurisdiction of the University extends to the entire State of Assam with regard to teaching, research and extension education in the field of agriculture and allied sciences.
  • It was established in 1969
  • Vice-Chancellor – Kamal Malla Bujarbaruah
  • The university has six Regional Agricultural Research Stations in each agricultural zone of Assam at Titabar, North Lakhimpur, Shillongoni, Diphu, Gossaigaon and Karimganj.
  • The university also has four Commodity Research Stations at: Citrus Research Station, Tinsukia, Sugarcane Research Station, Buralikson, Horticulture Research Station, Kahikuchi and Goat Research Station, Burnihut.
  • The university also has established Krishi Vigyan Kendras for extension purpose in all the districts of Assam.
Nokpante fest in Garo Hills
  • The 7th Nokpante Festival, a winter festival of Garo Hills region, was organised by Damas Youth Forum (DYF) in collaboration with the NGH administration, Sports and Youth Affairs and Tourism departments and GHADC.
  • The two-day festival included traditional games that are unique to the community like wapong ska, makkre wa’jol malla, matcha matchu, makkre bolgong malla, sa’rong’kol kalla, sompi sompa, among others which test the physical and mental capacity of the contestants as well as their expertise.
  • The highlight of the festival was the traditional fashion show for both men and women. Boys dressed themselves as warriors (matgrik) and the girls in traditional dakmanda. The festival concluded with a Rock show that included local Rock bands Riprap, Jethro, Markus.
India Post launches e-commerce portal
  • India Post announced the soft launch of its e-commerce portal, the Department of Posts has done only soft launch and full fledge operations of the service will start around or after mid-December.
  • The Department facilitates has collected and remitted more than Rs 2,700 crore under cash-on-delivery till January 2018 since its introduction in December 2013.
  • The ongoing e-commerce business segment resulted in increase of 13 percent revenue of India Post in the 2017-18 and total revenue the department earned under Speed Post till January 2018 was Rs 1,502.60 crore.
India signed Agreement with Google for better flood management
  • The Central Water Commission (CWC) has signed a collaboration agreement with Google for improving the flood prediction system. As per the agreement, the CWC and Google will share technical expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and geo-spatial mapping.
  • The MoU covers analysis of hydrological observation data to collaborate on improving the flood prediction systems, which will help provide location-targeted, actionable flood warnings, a high priority research project utilising the Google Earth engine to help visualise and improve flood management and a cultural project to build online exhibitions on the rivers of India. The term of agreement is for three years.
  • According to the CWC, the States affected by floods till October, 2018 include Tripura, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka (extreme flood situation), Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, NCT Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
India, Myanmar committed to combat terror
  • The India-Myanmar joint statement signed during the state visit of President Ram NathKovind also noted the need to maintain security and stability along the India-Myanmar border, which is essential for the socio-economic development of the population living in the border areas.
  • India and Myanmar have reiterated their commitment to not allow insurgent groups to use their soil for hostile activities.
  • Both sides underlined their mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to fight insurgent activities and the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
  • Both sides reiterated their mutual respect for the already demarcated boundary between the two countries and emphasised the need to resolve amicably outstanding boundary demarcation issues at the earliest, through existing bilateral mechanisms.
  • The leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their common aspiration for peace, collective prosperity and development of the region and beyond. The leaders agreed to continue exploring new opportunities to expand bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.
  • Both sides agreed to sign at the earliest the MoU for cooperation on combating timber trafficking and conservation of tigers and other wildlife. Negotiations on the MoU on bilateral cooperation for prevention of trafficking in persons; rescue, recovery, repatriation and reintegration of victims of trafficking are nearing completion.
  • With regard to the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project, both sides welcomed the signing of the MoU on appointing a port operator, which would enable the Sittwe Port and Paletwa IWT infrastructure to be used commercially for the development of the surrounding areas.

December 16

Digital CIC opened in Baksa district of Assam
  • A digital Community Information Centre (CIC), established under ‘SBI Gram Seva’, a flagship programme of the State Bank of India’s CSR initiative, was inaugurated in Baksa district.
  • The project is being implemented in the district across five remote villages by the Assam Centre for Rural Development (ACRD), an NGO working on various developmental issues.
  • The CIC, first-of-its kind in the district, is meant for the backward tribal communities to access government schemes, jobs, health, internet and rural banking services.
  • Each CIC is digitised and has a computer, wi-fi connectivity, a flat screen TV, drinking water facility, library, books, and information related to government jobs and schemes, among other things.

