Current Affairs Update 19 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. 19 September 2018
Important Cabinet Approvals on September 19, 2018
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved various proposals. These includes:
- Equity infusion of Rs 1,033.54 crore by state-owned Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF) for setting up a Coal Gasification based fertilizer project in Talcher Fertilizer Ltd. (TFL), Odisha.
- Revised Cost Estimate of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) at the revised cost of Rs 3466 crore with the financial assistance of the World Bank to improve safety and operational performance of 198 Dams
- Enhancement of honorarium to Anganwadi Workers/Anganwadi Helpers (AWWs/AWHs)and performance linked incentive to AWHs [Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme] with a total cost of Rs. 10,649.41 crore (GoI Share) for the period from 01.10.2018 to 31.03.2020. The enhanced rate of honorarium and performance linked incentive would be effective from 1st October, 2018.
- Construct new line between Budni to Indore (Mangaliyagaon) with approximate length of 205.5 Km. Total estimated cost of this project is Rs. 3261.82 crore.
- ASHA Benefit Package w.e.f. October, 2018 (to be paid in November, 2018) that entails an expenditure (Central funding) to Rs.1224.97 crore for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba Launches ‘e-Sahaj’ Portal for Grant of Security Clearance
- The Union Home Ministry has launched an online ‘e-Sahaj’ portal to grant Security Clearance to business proposals relating to sensitive sectors and geographical locations.
- The portal will facilitate an individual and private companies to submit application online and also to view the status of his application from time to time.
- The project launched by Union Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba will make the process standardized, resulting in a process which will be faster, transparent and easy to monitor.
Prime Minister to Lay Foundation Stone of Convention Centre in New Delhi
- Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will lay the foundation stone of India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) in New Delhi on September 19, 2018.
- The IICC is being developed as a state of the art centre to promote Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) activities to attract and promote business and industry for growth of industrial development in the country.
- The project is planned over an area of 221.37 acres in Sector 25 Dwarka, New Delhi,at an estimated cost of Rs.25,703 crores.
- The project will be developed in two phases. Phase-I will be completed by December 2019 while Phase-II will be completed by December 2024.
- The project is being implemented by India International Convention and Exhibition Centre Limited (IICC Ltd.), a 100% Government owed company set up by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
ECB borrowers in manufacturing sector to raise ECB up to USD 50 million with maturity period of 1 year.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased norms for companies in manufacturing sector to raise overseas funds.
- As per the new guidelines, ECB borrowers who are into manufacturing sector to raise ECB up to USD 50 million or its equivalent with minimum average maturity period of 1 year. Earlier it was for 3 years.
BSE, NSE Get SEBI Nod to Launch Commodity Derivatives Trade
- India’s leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE have received the securities market regulator SEBI’s approval to offer platforms for commodity derivatives trade from October 1, 2018.
- The exchanges would begin trading in commodity derivatives with non-agriculture commodities like metals initially followed by agriculture commodities
Bengaluru Tops Asian Cities for Technology Enterprises Location
- Based on the report by Colliers International, Bengaluru is the best location in Asia for technology companies to operate.
- According to the report, Bengaluru is set to become the fastest-growing city in Asia over the next five to ten years.
- It is followed by Singapore and Shenzhen (China) in terms of starting and expanding technology operations in Asia.
- The other Indian cities which figure among the top 10 are Hyderabad (7) and Mumbai (10). Delhi-NCR, on the other hand figured at the 11th position.
Satyarup Siddhanta, Mousumi Khatua Creates Record to Scale Asia’s Highest Volcanic Peak Mount Damavand in Iran
- Mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta and Mousumi Khatua created history by climbing Asia’s highest volcanic peak Mount Damavand in Iran.
- At the elevation of 5,609 metres, Mount Damavand is potentially active volcano.
- The expedition team comprised of three members, Siddhanta, Mousumi and Bhaswati Chatterjee. Bhaswati decided to stay back after advancing till 4,600 metres.
Govt appoints MDs, CEOs in ten nationalised banks
- The central government has appointed chief executives of 10 public sector banks (PSBs). The list is given below:
| S.No | Bank | MD/CEO |
| 1 | Syndicate Bank | Mrutyunjay Mahapatra |
| 2 | Indian Bank | Padmaja Chundru |
| 3 | Central Bank of India | Pallav Mohapatra |
| 4 | Andhra Bank | J Packirisamy |
| 5 | Dena Bank | Karnam Shekhar |
| 6 | Allahabad Bank | S S Mallikarjuna Rao |
| 7 | Bank of Maharashtra | A S Rajeev |
| 8 | UCO Bank | Atul Kumar Goel |
| 9 | Punjab & Sind Bank | S Harisnakar |
| 10 | United Bank of India | Ashok Kumar Pradhan |
BARC Director K N Vyas Appointed Atomic Energy Commission Chief
- The Centre has appointed Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas as the new Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy, and Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission till May 3, 2021.
- At present Vyas is the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
- The noted nuclear scientist succeeds Shekar Basu, who retires on September 19 after serving three years, including two extensions of a year each.
Revathy Iyer and Sachin Chaturvedi nominated as Director on Central Board of RBI
- Revathy Iyer and Sachin Chaturvedi have been nominated as Director on Central Board of RBI. With this the total members of Central Board of RBI stands at 19. The board is appointed by the government.
- Extra: 4 people have been appointed on Local Board of RBI. In Southern Local Board: Rakesh Jain and Sachin Chaturvedi. In Northern Local Board: Revathy Iyer and Raghvendra Narayan Dubey
Dr. Raghupati Singhania Conferred with Civilian Honour of Mexico
- Dr. Raghupati Singhania, the Chairman and MD of JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has been conferred with ‘Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle’, the highest honour accorded to non-nationals by the Government of Mexico.
- The award was presented to Dr. Singhania on the eve of 128th National Day of Mexico in recognition of his noteworthy services towards humanity and his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Mexico.
Hangzhou to host 2022 Asian Para Games
- The 4th edition of the Asian Para Games will be held at Hangzhou in China in 2022.
- This was confirmed by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) following a visit to Hangzhou in July by APC President Majid Rashed and CEO Tarek Souei.
Lewis Hamilton Wins Singapore Grand Prix
- Lewis Hamilton won the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Marina Bay, Singapore.
- He was followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at second spot and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at third.