Daily Current Affairs : September 29, 2017

NATIONAL

Union Cabinet approves umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces:

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for implementation of umbrella scheme of “Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF)” for years 2017-18 to 2019-20.The financial outlay for the scheme over the three year’s period is Rs.25,060 crore, out of which the Central Government share will be Rs.18,636 crore and the States’ share will be Rs.6,424 crore.

CISF Security at Mumbai Airport Rated Best in World:

The security cover by CISF at India’s Mumbai airport has been recognized as the best service in this domain by a global quality-rating agency.

The World Quality Congress (WQC) has awarded the best security award to the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Based on the independent evaluation by the WQC, the awards are considered as recognition of excellence demonstrated by agencies in the commerce and industry space of the country/globe.

Maharashtra

• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
• Governor: Vidyasagar Rao

Himachal Pradesh Governor Vrat flagged off Mountain Biking (MTB) Himalaya cycle race:

In Himachal Pradesh, the Asia’s oldest Mountain Biking (MTB) Himalaya cycle race was flagged off by the state Governor Acharya Dev Vrat from the Ridge Maidan. The rally will be concluded in Dharamshala on October 7th and October 2nd will be the rest day.
On this occasion, Governor Acharya Dev Vrat urged national riders to promote the Indian culture amongst their fellow international riders and said that pollution is not just of the environment but also of thoughts.

Himachal Pradesh

• Capital: Shimla
• Chief Minister: Virbhadra Singh
• Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat

Gujarat to be first big state to use EVMs with VVPAT:

Gujarat will be the first big state where the coming Assembly elections will be conducted with Electronic Voting Machine equipped with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). State Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary Mr. B. B. Sawain announced this at a press conference in Gandhinagar.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that Gujarat will be the second state after Goa to use the VVPAT system for the Assembly elections.

Gujarat

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
• Governor: Om Prakash Kohli

Home Ministry sets up expert committee suggests ways to tackle cybercrime:

A high-level committee set up to recommend new laws or amendments to deal with hate speech on the Internet, has submitted its report to the Home Ministry.

The committee, headed by former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, T K Viswanathan, has recommended appointing cybercrime coordinators in all states and establishing cybercrime cells in each district.

It has also suggested replacing some clauses of the IT Act and amending some sections of the IPC. A Ministry spokesperson said that the report is being examined.

The committee was formed after the Supreme Court struck down Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act.

INTERNATIONAL

Asian Development Bank to Increase Annual Lending to India to $4 billion:

The Asian Development Bank said it will increase its annual lending to India to a maximum of $4 billion between 2018 and 2022 to help fasten inclusive economic transformation towards upper middle income status.

“ADB’s programme in India will focus on three main pillars of activity during the 5-year period — boosting economic competitiveness to create more and well-paid jobs, improved access to infrastructure and services, and addressing climate change and improving climate resilience,”.

Asian Development Bank

• Headquarters: Philippines
• Chairman: Takehiko Nakao

India, Norway extends bilateral cooperation in health sector:

India and Norway have extended bilateral cooperation in health sector through the Norway-India Partnership Initiative for a period of three years starting 2018. A letter of Intent was signed to this effect in New Delhi between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The cooperation between the two countries will continue to be aligned with the development goals of India as outlined in its National Health Policy 2017 for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The Partnership Initiative now extends to Jammu and Kashmir and four other States- Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are already covered under it.

Norway

• Currency: Norwegian krone
• Capital: Oslo

Interpol approves Palestinian membership:

Interpol has admitted the Palestinian territories as a new member, despite opposition from Israel. The international policing organization supported membership for the State of Palestine at its annual general assembly. Interpol said it also approved the membership applications by the Solomon Islands.

Israel

• Currency: Israeli new shekel
• Capital: Jerusalem

Palestine

• Currencies: Israeli new shekel, Egyptian pound, Jordanian dinar
• Capital: East Jerusalem

Russia and US Partner to Build 1st Ever Space Station Near Moon:

Russia and the United States have agreed to co-operate on a NASA-led project to build the first lunar space station, part of a long-term project to explore deep space and send humans to Mars.

The gateway would help prepare for manned missions to deep space destinations including Mars. NASA and Roscosmos are two of the major partners in the $100-billion Earth-orbiting International Space Station (ISS).

US

• President of the United States: Donald Trump
• Currency: United States Dollar
• Capital: Washington, D.C.

Russia

• Russian President: Vladimir Putin.
• Currency: Russian ruble
• Capital: Moscow

’Incredible India’ campaign launched in Cairo’:

India launched a campaign to woo Egyptian travellers and make them aware of the magnificent holiday options in the country.

The month-long “Incredible India!” campaign has been organised by the Embassy of India in Cairo, in coordination with the India Tourism Office in Dubai, the Cairo Governorate, and the Cairo Public Transport Authority.

It was flagged off jointly by India’s Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Governor of Cairo Governorate Eng Atef Abdel Hamid and officials from Cairo Transport Authority.

Egypt

• Currency: Egyptian pound
• Capital: Cairo

BANKING & BUSINESS

IBBI Registered National E-Governance Services Limited as Information Utility:

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) registered National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) as an Information Utility (IU) under the IBBI (Information Utilities) Regulations, 2017. This registration is valid for five years from the date of registration. NeSL becomes the first IU registered by the IBBI. NeSL has appointed Mr. G.M. Srinivasa Bhat as Compliance Officer under regulation 11 of the IBBI (Information Utilities) Regulations, 2017.

Mr. N. Rangachary: Independent Director and Chairman

Cabinet approves pacts signed by Exim Bank under BRICS mechanism:

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on General Cooperation with New Development Bank (NDB) through the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism by Government at the level of Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs/ Export Import Bank of India.

The proposal will enhance trade and economic relations among the BRICS countries. There is no financial implication involved with signing of the MoU. The participating institutions from the BRICS nations will be benefitted by this MoU.

GST revenue collections in August at Rs 90,669 cr:

Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collections in August stood at 90,669 crore rupees. The Finance Ministry also released the revised data of GST collection for July which is to the tune of 94,063 crore rupees.

Reliance Industries world’s third-largest energy firm, says Platts rankings:

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd has jumped five places to rank as the world’s third-biggest energy company behind Russian gas giant Gazprom and German utility E.ON, according to Platts Top 250 global energy company rankings released. Public sector Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) broke into the top 10 club, climbing to 7th position in the 2017 ranking, up from 14th rank in 2016.

APPOINTMENTS

Bilal Dar from Srinagar becomes an ambassador for Swachhata Hi Seva:  

Bilal Dar, a young boy from Srinagar has become the brand ambassador for Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Dar has been contributing to the  ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’ since the age of 12. He found a mention in the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s recent Mann Ki Baat. The Indian Coast Guards also conducted a special Shramdaan and Clean Up drive along with tree plantation at their premises as part of “Swachhta Hi Seva, Pakhwada”.

SPORTS

India wins nine gold medals at 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games:

With 9 gold, 12 silver and 19 bronze, India finished at 11th position in the Games. Hosts Turkmenistan topped the medals tally with 89 gold, 70 silver and 86 bronze, followed by China and Iran.

Turkmenistan

• Currency: Turkmenistan manat
• Capital: Ashgabat

HISTORIC EVENT OF THE DAY

World Maritime Day is observed on 28 September:

The World Maritime Day is celebrated across the world on 28 September across the world.

2017 Theme: Connecting Ships, Ports and People

World Rabies Day is observed on 28th September:

World Rabies Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention.

The 2017 World Rabies Day theme is ‘Rabies: Zero by 30’.

This day also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist, and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.