FACTFILE – ‘SBI Gram Seva’

  • The ‘SBI Gram Seva’ project is a flagship programme launched by the State Bank of India Foundation in 2017 across six states of India, including Assam.
  • It focuses on integrated development of villages through the gaon panchayats.
India, France reiterate resolve to jointly fight terrorism
  • India and France reiterated their resolve to jointly fight the global scourge of terrorism following delegation-level talks headed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.
  • Both India and France were implementing their outlined action in joint strategic vision cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
  • Now the two sides are working towards deepening and expanding these large contacts, especially at the operational and service level.
  • Le Drian also called for a joint collaboration between the two countries in the field of cinema.
Nasscom partners IIT-Madras for training workforce in digital skills
  • Nasscom has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras for its FutureSkills Platform that is targeted at re-skilling/upskilling four million people on digital skills.
  • Under its FutureSkills Platform, Nasscom aims to re-skill/upskill four million people from the IT-ITeS industry, students entering the workforce and employees of other industries/government on digital skills.
  • The partnership with IIT-Madras will facilitate the building of an able workforce to support the industry and other stakeholders. This will ensure that there is plenty of trained manpower for the jobs being created in the evolving ecosystem.
  • The partnership will be directly with the Sector Skills Council (SSC) which is the education and skill development initiative of Nasscom.
  • The SSC and IIT Madras will work towards building a skills academy and establish a program with extensive courses and training programmes to facilitate skill building in the institution
Amazon India signs MoU with FISME to empower MSMEs
  • Amazon India on 13th December announced a partnership with the Federation of Indian Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises(FISME) to empower Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage growth opportunities in the e-commerce sector.
  • As per the MoU, Amazon.in in collaboration with FISME will conduct various events and workshops across the country that will enable and encourage the MSMEs in the country to sell their products to millions of consumers from India and across the globe by leveraging e-commerce marketplace solutions.
  • in and FISME aim to educate MSMEs on the nuances of online selling domestically and also B2C exports to enable them to sell across multiple international locations.
  • Through the collaboration, MSMEs will get access to experts from Amazon, FISME and various service providers to help them understand the procedures and requirements related to areas such as logistics, cataloging, imaging, taxation and will guide them through the entire process of selling through the e-commerce marketplace route.
  • MSMEs will be educated on digital business opportunity, brand building, documentation, listing methodology and services such as fulfillment by Amazon & Sponsored Ads.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – December 8-14, 2018

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Current Affairs Assam – December 8 - 14, 2018

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of December 8-14, 2018 )

