WBCS Current Affairs 21/08/2015 to 28/08/2015

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1. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully placed communication satellite GSAT-6 into its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit. It was launched by the indigenously built Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D6 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta. About GSAT-6 satellite GSAT-6 satellite was carrying S-Band transponders meant for strategic purposes. The satellite is having S-Band Unfurlable Antenna of 6 m diameter. This is the largest antenna ever made by ISRO for a satellite. GSAT-6 satellite will be deployed in constellation of India’s GSAT communication satellites. It weighs 2117 kg and has mission life of nine years. Application: to provide S-band communication services across the country. About GSLV-D6 GSLV-D6 is three-stage heavy weight rocket with indigenously made Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). CUS provides rocket more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to earlier solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages. This was the overall 9th flight of the GSLV and marks the second successful GSLV launch using an indigenous cryogenic engine. This successful launch of indigenous rocket with 2 tonnes payload capacity validates India’s expertise in mastering the complex cryogenic technology which has so far been in the exclusive domain of just a few countries.

2. Union Government has declared the names of 98 cities for its ambitious Smart Cities Project. These cities were selected by the respective States and Union Territories on the parameters set by the Union Government. Of the total 98 cities, 13 were selected from Uttar Pradesh, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 10 from Maharashtra, 7 from Madhya Pradesh, 3 each from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. These 98 cities has around 13 crore population and constitute around 35 per cent of urban population of India which will be covered under the mission. All other remaining states in India also have got one or two cities for the purpose Smart Cities Project except Jammu and Kashmir which has sought more time for selecting cities for the project. These selected cities will get two crore rupees each for the preparation of the smart city plan with the prime motive to enhance urban life with very practical and realistic approach. Union Government has proposed to provide financial support of 48,000 crore rupees to this project over next five years. Of this amount, 200 crore rupees will be released during the first year. It should be noted this project will be implemented by states, union territories and urban local bodies as they have an important role to play in the implementation.
In WB- Haldia, Siliguri,Durgapur/Asansole.

3.Former Adobe executive Rajiv Mangla has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of eCommerce major Snapdeal. In his new role, Mangla will help to establish Snapdeal’s technical vision and lead all aspects of its technological development of the company.

4. World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has been appointed as a new goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Prior to this appointment he has focused on the issues of vulnerable children and their communities through his own Novak Djokovic Foundation and as a UNICEF Serbia Ambassador.

5. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal for payment of differential royalty in respect of 28 discovered fields to the respective State Governments concerned. These 28 discovered fields were awarded by the Union Government to different companies in states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat during the years 1994-95, 2001 and 2004. The royalty payment will be through budgetary allocation from the year 2015-16 onwards instead of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) fund. Financial Implication: The estimated expenditure for the year 2015-16 based on this payment mechanism has been estimated at 56 crore rupees of which 30 crore rupees for Arunachal Pradesh and 26 crore rupees for Gujarat. This expenditure is calculated assuming average crude oil price of 50 US dollars per barrel and one US dollar being equivalent to 60 rupees. Background The Standing Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas (SCPNG) while examining the functioning of OIDB had recommended that differential Royalty to the concerned State Governments should be made through budgetary allocation, rather than OIDB fund in order to ensure proper utilization of the fund. What is Payment of differential royalty? In the approved proposal, payment of differential royalty is the difference between the rates of Royalty as per provisions of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and the notified rate of Royalty on crude oil production. What is current Royalty payment mechanism? Currently, OIDB pays differential Royalty to respective State Governments based on the Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Act, 1948 and Petroleum & Natural Gas Rules, 1959. In this case, the differential Royalty is the difference between the Royalty rates as per PSC and the notified rate of Royalty on crude oil production.

6. India has inked an information exchange agreement on tax matters with Seychelles in order to curb tax evasion and boost its efforts to fight against black money. The agreement was signed after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Seychelles President James Alix Michel who is on three days visit to India.

