Current Affairs Update 12 September 2018
Current Affairs is an important part for many exams. Be prepared for this section with ByScoop which brings all the important Current Affairs in one place. 12 September 2018
Important Cabinet Approvals September 12 2018
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the following important MoUs and programmes/initiatives.
| India | Brunei Darussalam | Cooperation in the operation of Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand station for satellite and launch vehicles Cooperation in the field of Space Research, Science and Applications |
| India | South Africa | Cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes |
| India | Egypt | Cooperation in the field of agriculture & allied sectors. |
| India | Malta | Strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism |
Center notifies Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018
- Environment Ministry has notified rules to regulate pet shops. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018. Important Points are below mentioned:
- Pet shops will have to get a certificate of registration from the State Animal Welfare Board.
- Every pet shop registered under it will have to submit a report to the state board annually with information regarding the total number of “animals sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away, boarded, exhibited, died or euthanised.etc.”
- Pet shops will not be located within the vicinity of 100 metres from butcher shops, or butcheries, or abattoirs.
Centre to establish web-based ‘knowledge lab’ to share technologies for affordable housing
- Government will launch an online knowledge lab ‘Housing for All – Knowledge Lab’ for states and union territories, to meet its vision of housing for all by 2022. It will detail ways to execute affordable housing projects through new technologies and innovative designs.
- According to the Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) Ministry, the laboratory will act as a source of information on the matters related to affordable housing in the country.
India Focus Country in Izmir International Trade Show, Turkey
- India was the Focus Country at the 87th Izmir International Trade Show in Turkey held from 7th to 11th September, 2018.
- The Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) launched a mega business pavilion ‘Source India’ hosting 75 Indian companies during the function for displaying products like ceramics, cereals and mechanical appliances.
- TPCI is the trade and investment promotion organization of the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce &Industry and works to open new areas for co-operation in trade and investment between India and rest of the world.
MEA, TCIL Inks Agreement For E-VBAB Network Project
- The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL) have signed agreement for implementation of e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati (e-VBAB) Network Project in Africa.
- The total value of the project is Rs. 865 Crores and will provide E- health and education in Africa.
- The Phase I of the Pan-African e-Network Project (Phase 1) has already been implemented in 48 partner countries across Africa from 2009 till 2017. The second phase will span for a period of 5 years
- The project aims at providing Tele Education and Tele Medicine services by linking elite Indian Universities and Super Specialty Hospitals with those from participating countries from Africa using Internet as transmission media.
Apsara – U Reactor Becomes Operational at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay
- “Apsara”, the first research reactor in Asia became operational in Trombay campus of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in August 1956. The reactor was shut down in 2009.
- A swimming pool type research reactor “Apsara-upgraded” (Apsara-U), of higher capacity was born at Trombay on 10th September 2018
GIC Re ranked 10th in the Top 40 Global Reinsurers: S&P Global Ratings
- Government-owned reinsurance company, General Ins. Corp. of India (GIC Re), has secured 10th position amongst the top 40 global reinsurers in the Top 40 Global Reinsurers as per the S&P Global Ratings.
- The list has been topped by Munich Re of Germany.
Andhra launches E-Rythu to Boost Cashless Farm Ecosystem
- The government of Andhra Pradesh has launched a mobile platform named e-Rythu (e-farmer in Telugu) to enable small-scale farmers to market their produce at reasonable prices.
- The platform has been developed by global payments and technology company Mastercard Labs for Financial Inclusion in Nairobi, Kenya and has been customized for India use by the Labs team based at Pune.
- e-Rythu will digitize agriculture marketplaces, payments, workflows, and provide farmers an easy and secure way to buy, sell and receive payments for agricultural products via their feature phones.
Unlisted firms to issue new shares only in demat form from October 02, 2018
- Government has announced that unlisted public companies have to compulsorily issue new shares in the demat form from October 2. This is a part of its drive against benami entities.
- Any grievances arising out of dematerialisation of securities will be handled by the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) Authority.
- This step has been taken for “further enhancing transparency, investor protection and governance in the corporate sector”, the Corporate Affairs Ministry said in a release.
D. Shivakumar elected as chairman of ASCI
- Former PepsiCo India head D. Shivakumar has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the advertising watchdog The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
- Shivkumar is presently the Group Executive President, corporate strategy, at the Aditya Birla group.
- Rohit Gupta was elected as the vice-chairman and Shashidhar Sinha was re-appointed as the honorary treasurer.
HDFC Life appoints Vibha Padalkar as new MD & CEO
- HDFC Life, largest private life insurers, has announced the appointment of Vibha Padalkar as its new Managing Director and CEO for a period of three years effective from September 12, 2018.
Freedom fighter Goura Chandra Mohapatra passes away
- Veteran freedom fighter Goura Chandra Mohapatra passed away at the age of 104 in Bhubaneswar. Mohapatra was jailed during Quit India Movement in 1942.
- Mohapatra was the son of poet ‘Kantakabi’ Laxmikanta Mohapatra, who penned the famous song “Bande Utkal Janani.”
Padma Bhushan Awardee Economist VS Vyas Passes Away
Padma Bhushan awardee and noted agricultural economist Vijay Shankar Vyas passed away after a brief illness. He was 87.