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Current affairs (25) RICE-IAS ACADEMY

21.04.2017-28.04.2017

INDIA

60% Indian Engineers Can’t write Code That Compiles, Only 1.4% can write Correct Code

A study from Aspiring Minds has found that a vast majority computer science graduates at around 60% can’t

write code and while only 1.4% were able to write functionally correct code.

Key facts:

As many as 36,000 students from over 500 colleges took ‘Automata,’ a Machine Learning-based

assessment of software development skills.

Aspiring Minds discovered that only 4.77% candidates were able to write the correct logic for the

problems they were given.

India has 7080 colleges that provide a degree in computer science and related fields.

The standards of education in several of these colleges though are dubious, and graduates often find it

hard to land jobs.

Even the ones who get placed at these firms aren’t exactly hitting top dollar – ITfresher salaries have

remained fairly constant over the last two decades, and a new employee at these firms typically earn

between Rs. 20,000-Rs. 25,000 per month

jobs for coders might soon be running out, thanks to increased automation efforts — major IT firms

have already said that they’re automating jobs which were previously done by humans.

The Indian engineering education system is hurtling towards a bit of a disaster — and this is not

something that a mere reboot will fix.

Background: India had seen IT revolution in the early 2000s, with companies like Infosys, Wipro and HCL

proving reliable white-collar jobs for young graduates. Companies like Infosys and Wipro have their own

intense training periods for college graduates during which they’re equipped with the skills required in a

computer science role

Govt uses ‘adverse’ IB reports to reject names of 6 former judges for tribunals, commissions

Arguing over the Memorandum of Procedure, the Supreme Court has refused to agree to a Government veto on

a judge’s appointment on grounds of national security. But as the faceoff continues, the Centre has used “secret”

inputs provided by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to block post-retirement assignments to former judges.

Key facts:

The six include: two judges who recently retired from the Supreme Court; two who retired as Chief

Justices of High Courts; and two former HC judges.

These judges were recommended by the judiciary for appointments to panels that include Telecom

Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Competition Appellate Tribunal, National Consumer

Disputes Redressal Commission, National Company Law Tribunal and Armed Forces Tribunal.

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The judges’ names were sent for approval to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) after

due diligence by the administrative ministry concerned.

While four former judges were not cleared for the job by the ACC on grounds of “adverse IB reports,”

two other names were sent back by the ACC without ascribing any reason

In post-retirement appointments, the government is not rule-bound to accept the judiciary’s

recommendation but has to provide sufficient grounds for turning it down.

UP govt to conduct fresh survey on Jewar airport

A second international airport for Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) could become a reality soon with the

Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh asking the Centre for a fresh feasibility report on a new airport at

Jewar near Noida.

Key facts:

The present Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] government in UP has requested technical evaluation of the

Jewar airport since the previous evaluation was done many years ago.

The government will follow the procedure as per its Greenfield Airport Policy.

The Civil Aviation Minister said the second airport needs to be built in the next four-eight years once

the terminal capacity of Delhi’s IGIA is saturated.

The IGI airport can accommodate 105-110 million passengers. The rate at which the air traffic is

growing, we will be able to use the IGI airport’s capacity and need a second airport. The Delhi airport

terminals can handle 62 million passengers annually at present. In 2016-17, it handled 57.7 million

passengers.

Background: The plan for building a second airport at Jewar for NCR was first submitted by the then UP Chief

Minister Mayawati in 2002..

The UP government had in March 2016 submitted a formal proposal for site clearance to the Centre. It had

asked the UP government to carry out an Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey.The airport plan will

require two-stage approval from the Central government — site clearance and in-principle approval.

Planning Project Cow like Project Tiger, a cow sanctuary in each state: MoS Home

Amid the nationwide debate over demands to ban cow slaughter and rising incidents of violence by ‘gau

rakshaks’, Minister of State (Home) Hansraj G Ahir has said the government is considering a proposal to set up

“cow sanctuaries” and start a ‘Project Cow’ on the lines of ‘Project Tiger’.

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Key facts:

According to the minister, the proposal was given in order to stop cow slaughter

The biggest stumbling block is to take care of these cows. Thus, there was a need to make cow

sanctuaries for this, with arrangements for fodder also.

Each state should have cow sanctuaries

"Doctor Didi" Bhakti Yadav presented Padma Shri at her home

Nonagenarian gynaecologist Dr Bhakti Yadav was today presented Padma Shri award, conferred on her by

Union Government, at her residence here by the district administration.

Background:

Dr Yadav, the first woman doctor from Indore, was conferred the award in recognition of her service to

the poor.

She has treated over one lakh poor women free of cost during her medial practice, spanning over six

decades.

She was the only girl in 1948-1953 batch of MBBS course in Indores Government Mahatma Gandhi

Memorial Medical College

Nagaland erects memorial monolith to mark sacrifice of Naga Labour Corps in World War I

The Nagaland government is erecting a memorial monolith to mark the role and sacrifice of the Naga Labour

Corps that was raised exactly 100 years ago and sent out to France to take part in the First World War

Key facts:

This year is the 100th Year Anniversary of the participation of the Naga Labour Corps in the First

World War in France.

Around 2000 Nagas seemed to have been recruited for what was designated as the Naga Labour

Corps, and numbered as the 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th (Naga) Labour Companies.