7. Union Cabinet gave its nod to amend the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for Gujarat and Uttarakhand for inclusion of Sipai and Patni Jamat or Turk Jamat (all Muslims) from Gujarat and Kahar, Tanwar Singhariya from Uttarakhand in the list. Decision to make suitable amendments in the Central List of OBCs was taken Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Ministeri Narendra Modi based on advice from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

8. India and Egypt have signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in the field of Tourism, Scientific and Technical. These MoUS were signed during the visit of Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Egypt in Egypt.

9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 August 2015 inaugurated birth centenary celebrations of freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu. On this occasion he launched commemorative coin of 100 rupees and circulation coin of 5 rupees of Rani Gaidinliu to mark her birth centenary celebrations.

10. As per recently released 2011 census data on religion, the proportion Muslim population in India has increased by 0.8 per cent and Hindu population has declined by 0.7 per cent. This religion based data during 2001-2011 was released by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. Key facts Population Composition: The total population of India was 121.09 crore population of which 96.63 crores are Hindus, 17.22 crores are Muslims, 2.78 crore are Christians. Sikhs constitutes 2.08 crore, Buddhist 84 lakh, Jains 45 lakh and other religions and persuasions 79 lakh. Growth Rate: The overall decadal population growth rate was 17. 7 per cent. The growth rate of Muslims was 24.6 per cent, Hindus 16.8, Christians 15.5, Sikh 8.4, Buddhist 6.1 and Jain 5.4 per cent. Sikh population has declined by 0.2 per cent and Buddhist by 0.1 per cent. There has been no significant change in the population of Jains and Christians. Top 5 states/UTs having highest Muslim Population: Lakshadweep (96.2 per cent), Jammu & Kashmir (68.3), Assam (34. 2), West Bengal (27) and Kerala (26.6). As per 2001 census, India’s total population was 102 crores of which Muslim population comprised of 13.8 crore (13.4 per cent) and Hindu were 82.75 crore (80.45 per cent).

11. Union Government has announced it plans to implement the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in letter and spirit. It was announced by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Kiren Rijiju after inaugurating a workshop on Enhancing Private Sector Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi. About Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 It was adopted during the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan in March 2015. Its adaptation involves adopting integrated and inclusive institutional measures in order to work towards preventing vulnerability to disaster. It also seeks to increase preparedness for response and recovery and strengthen resilience in case of disaster. It opts for considering the experience gained through international and the regional strategies/institutions and plans for disaster risk reduction.

12. Union Government has launched a telemedicine initiative dubbed as Sehat to provide healthcare facilities in rural areas in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals. This telemedicine initiative was launched by Union Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a function held in New Delhi. Key facts It will seek to provide quality and affordable healthcare services as it is one of the emerging needs of citizens in rural areas. Under the Sehat initiative people will be able to consult doctors through video link i.e. Vice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and also order generic drugs. It will use Common Service Centres (CSCs) for delivering tele-consultation services with support from Medanta and Apollo Hospitals in some areas. CSCs will promote sale of generic drugs through collaboration with Union Health Ministry by setting up Jan Aushadhi Stores and also provide diagnostic services. This initiative has been extended to 60,000 centres across the country for the telemedicine consultation services in the rural areas.

13. Union Government has announced names of recipients of Dronacharya Awards, Dhyan Chand Awards and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for year the 2015. Dronacharya Award 2015 Naval Singh- Athletics Para-sports coach. Anoop Singh– Wrestling coach. Harbans Singh- Athletics coach. Swatantar Raj Singh- Boxing coach. Nihar Ameen- Swimming coach. Dhyan Chand Award 2015 Romeo James– Hockey. Shiv Prakash Mishra- Tennis. P.P Nair– Volleyball. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2015 Directorate General of Military Training (DGMT) – for identifying and nurturing of young talent in sports. Coal India Limited (CIL) – for encouraging sports through Corporate Social Responsibility. Haryana State Police- For employing sportspersons and sports welfare measures. Sports Coaching Foundation (SCF)- For development of sports. The awardees will receive the awards from the President Pranab Mukherjee at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhawan to be held on 29 August 2015. Dhyan Chand Awardees and Dronacharya Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash award of 5 lakh rupees each. While, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (RKPP) awardees will receive certificates and trophies.

