CURRENT GK
1.Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space between India and Armenia :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised about an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space between India and Armenia.
The MoU has already been signed in April, 2017.
This MoU shall enable the areas of cooperation such as, space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite based navigation; space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.
2.India’s population to surpass that of China’s around 2024: UN :-
India’s population could surpass that of China’s around 2024, two years later than previously estimated, and is projected to touch 1.5 billion in 2030, according to a UN forecast.
The 2017 Revision, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said that currently China with 1.41 billion inhabitants and India with 1.34 billion remain the two most populous countries, comprising 19 and 18 percent of the total global population.
In roughly seven years, or around 2024, the population of India is expected to surpass that of China, the report said.
3.Ministry of Textiles organizes training workshop on GST :-
The Ministry of Textiles organized a full-day training workshop on GST in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today, in which about 175 officials of the Ministry, its PSUs and members of Export Promotion Councils participated. The workshop was held in partnership with National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
The Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani was in the Chair.
Revenue Secretary, Shri Hasmukh Adhia; Secretary, Textiles, Shri Anant Kumar Singh; Convenor, Law Committee on GST, Revenue Department, Shri P.K Mohanty; DG, NACEN, Shri P. K. Dash; Financial Adviser, Ministry of Textiles, Shri J&K Dadoo were also present.
4.India flags U.S. military aid to Pakistan :-
Setting the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump later this week, India on Thursday raised the issue of continued American military assistance to Pakistan and sought an end to cross-border terrorism.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Official Spokesperson Gopal Baglay pointed out that Pakistan diverts U.S. military aid to target India, even as India’s Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told the U.N. Security Council to deal with the “adversary” that provides “safe haven” to terrorists who target Afghanistan.
5.Indore India’s first city to use robot to control unruly traffic :-
The number one clean city of India, Indore has got another milestone to its name. This commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh has reportedly become the first city in India where robot is being used on an experimental basis to control its ever growing and unruly traffic.
The traffic police in association with a private engineering college of the city for the first time has installed a metallic robot at a busy MR 9 intersection on an experimental basis to control the chaotic traffic in the locality.
6.Cabinet approves Amendment of the Social Security Agreement between India and the Netherlands :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved Amendment of the bilateral Social Security Agreement (SSA) between India and the Netherlands by incorporating the “Country of Residence” Principle into the said SSA.
The amended SSA between India and the Netherlands, when operational from the third month from the date of notifying the said Amendment to the Netherlands by India, will strengthen the ties between the two countries, and continue to favourably impact the profitability and competitive position of Indian and Dutch companies with foreign operations in either country by reducing their cost of doing business abroad.
The SSA will also help promote more investment flows between the two countries.
7.Tatas offer 51% in Mundra for ₹1 :-
After selling its Scunthorpe steel unit in U.K. for one pound last year, the Tata Group’s power unit, Tata Power, has now offered to sell a majority 51% stake in its debt-laden 4,000 megawatt (MW) Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) for just ₹1.
Mundra UMPP, operated by Tata Power subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL), has run up accumulated losses of ₹6,457 crore against a paid-up equity of ₹6,083 crore.
- Free education for girls in Punjab from Nursery to PhD :-
The Punjab Government has announced free education for girls in government schools and colleges from Nursery to PhD.
Fulfilling another poll promise, he announced free Wi-FI for 13,000 primary schools and all 48 government colleges.
Reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies has already been increased by the government from 33 per cent to 50 per cent.
9.Cabinet approves MoU between India and the Netherlands for bilateral Cooperation in the field of water resources management :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for bilateral cooperation in the field of water resources management.
The MoU envisages that both the Governments shall work to enhance cooperation at the National, regional and international levels in the field of Water Resources Management and Development by collaborating and sharing experience and expertise in the areas mutually agreed upon, including techniques in the efficient use of water resources, river basin management, decision support systems, delta management, water quality issues and waste water recycling and re-use through innovative concession arrangements.
- Rajiv Gauba to be next Union Home Secretary :-
Rajiv Gauba, currently Union Urban Development Secretary, will be the next Home Secretary, an official statement said.
The 1982-cadre IAS officer will succeed Rajiv Mehrishi, whose tenure ends on August 30.
Gauba, who was originally of the Bihar cadre but transferred to Jharkhand after the state’s division, is also posted on special duty in the Home Ministry.
11.Cabinet approves Constitution of Indian Naval Material Management Service (INMMS) as an Organized Group ‘A’ Engineering Service :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved constitution of an organized Group ‘A’ Engineering Service, namely Indian Naval Material Management Service (INMMS) and consequent changes in cadre structure of existing Group ‘A’ cadre of Naval Store Officers of the Indian Navy.
Constitution of an Organized Group ‘A’ Service would attract the best talents available and bring in technically qualified Material Managers. It will improve the functional efficiency of Material Management of Naval Stores and ensure operational readiness of the Navy at all times.
12.Kohli will come under intense scrutiny :-
Just as India and host West Indies gear up for a five-match ODI series, commencing at Trinidad’s Port of Spain on Friday, Virat Kohli steps in with the turbulence of having played a hand in the exit of head coach Anil Kumble. It is not an ideal situation for a young captain, but Kohli’s predicament is self-imposed.
The present backdrop is different to the ones that tailed him in his earlier visits to the Caribbean, where the focus was on Kohli, the Test debutant in 2011, and Kohli, the skipper and established batsman in 2016.
13.Uttarakhand and Haryana declared 4th and 5th ODF States in the country :-
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G), rural Uttarakhand and rural Haryana have declared themselves as the 4th and 5th Open Defecation Free (ODF) States of India.
The two today joined the league of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, which were the first three states to be declared ODF.
Nationally, the sanitation coverage has increased from 42% to over 64% in just two and a half years since the launch of SBM.
14.Dr Jitendra Singh launches Online Software for Departmental Proceedings :-
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the online Software for Departmental Proceedings, here today.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh complemented the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), CVC and other departments for their collective efforts in this direction.
He said that the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been working on the principles of ‘maximum governance, minimum government’, transparency with accountability & citizen centricity and zero tolerance against corruption.
