Introduction
Current Affairs is a type of broadcast journalism where the emphasis is on detailed analysis and discussion of news stories that have recently occurred or ongoing at the time of broadcast. The article Current Affairs September 19th 2018 includes News summary on current events of International, National, Banking, Appointments and Books importance of September 19th 2018.
International
PM, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, jointly unveil a railway project
Key Highlights:
- On September 19, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Dhaka-Tongi-Joydebpur Railway Project.
- It will strengthen national and urban transport in Bangladesh
India & Sri Lanka sign MoU for construction of 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse in Dambulla
Key Highlights:
- On 17th September 2018, India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for construction of a 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
- The MoU was signed by: Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Mr. K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary to Sri Lankan ministry of national policies and economic affairs.
- A 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse for fruits and vegetables to reduce its post-harvest losses, will be constructed with an Indian grant assistance of 30 crore Sri Lankan rupees.
- This project is in continuation of Indian Government’s efforts to tie up with Sri Lankan Government in people oriented development projects.
Static GK:
- NASA Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Sri Lanka Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
- Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil
- President: Maithripala Sirisena
- Prime Minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe
National
Union Home Secretary launched ‘e-Sahaj’ portal for grant of Security Clearance
Key Highlights:
- On September 18, 2018, the Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba launched an online ‘e-Sahaj’ portal in New Delhi.
- This will provide an easier, faster and transparent way to monitor applications.
Government & FAO launched agriculture project in 5 states with $33.5 million GEF grant
Key Highlights:
- On September 18, 2018, the government along with UN body FAO launched an agricultural project worth USD 33.5 million on conservation of biodiversity and forest landscapes.
- This project is being funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF).
- The project, to be implemented in five landscape in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
- The project would involve Biodiversity conservation, land degradation, climate change mitigation and sustainable forest management.
Odisha CM launches Star-rating system for industries to reduce air pollution
Key Highlights:
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a ‘Star Rating program’ for industries to support State Pollution Control Board’s (SPCB) regulatory efforts to reduce pollution.
- This program is the first in India to use continuous monitored emissions data obtained in real time from major industrial plants.
- It will rate industries from 1 to 5 based on their compliance to pollution standards set by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
- It has been developed by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago.
Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurates ISRO’s Technology Incubation Centre in Agartala
Key Highlights:
- On 18th September 2018, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Technology Incubation Centre in Agartala, through video-conferencing from Bengaluru.
- The ISRO Technology Incubation Centre has been developed at the campus of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala.
- It was launched at the 1st edition of ‘SPACETRONICS’ organised by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA).
- ISRO would incubate start-ups that could build applications, provide services and products that can be used internally and utilise opportunities globally.
Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurates ISRO’s Technology Incubation Centre in Agartala
Key Highlights:
- On September 18, 2018, the Maharashtra government announced the proposal of construction of new Cyber University.
- The certification would be on the lines of Microsoft Certified Professional Program.
PM Narendra Modi went on a 2-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi
Key Highlights:
- On September 17, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Varanasi on the occasion of his 68th birthday.
- He interacted with children of a primary school, aided by non-profit organisation “Room to Read“.
- He also interacted with students of Kashi Vidyapeeth.
- A coffee-table book titled “Narendra Modi: A Charismatic & Visionary Statesman” written by BJP president Amit Shah was released.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved proposal of setting up a Coal Gasification based fertilizer project
Key Highlights:
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved proposal of setting up a Coal Gasification based fertilizer project in Talcher Fertilizer Ltd. (TFL) by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF).
- Cabinet approved enhancement of Honorarium to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) and AWHs Under Anganwadi Services (Umbrella ICDS Scheme)
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved construction of new line between Budni to Indore (Mangaliyagaon) with approximate length of 205.5 Km.
- On September 19, 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved ASHA Benefit Package w.e.f. October, 2018.
Banking
India & the World Bank signed loan for US$ 74 Million for Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP)
Key Highlights:
- On September 18, 2018, India and World Bank signed a loan agreement for IBRD Credit of US$74 million for Uttrakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP).
- To improve the quality and relevance of training at priority Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
- Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and
- Mr. Jorge Coarasa, Acting Country Director, World Bank (India).
- Additionally, Project Agreement was also signed by: Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Skill Development and Employment, Government of Uttrakhand and Mr. Jorge Coarasa, Acting Country Director, World Bank.
- It has a 5-year grace period, and a maturity of 17 years. The closing date for the Project is 30th June, 2023.
India Post Payments Bank, Bajaj Allianz tie up for insurance products sale
Key Highlights:
- On 18th September 2018, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) signed a 5-year Corporate Agency Agreement with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (BALIC) to offer life insurance products to its consumers.
- BALIC is the first life insurer to tie up with IPPB since its launch on 1st September 2018. Initially, simple term and Point of Sale (POS) products of BALIC will be sold through IPPB.
- Postmen and ‘Grameen Dak Sevaks’ will be involved in selling insurance solutions. These products will be initially available in 3250 access points in IPPB’s network. Later it will be extended to 155,000 post offices throughout India.
BSE, NSE get SEBI approval to launch commodity derivatives
Key Highlights:
- BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange) have received approval from SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to launch commodity derivatives segment from 1st October 2018.
- Initially, BSE will enter commodity derivatives segment with non-agriculture commodities like metals. Later it will include agriculture commodities.
- In December 2017, SEBI had announced that, from October 2018, unified exchange regime will be launched through which stock exchanges will be allowed to offer trading in commodity derivatives.
- NSE Clearing Limited has also received clearance from SEBI to carry out clearing and settlement of trades executed in the commodity derivatives segment on NSE.
- BSE will conduct mock trading in live environment for commodity derivatives segment on 22nd September 2018.
Appointments
Anindo Majumdar appointed Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Key Highlights:
- On 18th September 2018, Financial Commissioner of Delhi Anindo Majumdar was appointed Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
- Earlier, he was the chief secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He is a 1985-batch IAS officer of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Mizoram Union Territories (AGMUT cadre).
- His appointment has been approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas appointed Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commisssion
Key Highlights:
- Director of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas has been appointed Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission.
- He replaces Shekhar Basu. His appointment has been approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for a period till he attains 64 years of age (till 3 May 2021) or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
Books
Dr. Mahesh Sharma released 2 books of National Museum
Key Highlights:
- On September 17, 2018, the Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma released two important publications of the National Museum in New Delhi. To generate awareness about the activities of National Museum.
- The National Museum Research Bulletin No.10: Special issue has a number of research paper that highlight the collection, display and education aspect that the National Museum engages with Sindhu Ghati Sabhyata : Ek Parichay is a Hindi version of An Introduction To Indus Valley Civilization.