Daily Current affairs - March 12, 2018 for all competitive exams
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting French
President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated 101-megawatt solar power plant at
Dadar Kala village in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
- The
largest solar projects in the country have been set up by French company
ENGIE.
- The
company was awarded the project in 2016 with the cost of Rs. 680 crore.
Solar Energy Corporation of India has signed Power purchase agreement for
25 years with the company.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill and Chit Funds
(amendment) Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018 has
been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill will help in laying down measures to
deter economic offenders from evading the process of law by remaining outside
the jurisdiction of Indian courts.
- The
cases where the total value involved in such offenses is Rs. 100 crore or
more, will come under the purview of the Bill. Minister of State for
Finance, Shiv Pratap Shukla introduced the Bill.
- The
Minister also introduced the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill-2018. The
amendment is aimed at facilitating the orderly growth of the chit funds
sector and remove bottlenecks being faced by the industry and enabling
greater financial access of people to other financial products.
India’s first coastal policing academy sactioned for Okha coastal area
The Union home
ministry has sanctioned the launch of the National Academy of Coastal Policing
(NACP) from a campus of Gujarat’s Fisheries Research Centre located in coastal
Okha in the newly created Devbhoomi Dwarka district.
- It
will be the country’s first national academy to train police forces in
effectively safeguarding the Indian shoreline. It will
sharpen the response and skills of the marine forces of multiple states
which have sea lines.
The
first-of-its-kind institution of the country will be created and run by a multi-agency team of
paramilitary and defence forces.
The Union
home ministry’s policing think tank — the Bureau of Police Research and
Development (BPRD) — will pilot the establishment and running of the academy.
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Milk production raised up to 20% in 2014-2017
- According
to Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, Milk
production in the country increased by 20 percent from 137.7 million
tonnes to 165.4 million tonnes between 2014 and 2017
- The
per capita availability of milk has risen by 15.6 percent from 307 gms a
day to 355 gms per day between 2013-14 and 2016-17.
- With
a corpus of Rs 2,450 crore, the government has set up an AHIDF for
financing infrastructure requirement of animal husbandry sector.
Finance
Minister in budget speech announced setting up of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Infrastructure Development Fund (FAIDF) for fisheries sector and an Animal
Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) for financing
infrastructure requirement of animal husbandry sector. Total Corpus of these
two new Funds would be Rs.10,000 crore.
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33rd inception day to National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB)
National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB) celebrated its 33rd Inception Day, on March 11, 2018.
- NCRB
is the Nodal Agency for authentic source of Data on crime, accidents,
suicides, and prisons for policy matters and research.
- It
was set-up in 1986 to function as a repository of information on crime and
criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the
perpetrators.
- It
was set up based on the recommendations of the National Police
Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task force (1985).
It was set
up by merging the Directorate of Coordination and
Police Computer (DCPC), Inter State Criminals Data Branch of CBI, Central
Finger Print Bureau of CBI, and Statistical Branch of BPR&D.
NCRB
publishes 4 annual publications on Crime, Accidental Deaths & Suicides,
Prison Statistics and Finger Prints. These publications serve as principal
reference points on crime statistics not only police officers but also for
criminologists, researchers, media and policy makers not only in India but
abroad well.
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Floating lab set up to monitor Manipur's Loktak
Lake
The Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable
Laboratory (IBSD), Imphal, set up a floating laboratory in northeast India's
largest freshwater lake, Loktak to constantly monitor its water quality and
eventually improve it.
- The
laboratory was inaugurated by Manipur's Forest and Environment Minister,
Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh in Imphal, Manipur.
EIB and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) signed loan
for €150million
European
Investment Bank (EIB) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)
Ltd. have signed a loan agreement for a second line of credit (LoC) of Euro 150
million on non-sovereign basis.
- The
line of credit is for tenure of 15 years including a grace period of 3
years, and it will be used for financing Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency projects in India. More than 1.1 million households are
expected to benefit from clean energy produced with these funds.
- To
give financial support to specific projects and schemes for generating
electricity and / or energy through new and renewable sources and
conserving energy through energy efficiency.
- To
maintain its position as a leading organization to provide efficient and
effective financing in renewable energy and energy efficiency /
conservation projects.
- To
increase IREDA`s share in the renewable energy sector by way of innovative
financing.
Indian
Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is a Mini Ratna (Category – I)
Government of India Enterprise under the administrative control
of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
IREDA is a
Public Limited Government Company established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987 engaged in promoting, developing and extending
financial assistance for setting up projects relating to new and renewable
sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation with the motto: “ENERGY
FOR EVER”.
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India, France Ink 14 Pacts; Major boost to
defence, nuclear energy cooperation
In a major expansion of strategic ties, India and
France have inked 14 pacts in key areas of defense, security, nuclear energy
and protection of classified information besides resolving to deepen
cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and step up joint efforts to contain
terrorism.
- The
agreements were signed after extensive talks between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, including on the
changing security dynamics in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.
Indo-French Knowledge Summit
The first ever
Indo-French Knowledge Summit was held recently at New Delhi. The summit
coincided with the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India.
- The
summit ended with a landmark agreement on mutual recognition of
educational qualifications between the two countries and a record 15 other
MoUs between universities and research institutions on joint initiatives
and partnerships.
A
Franco-Indian Education Trust was also unveiled at the closing session of the
summit. It will be funded
by the Indian industry and French Companies in India to offer educational
scholarships and merit based financial support to Indian students.
