Daily Current affairs - November 24th, 2017 for all competitive exams
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a mobile application called UMANG that will enable people to access more than 150 central and state services.
- The app was unveiled before Modi inaugurated the fifth edition of a global conference on cyberspace in the national capital.
- The app has been developed by the ministry of electronics and information technology and the National e-Governance Division.
- Services like the location of exam centres and results of CBSE, class-wise and subject-wise content of NCERT among others will be available to users of UMANG app.
- Umang is an initiative to promote Digital India program. The term — Umang stands for Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance and is envisaged to make e-governance.
- The key goal of launching this application is to allow the citizens of India do everything online, at just a click – be it making a passport, Aadhaar or Pan, book a gas cylinder, know about your Provident fund account or resolving an Aadhaar related. Umang app basically provides a unified approach where you can install one application to avail multiple government services — almost over 100 of them.
Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017
The government has promulgated the Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 to exempt bamboo grown in non-forest areas from definition of tree, thereby dispensing with the requirement of felling/transit permit for its economic use.
However, bamboo grown in the forest areas shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Indian Forest Act, 1927.
- A major objective of the amendment is to promote cultivation of bamboo in non-forest areas to achieve twin objectives of increasing the income of farmers and also increasing the green cover of the country.
- The amendment and the resultant change in classification of bamboo grown in non-forest areas will usher in much needed and far-reaching reforms in the bamboo sector.
- As per the assessment of United Nation’s Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the bamboo business in the North-East Region alone has a potential of about Rs. 5000 crores in the next ten years.
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
Following the impasse over the Bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in the last session of Parliament, the Union government is set to reintroduce the Bill in the Lok Sabha in the forthcoming Winter Session.
- The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017 to bring NCBC, set up in 1993, on a par with National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commisson for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), was passed by the Lok Sabha. But, in Rajya Sabha, a crucial amendment to Clause III was moved. The amendment expanded the three-member commission to five so as to give representation to a woman and a person from minority community and mandated that all five members should necessarily be from Other Backward Classes (OBC). Another amendment sought to protect the federal structure by giving states a significant role in making recommendations to the list.
- The Constitution Amendment Bill is for Constitution of a Commission under Article 338B for socially and educationally backward classes by name of National Commission for Backward Classes.
- Insertion of Clause (26C) under Article 366 with modified definition viz. “socially and educationally backward classes” means such backward classes as are so deemed under Article 342A for the purpose, this Constitution.
National Commission for Backward Classes is under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment established on 14 August 1993. It was constituted pursuant to the provisions of the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
The commission was the outcome of Indra Sawhney & Ors. Vs. Union of India.
Chair person- Justice Vangala Eshwaraiah
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Comprehensive ‘Safe city’ plan for women in Metropalitan cities
The Central government recently began a process of formulating a comprehensive safe city plans for women in eight metropolitan cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
- The process was started in the Steering Committee meeting constituted by the Home Ministry under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary and attended by Municipal Commissioners, Police Commissioners, senior state government officials and civil society representatives.
- Various initiatives have been taken by these cities for women’s safety. These initiatives include Himmat App, All Women Patrol Van, Shishtachar programme of Delhi Police, SHE teams, Hawkeye Mobile App and Bharosa programme of Hyderabad police, Suraksha App of Bengaluru police and
- Power Angels of Uttar Pradesh Police.
- Independent analysis and feedback system should be institutionalised to assess the perception of women on ground regarding their safety issues and emphasised on “targeted intervention” by police and civil administration for larger impact on women’s safety.
President signs bankruptcy ordinance
President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the ordinance approved by the Union Cabinet to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to strengthen the regime.
- The ordinance aims at putting in place safeguards by prohibiting wilful defaulters, those associated with non-performing assets (NPAs), and the habitually non-compliant, from regaining control of the defaulting company or stressed assets through the back door in the garb of being a ‘resolution applicant’.
- According to the statement, a new section has been introduced in the IBC that makes certain persons ineligible to be a ‘resolution applicant’. Those being made ineligible include “wilful defaulters, those who have their accounts classified as NPAs for one year or more and are unable to settle their overdue amounts including interest thereon.”
- The ineligible persons also include those who have executed an enforceable guarantee in favour of a creditor, in respect of a corporate debtor undergoing a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process or liquidation process under the IBC.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
The Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional Section 45 (1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, which imposed stringent conditions on the grant of bail. The court also ordered fresh trial in all cases in which bail was denied because of these conditions. The court said the section to be unconstitutional as it violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
- Section 45(1) imposed two conditions for grant of bail in offences punishable with a jail term of more than three years under Part A of the Schedule to the Act. It requires that the public prosecutor must be given an opportunity to oppose any application for release on bail and in cases where the public prosecutor opposes the bail plea, the court must be satisfied that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the accused was not guilty and was unlikely to commit an offence if granted bail.
