Daily Current affairs for 21st Dec 2017 (English)
1. A memorandum of
understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Myanmar which aimed at
developing Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The MoU comes in backdrop of massive migration of Rohingya
refugees from violence-wracked Rakhine to Bangladesh. MoU was signed by Foreign
secretary S Jaishankar and Myanmar’s deputy minister for social welfare, relief
and resettlement U Soe Aung. This MoU is first government to government (G2G)
agreement signed by Myanmar with a cooperation partner focussed on
socio-economic development and livelihood initiatives in Rakhine State. Under
this MoU, India has proposed to take up projects to build prefabricated housing
in Rakhine State to meet immediate needs of returning people and also in
Chittagong in Bangladesh.
2. Naseem-Al-Bahr (Sea
Breeze) 2017- The 11th edition of Naval exercise between India and Oman was
held at Said Bin Sultan Naval Base, Wudam in Oman. The Indian
Navy had deployed two naval ships – INS Trikand and INS Teg in this edition of
bilateral exercise for the harbour phase. For the first time, an Indian Navy
had deployed submarine as well as the versatile P8I, long range maritime
aircraft are participating. The first exercise Indian Navy with Royal Navy of
Oman was conducted in 1993. This year marks 24 years of Indian Navy-Royal Navy
of Oman bilateral exercises.
3. Indian Forest
(Amendment) Bill, 2017 was passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill
replaces Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 promulgated by President Ram
Nath Kovind in November 2017 and amends Indian Forest Act, 1927. The bill omits
bamboo (taxonomically a grass) grown in non-forest areas from definition of
trees. The omission, thereby exempts it from requiring permits for felling or
transportation of bamboo grown in non-forest areas. With this, bamboo grown in
non-forest areas ceases to be tree. It will encourage bamboo plantation by
farmers, which will contribute to doubling farmers income by 2022. Though,
bamboo was taxonomically a grass, it was earlier defined as a tree under the Indian
Forest Act, 1927 and its felling and transit required permission. It was major
impediment for bamboo cultivation by farmers on non-forest land. This
bill will remove legal and regulatory hardships being faced by farmers and
private individuals. It will create viable option for cultivation in 12.6
million hectares of cultivable waste land and in creation of job opportunities
in the country.
4. The proposal
for first ever National Rail and Transport University (NRTU) is going to set up
by the Ministry of Railways in Vadodara to skill its human resources and build
capability was approved by the Union Cabinet. The funding
of the new University will entirely come from Ministry of Railways. It
will set up on existing land and infrastructure at National Academy of Indian
Railways (NAIR) at Vadodara, Gujarat. In its full enrolment, it is expected to
have 3000 full time students. The University will be set up as Deemed to Be
University under de novo category as per UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities)
Regulations, 2016. The first academic program is expected to be launched in
July 2018. It will support ‘Startup India’ and ‘Skill India’ by channeling
technology and delivering knowhow, and foster entrepreneurship, generating
large scale employment opportunities.
5. The Financing
Agreement with a Credit of US $125 million (equivalent) for Skills
Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement Operation (STRIVE) Project was
inked by India with World Bank for International Development Association (IDA). The objective
of project is to improve access to quality and market-driven vocational
training and apprenticeships. The closing date for the project is 30th
November, 2022.
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6. The Union Cabinet
has approved extension of term of Commission to examine the issue of
sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), by 12 weeks i.e. upto 2
April, 2018. The Commission headed by retired Chief Justice of Delhi
High Court G. Rohini was constituted under Article 340 of Constitution with
approval of President Ram Nath Kovind in October 2017. The extension of tenure
will enable Commission to submit a comprehensive report on issue of
sub-categorization of OBCs, after consultation with various stakeholders.
Sub-categorisation of OBCs aims to ensure more equitable distribution of
reservations in government jobs and educational institutions so that dominant
groups among OBCs do not corner all benefits. The exercise will involve
sub-categorisation of 5,000 castes in central OBC list.
7. The Union Cabinet chaired
by PM Modi has given its ex-post –facto approval for a memorandum of
understanding between India and Italy on co-operation in the field of health
and medical sciences.
8. The Union Cabinet
chaired by PM Modi has given its ex-post –facto approval for a memorandum
of understanding between India and Cuba on co-operation in the field of health
and medical sciences.
9. The Indian
Institute of Management (IIM) Bill 2017 was passed by the Parliament with Rajya
Sabha, the Upper House approving it on 19th Dec 2017. The Lower House
of the parliament already passed the bill in July 2017 during its monsoon
session
10. The
Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) has launched a new program SAMEEP (
Students and MEA engagement program) to make the student understand
India’s place in the world and its golden ambitions and also to look at
diplomacy as a career option.
Announcement !
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