Latest Current Affairs – May 29 & 30 2018
1. Ramdev’s Patanjali launches new messaging app ‘Kimbho’
Yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali has launched a new messaging application called ‘Kimbho’, claiming that it will give “competition” to WhatsApp. This comes after Ramdev launched ‘Swadeshi Samriddhi’ SIM cards in partnership with state-owned telecom operator BSNL.
2. Upgraded indigenous Pinaka rocket test-fired successfully
An upgraded version of the indigenous Pinaka rocket was successfully test-fired from Proof & Experimental Establishment in Odisha’s Chandipur. While two rounds of tests have been conducted, a few more rounds have been planned. While the earlier version of the rocket was unguided, the new rocket includes a guidance, navigation, and control kit.
3. Moody’s cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 7.3% for 2018
Global credit rating agency Moody’s has cut India’s GDP growth estimate to 7.3% for the calendar year 2018, down from its previous forecast of 7.5%. The agency said that higher oil prices were likely to weigh-in on the country’s economic recovery pace. However, the rating agency retained the GDP growth forecast for 2019 at 7.5%.
4. Kerala becomes first state to cut tax on fuel, price down Rs 1/L
The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to cut the excise duty on fuel to effect a Rs 1 per litre reduction in petrol and diesel prices, starting June 1. Kerala has become the first state to slash taxes on fuel after the recent price rally. This is expected to cause a revenue loss of ?500 crore annually to the state government.
5. US warns India against purchasing missile system from Russia
Warning that procurement of Russian advanced missile systems may affect cooperation between the US and India, the US House Committee on Armed Services has told India not to rush and carefully consider all potential consequences. This comes after India said it will acquire the S-400 defence system despite the sanctions imposed by the US on defence trade with Russia.
6. UAE bans fruit imports from Kerala over Nipah virus outbreak
The UAE has banned the import of fresh fruits and vegetables from Kerala following the outbreak of the Nipah virus. The UAE’s Ministry of Environment said the decision was based on the information provided by the World Health Organisation. The virus has claimed at least 12 lives in the state.
7. NIC launches 1st data centre in eastern India in Bhubaneswar
Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has inaugurated the National Informatics Centre’s (NIC) first data centre in eastern India in Bhubaneswar. Set up at a cost of ?200 crore, the Bhubaneswar national data centre is NIC’s fourth in India after Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune. The NIC provides technology support for all governance services and hosts almost 10,000 government websites.
8. Rafale fighter jet maker Serge Dassault dies at 93 in Paris
French billionaire industrialist Serge Dassault, Chairman of aerospace giant Dassault Group, died in his Paris office at the age of 93. His father Marcel founded the family’s main company, Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale fighter jet and the Falcon corporate jet. Dassault was the fourth richest person in France with a net worth of $26 billion, according to Forbes.
9. Paraguay Got Its First Woman Interim President
Paraguay gets a first interim woman President Alicia Pucheta for the first time in its history after outgoing leader Horacio Cartes stepped down ahead of schedule. Vice President Alicia Pucheta will complete Carter’s mandate after he resigned to become a senator.
Paraguay has just eight women among its 45 senators, and 11 among the 80 members of the lower house. Paraguay remains 135th out of 180 countries on the 2017 corruption index of Transparency International.
10. Gujarat Government Launches Reuse Of Treated Waste Water Policy
The Gujarat government unveiled its ‘Reuse of Treated Waste Water Policy’ which aims to reduce the state’s dependence on freshwater sources like the Narmada river.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel launched the policy at a function held in Gandhinagar.
The policy will promote the use of treated wastewater and will see the setting up of sewage treatment plants (STP) in all major towns and cities of Gujarat.
11. Ministry Of Women And Child Development Signs MoU With Uttar Pradesh
The Ministry of Women and Child and Development, Government of India signed a MoU with Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in New Delhi for management of Home of Widows at Sunrakh Bangar, Vrindavan.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has constructed this shelter home for widows with a capacity of 1000 inmates. The MoU shall be in force for a period of 2 years which may be renewed for further period on the satisfactory running of the Home.