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December 8

Manju Baruah, the first woman manager in Assam’s tea garden history
  • For the first time in the nealy-200-year-old history of commercial tea cultivation in Assam, the industry has got a woman garden manager.
  • Manju Baruah, who is currently serving as garden manager for Apeejay Tea’s Hilika Tea Estate at Doomdooma in Tinsukia district.
  • Terming managerial responsibilities in tea gardens as a big challenge that also involves a lot of tedious outdoor duties, Manju said that her love for the outdoors and adventure since childhood served her in good stead in discharging her responsibilities.
Myanmar‘s Sittwe Port in ready for operations
  • Sittwe Port in Myanmar, being administered by the Ministry of External Affairs under the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project to facilitate connectivity between the mainland and the north eastern States of the country is “ready” for operations.
  • The project was jointly identified by India and Myanmar to create a multi-modal mode of transport for shipment of cargo from mainland India to Myanmar as well as to the northeastern part of India through Myanmar.
  • The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project will connect Sittwe Port in Myanmar to the India-Myanmar border, is expected to contribute to the economic development of the northeastern States by opening up the sea route for goods.
  • It will reduce pressure on the Siliguri Corridor, and since the project is of political and strategic significance, it was decided to execute it through India’s grant assistance to Myanmar.
K Subramanian appointed as Chief Economic Adviser (CEA)
  • Union Government appointed ISB Hyderabad professor Krishnamurthy Subramanian as Chief Economic Adviser for a period of three years. The post of CEA had been lying vacant since Arvind Subramanaian left the post.
  • An IIT-IIM alumnus, Subramanian holds PhD (Financial Economics) from Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, the US. He has served on the expert committees on Corporate Governance and on Governance of Banks. He was a member of SEBI’s standing committees on Alternative Investment Policy, Primary Markets, Secondary Markets and Research. He is also on the boards of Bandhan Bank, the National Institute of Bank Management, and the RBI Academy.
  • The key responsibilities of the CEA include providing policy inputs on industrial development and foreign trade, conducting analysis of trends in industrial production and releasing statistical information on key economic indicators.
Google announces ‘Journalism AI’ project
  • To help news industry use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in more innovative ways, Google has announced a partnership with Polis, the international journalism think-tank at London School of Economics and Political Science, to create “Journalism AI”.
  • Part of the Google News Initiative (GNI), the “Journalism AI” project will focus on research and training for newsrooms on the intersection of AI and journalism.
  • The Asia-Pacific Google News Initiative (GNI) Innovation Challenge will fund selected projects up to $300,000 and finance up to 70 per cent of the total project cost, that inject new ideas into the news industry.
Germany offers support to rebuild Kerala
  • The German government has offered help in the form of grants, loans at low rates of interest and by participating in specific projects to rebuild Kerala which was devastated after the worst ever floods in August.
  • Martin Ney, the German Ambassador to India, said Germany was ready to support the state by contributing to the “Rebuild Kerala” initiative.
  • Had talks with the Centre and have offered to provide up to Rs 720 crore under low interest loans to promote climate-resilient reconstruction of bridges and roads in Kerala.
  • Along with this aRs 24 crore grant for technical support that will provide international expertise in the field of infrastructure planning.
  • The support for infrastructure development will be through the German Development Bank KfW, who will ink an agreement with the Kerala government.
  • The talks with the Centre took place in Delhi last week when they decided to include Kerala in discussions about 190 different projects that Germany was supporting in various states.
  • The German government is also working on a study on floating solar sites at two dams in the state.
  • The other programme is aRs 40 crore grant funded project that will be done at selected 43 places which will help reduce vulnerability to climate change of small farmers through watershed development projects.
FAO approves 2023 as International Year of Millets
  • The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has approved India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023.
  • Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had made the demand in August this year, which has been accepted by the ongoing FAO Council in Rome.
  • Millets consist of Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and minor millets, together termed as nutri-cereals.
  • The development will enhance global awareness to bring back these nutri-cereals to the plate, for food and nutrition security and for increasing production to face the challenges posed by climate change, globally.
  • In addition, the Council also approved India’s membership to the Executive Board of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for 2020 and 2021.

FACTFILE – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

  • It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
  • FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all.
  • As of August 2018, The FAO has 197 member states.
  • Headquarters – Rome, Italy
  • Head – José Graziano da Silva
India expected to receive total remittance of $80 billion in 2018
  • India is expected to receive a total remittance of $80 billion in 2018, said the latest edition of the World Bank’s Migration and Development Brief, released on 8th
  • Among major remittance recipients, India retains its top spot, with remittances expected to total $80 billion this year, followed by China ($67 billion), Mexico and the Philippines ($34 billion each), and Egypt ($26 billion).
  • As global growth is projected to moderate, future remittances to low and middle-income countries are expected to grow moderately by 4 per cent to reach $549 billion in 2019. Global remittances are expected to grow 3.7 per cent to $715 billion in 2019.
  • According to the brief, remittance flows rose in all regions and was driven by a stronger economy and employment situation in the US and a rebound in outward flows from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Russian Federation.