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Reciprocal logistics support deal signed between India and
France armed forces
A reciprocal
logistics support deal has been signed between the respective armed forces of
India and France.
- The
deal will facilitate the French and Indian armed forces to receive
logistical support, supplies and services from each other during
authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief efforts.
- The
deal, which is similar to the logistical support pact with the US, is an
indicator of the strategic depth and maturity in defence ties between the
two countries.
Macron announces extra €700m for green energy
French President Emmanuel Macron announced
an additional investment of 700 million euros for global solar energy
generation.
- France
had earlier committed 300 million euros for promoting solar energy around
the world.
- He
also heaped praise on India and other nations for turning
the International Solar Alliance (ISA) into a reality.
China steps up “feel good” diplomacy with India
China stepped up the on-going messaging between
Beijing and New Delhi, highlighting a steady improvement in their post-Doklam
ties.
- In
response to positive remarks by China’s Foreign Minister regarding the
prospects of Beijing-New Delhi ties, Mr. Kumar had said that India was
“willing to work with the Chinese side to develop our relations based on
commonalities while dealing with differences on the basis of mutual
respect and sensitivity to each other's interests, concerns and
aspirations.”
ISRO aims to launch Chandrayaan-2 by April
The ISRO is aiming for an April launch
of the Chandrayaan-2 satellite.
- If the April launch of the Chandrayaan-2, the country’s
second mission to the moon, is not possible, then the ISRO will aim for a
launch by October.
- The Chandrayaan-2 satellite would comprise an orbiter,
lander and six-wheeled rover which would move around the landing site.
- Sivan said scientists were also gearing up for the
launch of communication satellite GSAT-6 on-board GSLV-F08, scheduled
later this month.
Retail inflation at 4-month low of 4.44% on
cheaper food, fuel
Retail inflation fell to a 4-month low of 4.44%
in February on cheaper food articles and lower cost for fuel.
Retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index
(CPI), was at 5.07% in January. In February 2017, however, it was 3.65%.
- Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO)
showed that the rate of price rise in the consumer food segment was lower
at 3.26% in February, as against 4.7% in the previous month.
- Inflation in vegetables was 17.57% last month, down
from 26.97% in January, and for fruits it was 4.80% (as against 6.24%).
- Milk and its products too were less expensive with
inflation print of 4.21%, cereals and products at 2.10%, meat & fish
at 3.31% while for eggs the prices grew at a slower pace of 8.51%.
- Inflation for the fuel and light category was at 6.80%
in February (against 7.73% in January). However, the rate of price
increase was higher for transport and communication services at 2.39%
(1.97% January).
Retail inflation means the increase in prices of certain
products or commodities compared to a base price. In India, retail inflation
is linked to Consumer Price Index(CPI) which is managed by Ministry of
Statistics.
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Multilateral Air Force exercise ‘Samvedna’
The first Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief (HADR) exercise of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in association with South
Asian Region nations will be held off the coast of Kerala from March 12 to 17.
- The multilateral exercise named ‘Samvedna’ would involve
representatives from air forces of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the
UAE
- The exercise is spearheaded by Indian Air Force and
will be conducted by Southern Air Command.
- The exercise, spearheaded by IAF and conducted by
Southern Air Command (SAC), will ensure better understanding and sharing
of response procedures between a number of friendly neighbouring nations.
Hillary arrives on a 3-day visit to MP
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton
arrived on a three-day private visit to Madhya Pradesh.
- She will visit the place where the famous Maheshwari
sarees have been weaved for long.
- The former US Secretary of State is in Maheshwar at the
invitation of Richard Holkar, scion of the erstwhile Holkar kingdom.
India wins best exhibitor award at ITB- berlin
India has won the “Best Exhibitor Award” at ITB –
Berlin on its last day.
- ‘ITB- Berlin World Tourist Meet’ was convened at
Berlin, Germany from 7th March to 10th March 2018.
- India was represented by the Minister of State
(Independent charge) for Tourism Mr. K. J. Alphons along with a couple of
Tourism Ministry officials.
- More than 100 countries participated in the ITB- Berlin
meet with their respective Tourism Ministers. India’s Incredible India
(Ministry of Tourism) presented a short film named “Yogi of the Racetrack”
in the meet.
Amol Palekar receives ‘Godavari Gaurav’ award
Noted actor Amol Palekar has been honoured with
the ‘Godavari Gaurav’ award.
- Palekar known for his performance in films like Gol
Maal, Choti Si Baat, Chitchor among others, was presented with the award,
which has been instituted by ‘Kusumagraj Prathishthan’.
- The award was given by noted Marathi writer Madhu
Mangesh Karnik, who is the chairperson of the Prathishthan.
Iconic French fashion designer Givenchy dies
Iconic fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, known for styling greats such as Audrey Hepburn and credited with creating the 'little black dress', died
Iconic fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, known for styling greats such as Audrey Hepburn and credited with creating the 'little black dress', died
- Credited with the creation of the ‘little black dress’,
Givenchy was known for his restrained style and chic yet conservative cuts
in the 1950s and 1960s.
Akhil Sheoran wins 50m Rifle 3-position gold
Competing in his first shooting World Cup,
Sheoran won the gold medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3-position event.
- Sheoran was the youngest of the three Indian shooters
in the final which featured three-time World Cup medallist Sanjeev Rajput.
- Indian registered two shots of 10.8 and five shots
above 10.3 to emerge as the champion.