12. R K Agrawal appointed as President of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed former Supreme court Judge R K Agarwal as National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ( NCDRC) from February 2014 to May 2018
He will succeed Justice D K Jain, who completed his term. Justice Agrawal was the judge of Supreme Court from February 2014 to May 2018. It was established in 1988 and it is headquartered in New Delhi.
The commission is headed by sitting or retired judge of Supreme court of India.
13. Gaj Yatra launched in Garo Hills of Meghalaya
Gaj Yatra Gaj Yatra is an 18-month-long national campaign aimed to protect elephants, India’s national heritage animal in 12 elephant range states.
It was organized by the Wildlife Trust of India in collaboration with the State Forest Department.
Under this campaign, an elephant mascot will be there. It was launched to the acknowledged good gesture of villagers from Garo Hills who had set aside part of their community-owned land to create village researchers.
14. Akshay Kumar Launches Twin Pit Toilet Technology Campaign
Film actor Akshay Kumar launched the twin pit toilet technology campaign in New Delhi. The actor appealed everybody to spread the awareness on the issue and make the cleanliness drive more effective.
The twin pit toilet technology is an Indian invention that collects defecation for a period of five years and then it turns into a valuable organic compost.
16. Senior diplomat Pankaj Saran as Deputy National Security Advisor
The government has appointed senior diplomat Pankaj Saran as the deputy national security advisor. The tenure would be for two years. Mr Saran is currently serving as India’s ambassador to Russia.
He has also worked as a joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. between 2007 and 2012. Former chief of the Intelligence Bureau, Ajit Doval is presently the national security advisor.
17. WHO adopts resolution on Digital Health proposed by India
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda announced that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has adopted the resolution on Digital Health, brought out by India, during the 71st World Health Assembly.
The 71st World Health Assembly was held in Geneva and was attended by delegations from all WHO member states.
The resolution recognises that Digital health technology has a huge potential for supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improving accessibility, quality and affordability of health services.
The resolution urges Member States to prioritise the development and greater use of digital technologies in health as a means of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
18. TRAI proposes use of blockchain technology to curb spam calls, texts
In a first of its kind initiative, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI has issued draft guidelines to curb pesky calls and SMSes by using blockchain technology.
The regulator said that it will work together with telecom operators and other stakeholders to firm up a regulatory framework to address unsolicited commercial communication.
19. PRAAPTI App and Web portal launched to bring transparency in electricity payments to Generators
The Ministry of Power has launched a web portal and an app called PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification and Analysis in Power procurement for bringing Transparency in Invoicing of generators) in an effort to bring in greater transparency in power purchase transactions between generators and distribution companies (DISCOMs).
The app is currently available for download on Android devices only. The main purpose of this initiative is to herald a new era of transparency in financial transaction in the power sector.
20. India, World Bank ink $21.7 million loan agreement for Rajasthan’s Public Financial Management Project
An Agreement for International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Credit of USD 21.7 Million from World Bank for the Strengthening of Public Financial Management in Rajasthan Project has been signed.
- The Project size is approximately USD 31 million, of which USD 21.7 million will be financed by the World Bank, and the remaining amount will be funded-out of the State Budget. The Project duration is 5 years.
- The Project objective is to contribute to improved Budget execution, enhanced accountability and greater efficiency in Revenue Administration in Rajasthan.
- The Project involves Strengthening of the Public Financial Management Framework; Strengthening of Expenditure and Revenue Systems; and Project Management and Capacity Building among others.
21. Indonesia, India Upgrade Ties With 15 Agreements
Indonesia and India agreed to upgrade bilateral relations by signing more than a dozen agreements on a broad range of areas. The 15 agreements include cooperation in defense, exploration and use of outer space, science and technology, capacity building of public officials, dialogue and interaction between governments and think tanks as well as in health and railways. Indonesia was the first leg of Modi’s three-nation visit that will also take him to Malaysia and Singapore.