14. India and Nepal have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of Raxaul-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline. This pipeline will be the first of its kind project between two neighbouring countries in the SAARC region in the oil and gas sector. The MoU was signed by Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and his Nepali counterpart Sunil Bahadur Thapa (Nepal’s commerce and supplies minister) in Kathmandu.

15. Justice Madanlal Laxmandas Tahaliyani has sworn-in as the new Lokayukta of Maharashtra. He was administered the oath of office by the Governor Vidyasagar Rao at the oath taking ceremony held in Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.

16. Veteran actor and director Amol Palekar has been appointed as the Chairman of India’s Oscar jury by Mumbai based Film Federation of India (FFI). He will head the 17-member jury panel which will select the Indian films official entry in the best foreign film category of the 88th Academy Awards which will be held in Los Angeles in February 2016.

17. South and North Korea have reached an agreement to defuse a crisis that had pushed the two rivals to the brink of armed conflict recently. In this regard both nations have issued a joint statement which includes series of measures. Key facts North Korea has expressed regret and publicly apologised over mine blasts which had occurred earlier in August 2015 in demilitarized zone between both countries. The mine had seriously injured two South Korean soldiers on border patrol. In retaliation for the mine blasts, South Korea had resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts into North Korea. But in joint statement it has agreed to halt loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts into North Korea. Both countries also agreed to work towards resumption of reunions for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War in September 2015. They also agreed to hold official talks in either capital city Seoul or Pyongyang at a date to be decided.

18. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Chennai based M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) have agreed to work together for the conservation and adaptation initiative of coastal resources in Andhra Pradesh. In this regard, UNFCCC has sanctioned 3.8 crore rupees through an adaptation fund for the implementation of potential adaptation strategy of MSSRF in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.

19. Gujarat is set to become the first state in India to launch ‘Agro-Solar Policy’ to encourage the farmers to tap the solar energy. The new policy seeks to encourage the farmers in the state to tap free solar energy from sun, which will in turn help them to earn additional income from power generation companies. Key facts Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) will be nodal implementing agency for projects under this policy. Farmers can use the free solar energy for their own consumption purpose and sell the surplus energy to the state run power generation companies. Thus, power generation companies and farmers will be in a win-win situation with generation of solar energy in agricultural fields. Power generation companies will set up solar photo voltaic (SPV) plants in different agricultural fields for the purpose of power generation without disturbing agricultural production. It should be noted that these SPV plants have been already tested in different agricultural universities in the State. On the experimental basis power generation companies like Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited (GIPCL), Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) and Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) have already set up SPV plants in farm fields The SPV plant will be set up on poles in the fields so that farmers can also grow their crops. After buying surplus power, power generation companies will give 30 to 40 per cent share from the profit to the farmers. Some other successful solar projects in Gujarat State has Asia’s largest solar power plant in Charanka village in Patan district which is built on a 2,000-hectare land. In January 2015, the first canal-top solar power plant (10 MW solar capacity) was inaugurated by UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon on Narmada canal in Vadodara.

20. Bandhan Bank has become the first micro-finance company in India to start operation as full-fledged scheduled commercial bank. The bank was inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Kolkata, ushering in a new era in country’s banking sector to reach out to the unbanked population. Key facts Bandhan Bank has begun its operations after it had received an in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India in April 2014 and final nod on June, 2015. It was established in 2001 as a not-for-profit micro-finance enterprise by Chandra Shekhar Ghosh with an aim to alleviate poverty by empowering women. Later in 2006, it had transformed itself into a non-banking finance company (NBFC). Bandhan Bank will now primarily cater to the unorganized sector in India like daily wage earners and women running small businesses. Headquarters: It has two divisions viz. micro banking and general banking. As a bank, it will also offer services like savings, remittance and insurance services. Presently, it has 501 branches, 2022 service centres and 50 ATMs across 24 states. Over 71 per cent of its branches are in rural India including 35 per cent in unbanked rural pockets. State-wise, West Bengal has highest 220 branches, followed by Bihar (67), Assam (60), Maharashtra (21), Uttar Pradesh and Tripura (20 each) and Jharkhand (15). It should be noted that prior to starting operation as commercial bank, Bandhan was World’s largest Non-Deposit-accepting Microfinance Institution (MFI) and India’s largest microfinance company.

21. Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt has won world 100 metre title in the World Athletics Championships held in Beijing, China. With this victory he retained his 100 metre title which was won earlier in 2009. In the blue riband event, Bolt ran a season’s best of 9.79 seconds winning gold medal. While Justin Gatlin of United States finished at the second spot in 9.80sec, taking silver medal.

22. A Syria-based woman journalist Zaina Erhaim has won the prestigious 2015 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism. She was bestowed with this award for her efforts to train citizen reporters in her war-ravaged country. She has trained about 100 citizen reporters (third of them are women) from inside Syria over the last two years. She also has helped in establishing new, independent newspapers and magazines in the war-torn country. Presently, Erhaim lives and works in Aleppo, Syria and will be presented with this award at a ceremony to be held at the National Press Club in Washington in late October 2015. It should be noted that since 2011, the media rights group has listed Syria as the deadliest country for journalists.

23. A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee has recommended conversion of Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) with business size of 20,000 crore rupees or more into regular banks. This recommendation was given by the High Powered Committee on UCBs headed by RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi in its report. Recommendations Conversion of UCBs will not be compulsory for large UCBs and they can continue the way they operate currently in terms of asset size and balance sheet. Large UCBs can convert themselves into commercial banks in order to minimise the systemic risk. For conversion, smaller UCBs with business size of less than 20,000 crore rupees who are willing to convert to Small Finance Banks can apply to the RBI. Licenses for conversion to operate as UCBs will be issued to well-managed and financially sound cooperative credit societies having a minimum track record of 5-years. With the conversion, UCBs will be allowed to grow and proliferate further to meet the objective of financial inclusion. Background The High Powered Committee on UCBs was constituted in January 2015 on the recommendation Malegam Committee (Expert Committee on Licensing of New UCBs). Terms and reference of the committee was to examine and recommend on issues of conversion of UCBs into commercial banks. The committee work was to examine permissible business lines and appropriate size of UCBs for conversion purpose.

24. Union Finance Ministry appointed committee chaired by retired SC judge A P Shah has recommended that Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) should not be imposed on FIIs retrospectively for the period preceding 1st April 2015 This recommendation is considered as a big relief to FIIs as government had exempted them from MAT starting April 1, 2015 in the Union Budget for 2015-16 but had not made the clarification retrospective imposition. In its report committee has mention that there is no legal basis for levying 20 per cent MAT on past capital gains of FIIs.

25. Punjabi University of Patiala has clinched the prestigious sports award Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) trophy for year 2014. The Trophy will be awarded to Univeristy on 29 August 2015 on the occasion of National Sports Day.

26. Gujarat High Court has stayed implementation of the compulsory voting in the panchayat and municipal polls under the provision of Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2009. Ruling in this regard was given by High Court Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel and Justice J.B. Pardiwala on public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. Background Gujarat had become the first state in India to make voting compulsory in local polls after Governor O.P. Kohli gave assent to Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009 in November 2014. The law had strict provision mentioning that any person in state, who does not vote in the local body polls, will be liable for penal action and punishment. It also had empowered the State Election Commission to declare an absent voter as defaulter, except in case person out of station or illness. Subsequently, State government also had framed rules for implementation of this Act by pertaining to the penal actions to be initiated against those who do not exercise their franchise in the municipal and district panchayat polls.