December 9

CM Prema Khandu launches Arunachal Pradesh’s ‘Shi Yomi ‘ as 23rd district
  • Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the newly created Shi Yomi district, the 23rd district in the State, bordering China.
  • Headquartered at Tato, the new district, comprising of four administrative Circles viz. Mechuka, Tato, Pidi and Manigong, was bifurcated from West Siang district.
  • The State Assembly had passed the Arunachal Pradesh (Reorganisation of Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in the last House session paving the way for creation of Shi Yomi district, along with two other districts.
  • Thanking the people for donating land for government establishments for free, the Chief Minister urged to set priorities right as the government can’t afford lavish spending. He also promised that in the coming Budget session, provision for funds for the development of infrastructure will be kept.
India’s first artificial heart valve technology launched
  • In line with the Make in India initiative, global medical device maker Meril Life Sciences on 8th December launched its first indigenously designed and manufactured artificial aortic valve for patients who are at a high risk or unwilling to undergo open heart valve replacement surgery.
  • The Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve Replacement (TAVR), which will be sold under the brand name “Myval”, is a minimally invasive procedure in which the doctor places a artificial valve into the patient’s diseased valve via a catheter inserted through the femoral artery.
  • It is an alternative way to replace diseased valves without undergoing traditional open heart procedure, which some patients may not receive well.
  • Meril is the first Indian company to commercially make this therapy available in the country.
  • The company has also received an approval from the Indian drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for commercialisation of TAVR.
  • TAVR is increasingly becoming a preferred alternative for surgical valve replacement because it is associated with faster recovery time.
India, Iceland discuss geothermal energy cooperation
  • India and Iceland discussed cooperation in geothermal energy among other areas during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Icelandic Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson.
  • The two Ministers noted that in the areas such as geothermal energy, fisheries, IT, pharmaceuticals and tourism, both countries could establish strong partnership.
  • The Icelandic Minister appreciated growing opportunities for Icelandic companies in the fast-growing Indian economy.
  • The two Ministers expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation at multilateral and international forums.
  • Sushma Swaraj and Thordarson also discussed the possibility of enhanced cooperation in the Arctic Council, an inter-governmental forum of Arctic states where India has an observer status.

FACTFILE – Geothermal energy

  • Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the earth.
  • The geothermal energy of the Earth’s crust originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials.
  • The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heat from the core to the surface.
  • Earth’s internal heat is thermal energy generated from radioactive decay and continual heat loss from Earth’s formation. Temperatures at the core–mantle boundary may reach over 4000 °C (7,200 °F).
  • The high temperature and pressure in Earth’s interior cause some rock to melt and solid mantle to behave plastically, resulting in portions of the mantle convecting upward since it is lighter than the surrounding rock.
  • With water from hot springs, geothermal energy has been used for bathing since Paleolithic times and for space heating since ancient Roman times, but it is now better known for electricity generation.
  • Worldwide, 11,700 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power was available in 2013.
  • Geothermal power is cost-effective, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries.
Kerala CM commissions Kannur airport
  • Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu commissioned the Kannur International Airport Ltd (KIAL).
  • The first flight from the airport was flagged off, with 180 passengers to Abu Dhabi.
  • This is the fourth international airport in the state, the rest are in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.
  • The KIAL is slated to serve more than 1.5 million international passengers annually and authorities estimate the number will increase five-fold by 2025.
  • It is expected to boost tourism in Kannur, Kasargode, Wayanad and increase trade and commerce in the handloom and spices sectors.

 

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Assam Current Affairs – December 1-7, 2018

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Current Affairs Assam – December 1-7, 2018