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to prevent money-laundering and to provide for confiscation of property derived from money-laundering.
- The Act and Rules notified impose obligation on banking companies, financial institutions and intermediaries to verify identity of clients, maintain records and furnish information.
More seats for Sikkim Assembly
The Home Ministry has proposed an increase in the number of seats in the Sikkim Assembly from 32 to 40. The expansion will be the first since the State merged with India in 1975.
- The seats are being increased to accommodate people from the Limboo and Tamang communities, notified as the Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim in January 2003. Of the eight seats proposed to be increased, five will be reserved for Limboo and Tamangs. Now, Sikkim has 12 seats reserved for Bhutias and Lepchas, two for the Scheduled Castes, one seat for the Sanghas and 17 general seats. As per constitutional provisions, the total number of seats for STs should be in proportion to the population.
- A petition was moved in the Supreme Court that Limboo and Tamangs were not adequately represented in the Assembly and the apex court on January 4, 2016 directed the Home Ministry to take necessary action.
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As per the Delimitation Act, 2002, the number of seats in an Assembly of any State can only be readjusted on the basis of the first census conducted after 2026
The most recent delimitation commission was set up on 12 July 2002 after the 2001 census with Justice Kuldip Singh, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court as its Chairperson. The Commission has submitted its recommendations. On December 2007, the Supreme Court on a petition issued notice to the central government asking reasons for non implementation. On 4 January 2008, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) decided to implement the order from the Delimitation Commission.
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Assam team to visit disputed border area
An Assam government delegation would visit the disputed border with Nagaland on Friday following reports that the neighbouring State has set up a sub-division inside Golaghat district of Assam.
- The delegation would be headed by Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, an MLA of Bokakhat constituency in Golaghat district.
- Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has constituted a six-member delegation under the leadership of Agriculture Minister Atul Bora to visit Assam-Nagaland border to take stock of the latest situation there
Saudi may issue tourist visas in 2018
Saudi Arabia aims to start issuing tourist visas to foreigners next year, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Natural Heritage told CNN, as the government seeks to open up the conservative kingdom and find new sources of revenue to diversify its economy.
- At present, foreigners travelling to Saudi Arabia are largely restricted to resident workers and their dependants, business travellers, and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to travel to holy sites.
Policy forum launched by U.K. Indians
A new forum has been launched in London to ensure the voice of Indian professionals based in the U.K. is heard as the British government takes important decisions for a Brexit-bound country.
- The Indian Professionals Forum, a non-profit think tank for Indian diaspora related policy advocacy, is aimed as a collective voice to strengthen the participation of Indian-origin professionals in the mainstream and help identify opportunities to contribute towards the development of India-U.K. ties.
Latin America is world’s most violent region for women
The United Nations said that Latin America and the Caribbean is the most violent region in the world for women.
- In a report presented in Panama, UN Women and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) found assaults on women persisted in the region despite severe laws aimed at curbing the phenomenon.
- The report added one-third of women worldwide have been a victim of violence in their relationship or of sexual violence by people outside their relationship.
China and Djibouti agree to establish a strategic partnership
Djibouti, where China has opened its first overseas military base agreed to establish a strategic partnership to strengthen all-round cooperation with Beijing.
- The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.
- Guelleh is the first head of state of an African country to visit the country since the ruling Communist Party of China’s (CPC’s) Congress in October won a second five-year term for President Xi.
Myanmar and Bangladesh ink deal on the return of refugees
Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement over terms for the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled to Bangladesh.
- The signing took place after a meeting between Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in Naypyitaw.
- Myint Kyaing said the memorandum of understanding was based on the 1992-1993 repatriation agreement between the two countries.
India may lead Commonwealth meeting in April
The UK has formally asked India whether it would like to take a lead role in the 52-nation Commonwealth grouping.
- The proposal comes ahead of next April’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM) in London.
- An Indian official said the country saw the proposal as an acknowledgement of its importance in terms of size, economic relevance, and population.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is a biennial summit meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state and is chaired by that nation's respective Prime Minister or President who becomes the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office until the next meeting.
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Sushma Swaraj to attend SCO summit in Russia
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will be representing India in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Russia’s Sochi on November 30 and December 1.
- MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said she will also attend the reception hosted by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
- India joined as the full-fledged member of the SCO in June this year.
- Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 17th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit held in Kazakhstan capital Astana.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organisation, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Charter was signed in June 2002 and entered into force on 19 September 2003. These countries, except for Uzbekistan, had been members of the Shanghai Five group, founded on 26 April 1996 in Shanghai.
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Earth’s neutrino absorption rate measured for the first time
In a first, scientists at the IceCube collaboration have measured the rate at which Earth absorbs high-energy neutral subatomic particles called neutrinos.
