Daily Current affairs - October 25th, 2017 for all competitive exams
Website for the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) was launched by Commerce Ministry.
- CIPAM is set up under the aegis of DIPP with a mandate to effectively implement the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy.
- The website is interactive providing regular updates on all upcoming events including awareness and sensitization programs being conducted, as also information on all Intellectual Property Rights
SAATHI: EESL to provide powerloom equipment to small units
The Ministry of Power along with the Ministry of Textiles have launched its new initiative named Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to help small Industries.
- Under the initiative, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under the administrative control of Ministry of Power, would procure energy efficient powerlooms, motors and repair kits in bulk and provide them to the small and medium powerloom units at no upfront cost.
- The SAATHI initiative of the Government will be jointly implemented by EESL and the office of the Textile Commissioner on a pan-India basis.
No change in Aadhaar mandate
Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and the Chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), J. Satyanarayana, informed a parliamentary panel headed by Congress leader P. Chidambaram that there will be no change in mandate of Aadhaar till the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court adjudicates on the matter.
- In an unusually long meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, many pointed questions were put to Mr. Gauba and Mr. Satyanaryana on the relevance of Aadhaar in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment on privacy.
- The government representatives argued that Aadhaar remains outside the purview of the August 24 judgment and it is valid since a separate Constitution Bench is yet to adjudicate on the issue.
- The case is expected to come up for hearing in November.
SC bans dirty pet-coke, furnace oil in Haryana, Rajasthan, UP
Supreme Court banned the use of dirty furnace oil and pet-coke in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from November 1, 2017.
- This ban is already in place in Delhi. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) lauds this directive as a big win for Delhi and NCR as well as the rest of the country fighting a tough battle against toxic pollution.
- The order comes in response to the recommendations of the Environment Protection (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) that has found very high sulphur levels more than 20,000 PPM to 74,000 PPM as opposed to only 50 PPM sulphur in BSIV(Bharat Stage-IV) transport fuels
Rajasthan refers Bill to House panel
Under fire from various quarters, the Rajasthan government referred a controversial Bill, which seeks to protect public servants and judges from prosecution without its prior sanction, to a select committee of the Assembly.
- The Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Assembly by Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria replace an ordinance promulgated on September 7.
IAF show scorches Lucknow-Agra highway
A major touchdown exercise of the Indian Air Force was held on the Agra Lucknow expressway at Bangarmau in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh today. As many as 20 fighter aircraft took part in the special exercise.
- The drill witnessed the participation of a C-130J transport aircraft with Garud commandos for assault landing as well as three Jaguars, six Mirages, six SU 30s in touch down and take off operations.
- This is the second time that a touchdown exercise was held at Agra Lucknow expressway.
INS Sukanya at Indonesia for Coordinated Patrol of IMBL
INS Sukanya arrived at Belawan Indonesia to participate in the 30th edition of CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) and 3rd bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy.
- The exercise is aimed to foster closer maritime ties with countries located on the rim of the Indian Ocean.
- CORPAT is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Indonesia. Both countries have been carrying out maritime exercise twice a year since 2002.
India and Asian Development Bank Sign $300 Million Loan
The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India signed a $300 million loan to continue a series of fiscal reforms in the State of West Bengal to improve the quality of public service delivery.
- The Program aims to further deepen the reforms with focus on expenditure rationalization, improvement in revenue administration, and facilitation of more private investment in the state.
Singapore caps car numbers
Singapore, one of the most expensive places in the world to buy a vehicle, will freeze the number of private cars on its roads for at least two years.
- The measure, to be reviewed in 2020, is an extension of Singapore’s already tough controls on vehicle ownership, which have helped the nation of 5.6 million avoid the traffic jams that choke other Asian cities.
Xi Jinping named in the Constitution
CPC General Secretary, Xi Jinping becomes the third Chinese leader to have his name and ideology enshrined in the Constitution besides two other former Presidents — Jiang Zemin Hu Jintao.
- “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and The “Belt and Road” initiative, an ambitious programme to build infrastructure linking China with its neighbours and beyond, was also included in the party Constitution.
World’s oldest astrolabe that guided ships to India found
A navigation tool found that guided Portuguese explorers on a perilous voyage to India in the 16th century has been confirmed as the world’s oldest astrolabe.
- David Mearns found the bronze disc during a dive on a shipwreck off the coast of Oman in 2014 but said Warwick University had only recently confirmed what it was after laser scans revealed etches on it.
Rs. 2.11 lakh crore for PSU banks to boost lending
The Centre unveiled an ambitious plan to infuse Rs. 2.11 lakh crore capital over the next two years into public sector banks (PSBs).
- PSBs are burdened with high, non-performing assets(Asset Quality Review , RBI), Twin-Balance Sheet Problem, Private investment is cut down
RBI slaps fines on YES, IDFC banks
The Reserve Bank of India has slapped Rs. 6 crore penalty on private sector lender YES Bank and Rs. 2 crore on IDFC Bank for violation of certain norms.
- The penalty on YES Bank was on account of its non-compliance with the directions issued by the RBI on Income Recognition Asset Classification (IRAC) norms and delayed reporting of the information security incident involving ATMs of the bank.
- Another private sector lender, IDFC Bank, which started operations only in October 2015, was found guilty of contravening regulatory restrictions pertaining to loans and advances.
Singapore Passport Named 'Most Powerful', India Ranks 75
Singapore's passport has become the most powerful in the world with a Visa-Free Score of 159, according to the Passport Index developed by advisory firm Arton Capital.
- This is the first time an Asian country has been announced as having the most powerful passport.
- India secured the 75th rank in the index with a Visa-Free Score of 51.
Scott Fleming Joins NBA India as Head of Basketball Operations
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that former India men’s national team head coach Scott Fleming has joined NBA India as Head of Basketball Operations.
- Scott Fleming will oversee the league’s youth and elite basketball development in India, including the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program, NBA Academy India and NBA Basketball School.
Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu Strike Gold in ISSF World Cup
Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu combined to give India their first gold medal of the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final in New Delhi.
- They clinched the top honors in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on the opening day of competitions. Rai and Sidhu picked up their third gold together in the mixed team event, being held officially for the first time at an ISSF World Cup.
Padma Vibhushan Thumri Singer Girija Devi Passes Away
Eminent classical singer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Girija Devi died in Kolkata. She was 88 years old.
- She was considered as the "Queen of Thumri" and fondly called Appa Ji. She was from the "Benaras Gharana".