27. Chengalikodan banana variety from Thrissur district of Kerala has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Chennai based Central GI registry. This banana variant is uniquely grown in Chowannur, Pazhayannur, Wadakkanchery, Puzhakkal and Ollukkara block panchayats in Thrissur district of Kerala. Chengalikodan banana is known for its unique shape, size, colour and taste. It was cultivated in erstwhile Chengazhikode from where it got its name as Chengazhikodan banana which was later changed as Chengalikodan banana. Other GI status products from Kerala Vazhakkulam pineapple, Central Travancore jaggery, Pokkali rice, Palakkadan matta rice, Wayanadan scented rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala are other agricultural products from Kerala already having GI status. About Geographical Indication (GI) status Geographical Indication is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries. These products have special quality or reputation attributable to its geographical origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Advantages: GI status confers legal protection to these products and prevents unauthorised use of it by others. It promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods and also helps consumers get quality products of desired traits. Darjeeling tea was the first agricultural product in India to be accorded with GI tag. Presently, there are nearly 200 unique products registered as GIs in India.

28. Ranil Wickremesinghe has sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for fourth time. He was administered the oath of office by President Maithripala Sirisena at the oath taking ceremony held at Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

29. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has announced his resignation in a televised address to the debt ridden nation which is centre of Eurozone crisis. He has submitted his resignation to President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and called for snap elections as early as possible. Mr. Tsipras resigned in order to defend the country’s massive new 86 billion euro bailout programme which had triggered a rebellion within his own left-wing Syriza party. He was elected as Prime Minister after his left-wing party had emerged victorious in general election held in January 2015. Mr. Tsipras’s this decision leaves Greece in the hands of a caretaker government until the election to elect new government takes place which is expected to be held on September 2015.

30. Union government has announced to sell 10 per cent stake in state owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). This disinvestment drive on the stock market through an offer for sale (OFS) will fetch Union Government about 9,500 crore rupees to the exchequer. The 10 per cent stake in IOC comprises 24.27 crore shares.

31. Video sharing portal YouTube has announced to set up a new “YouTube Space” in Mumbai with Asia’s largest and most renowned film schools the Whistling Woods International (WWI). The ‘YouTube Space’ at WWI will provide production facility for YouTube video creators as well as the students of WWI where they can learn video production.

32.Manipur Government has reached an agreement with the Joint Committee on the Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) over the issue of implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. It was reached after a marathon talk between the state government and the delegation of JCILPS led by its Convenor in-Charge Khomdram Ratan. This agreement seeks to safeguard the rights of indigenous people of Manipur insertion of five major points in the proposed Draft Bill in this regard. It should be noted that JCILPS is spearheading the movement for implementation of IPL system in this north eastern state. What is Inner Line Permit (ILP) system? The Inner Line Permit system (ILP) is a special pass or permit or quasi visa that is required by Indian citizens to enter protected/restricted area of state for a limited period. Origin: It was introduced by then British India government to protect indigenous tribal people from encroachment into their areas by outsiders. Later, they used it as an instrument to advance the commercial interest. In this case, protected area/restricted area under ILP regime is notified by Union Government and ILP is issued by state governments under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. This permit or quasi visa regime is presently operational in three northeastern states viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.

33. Pakistan and Russia have signed a landmark defence deal including the sale of 4 advance Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ combat helicopters to Pakistan. The agreement was signed by top defence officials from both countries in Rawalpindi as per negotiations for the deal which had taken place in 2014. Earlier in November 2014, both countries had signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement to strengthen military-to-military relations between them.

34. On 20 August 2015, Government launched a web-based portal www.vidyalakshmi.co.in for the students seeking educational loans. In order to ensure that no student misses out on higher education due to lack of funds, finance minister in the Union Budget for 2015-16 had proposed to set a fully IT-based Student Financial Aid Authority. In line with this proposal this portal was launched with an aim to administer and monitor scholarship as well as educational loan schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram (PMVLK). The launch of this portal also aims to bring all banks providing educational loans under one roof.
Note: PMVLK was launched on 15 July 2015 under the government’s ambitious National Skill Development Mission.