- IceCube, the world’s largest neutrino detector, has 5,160 optical sensors encased within a cubic kilometre of Antarctic ice near the South Pole.
- The detection, made by observing neutrinos’ interaction with ice, would help study Earth’s core.
RBI relaxes 26% cap for ARCs
In a major boost to asset reconstruction companies (ARCs), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed norms capping their shareholdings at 26% in the borrower firm under reconstruction, provided their net-owned funds are maintained at Rs. 100 crore.
- In a notification on Thursday, the RBI said: “ARCs with net-owned fund of Rs. 100 crore on an ongoing basis are exempted from the shareholding cap at 26% of post-converted equity of the borrower company.”
- But the regulator did not specicfy the new sharing limit post-debt conversion.
An Asset Reconstruction Company is a specialized financial institution that buys the NPAs or bad assets from banks and financial institutions so that the latter can clean up their balance sheets. Or in other words, ARCs are in the business of buying bad loans from banks.
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HDFC Bank to develop 1,000 villages under CSR by Financial Year 2019
HDFC Bank aims to transform lives in 1,000 villages by March 2019 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- Under the Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP), the bank has already empowered 750 deprived villages across the country in the last two-and-half years.
- The latest village in this chain is Umpathaw in the state. “The bank has a board mandate to cover 1,000 such villages by March 2019. This initiative has so far impacted the lives of over 10 lakh people in 16 states across the country.
- HRDP seeks to better life in villages by focussing on improvements in five areas like education, water and sanitation and financial inclusion.
HDFC
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Bank Headquarters
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Mumbai
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Bank Tagline
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We understand your world
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Bank CEO
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Aditya Puri
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MHA to conduct Multi-State Mega Mock Tsunami Exercise 2017
The Ministry of Home Affairs will conduct a multi-State mega mock exercise on tsunami preparedness.
- The Ministry with the help of the National Disaster Management Authority, NDMA and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services conduct the exercise simultaneously in 31 coastal districts across four States – West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu – and Union Territory Puducherry along with the entire East Coast.
- The participants from 11 Pacific Island countries will observe the entire exercise to take away key lessons and best practices to be adopted while preparing for and responding to a disaster situation.
- The exercise is one of the various activities planned on the occasion of the 2nd World Tsunami Awareness Day held on November 5 this year
IIT-Madras placed 264th in world ranking
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2018 has placed the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras at the 264th rank among world universities.
- Known for its electrical engineering programme, it is placed among the 51-100 rank band for the subject and 18th in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) ranking.
- Anna University is placed 85th among BRICS countries. Reputed for its chemical engineering programme, the university is ranked in the 201-250 band among the BRICS countries.
- Among world universities, it is placed in the 651 to 700 rank band for citation per faculty of research papers.
- The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is ranked 105th and the Madras University is placed in the 171-180 band among BRICS countries.
- The ranking organisation has placed the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru at the 190th rank among world institutions.
QS World University Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Previously known as Times Higher Education–QS World University Rankings, the publisher had collaborated with Times Higher Education magazine (THE) to publish its international league tables from 2004 to 2009 before both started to announce their own versions.
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French president Emmanuel Macron to visit India early next year
The country’s envoy Alexandre Ziengler said French President Emmanuel Macron, who was scheduled to visit India next month, will now be coming early next year.
- Macron was scheduled to visit India next month to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) summit, but that has been now deferred.
- The French ambassador was speaking on the sidelines of a digital exhibition showcasing various facets of the Indo-French relations.
Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as President of Zimbabwe
Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as Zimbabwe’s President, becoming the country’s second leader since independence.
- The former Zimbabwean Vice President will serve as interim President until a new leader is elected in the polls next year.
- His appointment comes after former President Robert Mugabe resigned from the post earlier this week amidst the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
Scientists make world’s smallest tape recorder from bacteria
Columbia University researchers have converted a bacterial immune system into the world’s smallest data recorder.
- Using CRISPR gene-editing method, the team modified the human gut microbe E. coli, enabling the bacteria to record their interactions with the environment and also time-stamp the events.
- It could be used for disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring, said researchers.
Jazz singer and lyricist Jon Hendricks dies
Pioneering jazz singer and lyricist Jon Hendricks died in United States.
- Hendricks found fame in the 1950s and ’60s teaming with Dave Lambert and Annie Ross.
- The Jazz singer wrote the lyrics to existing Basie songs, and the three recorded their own voices in layers instead of using backup singers.
India static at 105th in FIFA rankings
The Indian football team remained static at 105th in the latest FIFA rankings on Thursday.
- Among the Asian Football Confederation countries, the Indian team occupies 15th, ahead of the likes of Jordan, North Korea and Bahrain.
- Iran led the Asian rankings while world champions Germany are on top of world rankings.