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December 1

North East Skill Centre (NESC) to be launched in January
  • The ambitious North East Skill Centre (NESC) project, a joint collaboration of the Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) and Institute of Technical Educational Services, Singapore (ITEES), will be launched in January.
  • The centre will offer a one-year certificate course to achieve the twin goal of generating employment and meet the demand of the industry for skilled manpower.
  • Specialised and industry-driven training would be imparted in four sectors – beauty and wellness, retail services, hospitality –food and beverage service and hospitality – housekeeping.
  • The NESC will have state-of-the-art infrastructure located on a sprawling campus in Guwahati with a fully equipped laboratory.
G20 summit: India presents 9-point agenda on fugitive economic offenders
  • India on Friday presented a nine-point agenda to G20 member nations calling for strong and active cooperation among them to comprehensively deal with fugitive economic offenders.
  • The agenda was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the second session of the G20 Summit on international trade, international financial and tax systems.
  • Cooperation in legal processes such as effective freezing of the proceeds of crime, early return of the offenders and efficient repatriation of the proceeds of crime should be enhanced and streamlined.
  • India also called for joint efforts by G-20 countries to form a mechanism that denies entry and safe havens to fugitive economic offenders.
  • India suggested the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) should be called upon to assign priority and focus to establishing international cooperation that leads to timely and comprehensive exchange of information between the competent authorities and financial intelligence units.
  • India also advocated setting up of a common platform for sharing experiences and best practices including successful cases of extradition, gaps in existing systems of extradition and legal assistance, etc.
Double Taxation Pact between India & Hong Kong came into effect
  • The double taxation avoidance pact between India and Hong Kong came into effect on 30th November after both sides completed the due procedures.
  • The agreement between India and Hong Kong for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income was signed on March 19.
  • India completed all the relevant procedures required by its laws for the entry into force of the agreement on May 11 and the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region completed all the relevant procedures required by its laws for the entry into force of the agreement on November 30.
  • The pact will stimulate flow of investment, technology and personnel from India to Hong Kong and vice versa.
  • It will prevent double taxation and provide for exchange of information between the two sides.
  • The agreement will also improve transparency in tax matters and will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.
BRICS leaders declare common stand on WTO reform
  • Leaders of the emerging economies’ bloc BRICS declared their common stand on the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 30th
  • A communique was issued after Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held an informal meeting on the sidelines of G-20 Summit.
  • BRICS countries agreed that full support should be given to the rules-based multilateral trading system represented by the WTO and to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive international trade.
  • BRICS countries pledged to support the improvement of the WTO, increase its relevance and validity and safeguard the core values and basic principles of the WTO, and agreed that the WTO should embody the interests of all members, developing economies in particular.

December 2

Siu-Ka-Pha Divas observed on December 2
  • Asom Divas, a day to remember the contributions of the first Ahom king Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha, was observed in various places in Assam.
  • Since 1996 December 2 has been celebrated in Assam as the Sukaphaa Divawkh, or Axom Divawkh (Assam Day), to commemorate the advent of the first king of the Ahom kingdom in Assam after his journey over the Patkai Hills.

FACTFILE – Chaolung Sukaphaa (r. 1228–1268)

  • Siu-Ka-Pha was the first Ahom king in medieval Assam, was the founder of the Ahom kingdom.
  • A Tai prince originally from Mong Mao, the kingdom he established in 1228 existed for nearly six hundred years and in the process unified the various indigenous ethnic groups of the region that left a deep impact on the region.
Rajnath Singh to inaugurate Hornbill Festival
  • Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the 19th edition of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama village.
  • Nagaland Governor PB Acharya will be the chief host on the occasion, while US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I Juster, has been invited as the guest of honour.
  • The Nagaland Government has earmarked Rs 5 crore for the festival, which will culminate on December 10. The celebrations and programmes have been scheduled in five districts of the State including Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Phek and Wokha, she said.
  • The annual festival unites one and all, while promoting the tourism prospects of the State. The festival aims to display the rich traditions and the vibrant culture of Nagaland through colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies.
  • The heritage village of Kisama has been made a plastic-free zone. The visitor turnout to Kisama stood at 2.43 lakh last year and the number might swell this year.
Kaziranga National Park home to 907 Eastern Swamp Deer
  • During a Census of Eastern Swamp Deer in Kaziranga National Park, physical counting of the species in Kaziranga National Park had put the total population of Eastern Swamp Deer at 907, which is less than the last census figure carried out in 2016, where the total population was 1,148.
  • Last year’s heavy flood in Kaziranga had killed many wild animals, including Eastern Swamp Deer.

FACTFILE – The barasingha or swamp deer

  • The barasingha deer species distributed in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Populations in northern and central India are fragmented, and two isolated populations occur in southwestern Nepal. It is extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • The swamp deer differs from all the Indian deer species in that the antlers carry more than three tines.
  • Because of this distinctive character it is designated barasingha, meaning “twelve-tined.”
  • Mature stags have 10 to 14 tines, and some have been known to have up to 20.
  • It is listed on CITES Appendix I. In India, it is included under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
  • It is put under Vulnerable category in IUCN conservation status.
G-20 Summit endorses multilateral trade system and WTO reforms
  • The G-20 Summit concluded on 1st December, with members endorsing the multilateral trading system, and calling for reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
  • International trade and investment are important engines of growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and development.
  • The system is currently falling short of its objectives and there is room for improvement. Therefore support the necessary reform of the WTO to improve its functioning.
  • Signatories to the Paris Agreement, reaffirm that the Paris Agreement is irreversible and commit to its full implementation, reflecting common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
  • The two-day summit discussed issues such as the future of work, infrastructure for development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international trade, among others.
  • India to host G-20 summit in 2022, coinciding with the country’s 75th anniversary of Independence. PM Modi thanked Italy for allowing India to play the host. Italy was to host the international forum in 2022.

FACTFILE – G-20

  • The G-20 is a grouping of the world’s 20 major economies.
  • G-20 members comprise Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US. Spain is a permanent guest invitee.
  • Collectively, the G-20 economies account for nearly 90 per cent of the gross world product, 80 per cent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area.
DAC approves purchase of BrahMos, armoured vehicles
  • The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of equipment worth Rs 3,000 crore which included the BrahMos missile for Navy ships and Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) for the Army’s main battle tank Arjun.
  • The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved the procurement of the indigenous BrahMos missile for two Indian Navy ships to be built in Russia.
  • The indigenously designed BrahMos missile is a tested and proven supersonic cruise missile and will form the primary weapon on-board these ships.
  • The ARVs to be procured are designed and developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation and would be manufactured by M/S BEML.
  • ARVs ensure efficient and speedy repair and recovery operations during combat.
ASEAN experts to meet on military medicine in Lucknow
  • A four-day meeting of experts in military medicine from ASEAN countries, being co-chaired by India and Myanmar, will be held here from 2nd The objective is to establish better cooperation in medical operations amongst the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries.
  • For civil support by military operations other than war, especially humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.
  • There will be expert working group on military medicine, 4th bilateral talks between India and Myanmar, a table-top exercise and planning for field training exercises encompassing broad themes.
  • Around 50 delegates from various countries and officers from India’s Army Medical Corps are likely to participate in the event.
  • The event aims to establish preparedness and response mechanisms to manage mass casualties and outbreak of infectious diseases resulting from large-scale disasters as also to facilitate synergy, better understanding, increase capability of the combined operations amongst the Armed Forces of Asean member states and Asean Plus countries.

FACTFILE – ASEAN nations and thier Capital

  1. Nation of Brunei – Bandar Seri Begawan
  2. Cambodia – Phnom Penh
  3. Indonesia – Jakarta
  4. Lao People’s Democratic Republic – Vientiane
  5. Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur
  6. Republic of the Union of Myanmar – Naypyidaw
  7. Republic of the Philippines – Manila     
  8. Republic of Singapore – Singapore
  9. Kingdom of Thailand – Bangkok
  10. Socialist Republic of Vietnam – Hanoi
Govt launches ‘Digital Sky Platform’ online platform for registration of drones
  • The Union Civil Aviation Ministry launched the ‘Digital Sky Platform’ for the registration of drones and their operators. Nano drones in India can start flying legally with immediate effect from 1st December as the Civil Aviation regulations come into force.
  • For drones, operators and pilots are required to register on the Digital Sky Portal. Payments for Unmanned Aerial Operator’s Permit (UAOP) and Unique Identification Numbers (UIN) will be accepted through the Bharat Kosh (bharatkosh.gov.in) portal.
  • To get permissions to fly Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), operators or remote pilots will have to file a flight plan.
  • Flying in the ‘green zones’ will require only intimation of the time and location of the flights via the portal or the app.
  • Permissions will be required for flying in ‘yellow zones’ and flights will not be allowed in the ‘red zones’.
  • The government in August had announced a policy and guidelines for drones designed to open up an array of opportunities in the Indian civil aviation sector.
  • The regulations are intended to enable visual line-of-sight, daytime only and a maximum of 400 feet altitude operations.
  • The regulations list various categories of drones, and all of these except the “nano” type weighing less than 250 gram and those owned by government and intelligence agencies, are to be registered and issued with a Unique Identification Number (UIN).

 

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