Of them, the 35th Company was dispatched on April 21, 1917 for France, and they sailed for that

country on April 26

The services of this Naga Labour Company were particularly utilised in Mametz, Le Transloy, Haute

Avesnes, Contalmaison and Guillemont for carrying out salvage work, road repairs among others in the

First World War.

Their participation in the First World War opened up new horizons for the young Nagas, some of

whom, on their immediate return from Europe in 1918 established the ‘Naga Club’, a socio-political

organisation that played a crucial role in establishing the Naga political identity in later decades

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JuD declared 2017 as “Year of kashmir”

Pakistan-based terror group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

Key facts:

JuD, which was earlier known as Lashkar-e-Taiba and is now called Tehreek Azadi Jammu and

Kashmir (TAJK), has declared this year as the “year of Kashmir.”

The declaration is a clear indication that they are looking to give a surge to Kashmir militancy.

They have conducted eight social media workshops recently on how to use it to further their cause.

Taj Mahal changing colour, mud therapy being used: Govt

A kind of mud therapy is being used on Taj Mahal as the white marble structure is changing colour,

Culture minister Mahesh Sharma said efforts are also being made to reduce the impact of insects on the 17th

century structure

Key facts:

A kind of mud therapy, involving application of a paste of ‘multani mitti’, was being undertaken to

preserve the colour of the monument.

It has been applied on three-fourths of the structure and is “showing results”

The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has also submitted a report about

the upkeep of the Taj.

Bengal declares 275 km of state higways as ‘arterial roads’

The West Bengal government has declared around 275 km of state highways passing through various

municipalities as ‘arterial roads’. The notification posted on the state PWD website on March 16 came

in between the Supreme Court order on highway liquor ban on December 15, 2016, and its

reaffirmation by the apex court on March 31.

The state government has not given any specific reason for the denotification which covers stretches

along all the 16 state highways. The apex court order is expected to hit the state’s excise revenue to the

tune of Rs 1,000 crore as around 1,700 liquor shops falling within 500 metres of both state and national

highways had to stop vending liquor.

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WORLD

U.K., India unveil joint ‘green’ fund

India and the U.K. have announced a joint Green Growth Equity Fund in which they have committed to anchor

invest up to £120 million each.

Aims

The purpose is to help India enhance inclusive growth by boosting investment into green infrastructure

on commercial terms

The success of the Fund will crowd in private investment that will have a transformational impact on

India’s development

The fund aims to raise about £500 million, and may unlock more in future.

The deal was announced at the bilateral meeting between Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the U.K. Chancellor

of the Exchequer Philip Hammond.

YouTube brings ‘Go’ to India to tackle patchy Internet signals

Tech giant Google will make available its new app ‘YouTube Go’ for Indian users that will enable them to

watch videos even in areas with poor Internet connectivity.

The product was announced in September last year. It has been launched in a beta phase and the company will

launch it to a wider audience early next yea

Advantages

YouTube Go will also allow users to preview videos before they save or watch the content as well as

choose the resolution when saving or streaming videos, so as to control the amount of data they spend

on that video.

In 2014, Google had launched YouTube Offline to help users watch videos without waiting for the

videos to buffer.

It has also rolled out a ‘Smart Offline’ feature that allows users to schedule videos to be saved offline

later at off-peak times when data is faster and cheaper.

New York's Eleven Madison Park named world's best restaurant

Contemporary New York eatery Eleven Madison Park was crowned the world's best restaurant of 2017 at a

glitzy ceremony in Melbourne, edging out last year's winner, Italy's Osteria Francescana.

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Key facts:

It is run by Swiss-born chef Daniel Humm, the Manhattan institution came out on top at the World's 50

Best Restaurants awards, widely seen as the Oscars of the food world.

The top 10 was rounded out by restaurants in France, Peru, Thailand, Austria and Spain.

France, Spain and the United States each had six restaurants in the top 50, while eateries from China,

Chile, Hong Kong and Singapore also made the grade.

China renames six areas in Arunachal

Within days of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, China has reinforced its claims

on the State by naming six places there in standardised Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabets.

Key facts:

The name ascribed by Beijing to Arunachal Pradesh are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidêngarbo Ri, Mainquka,

Bümo La and Namkapub Ri.

INDIA

Ameenpur lake gets biodiversity heritage tag

Ameenpur lake, located in the metropolitan area limits of Hyderabad with a number of industrial units nearby,

has been designated a ‘biodiversity heritage site.’

Key facts:

A major attraction for admirers of birds, particularly the majestic flamingos, is the first water body in

the country to get such a status.

A variety of local and migratory birds, including egrets, herons, cormorants, kingfishers and river terns,

throng the lake and make it an attractive destination

According to Tejdeep Kaur Menon, Director General, Telangana State Special Protection Force

(TSSPF), this is the fruition of a sustained effort begun early in 2015 to save the 93.15-acre lake with a

series of clean-up campaigns in and around the lake.

The freshly brewed aroma of a letter

The Department of Posts will release a ‘coffee stamp’ at the General Post Office, Bengaluru.

Key facts

The stamps have been printed at the India Security Press, Nashik.

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The technology involves spraying or embossing the stamps with fine coffee granules, that will retain

the aroma for long time

The stamp will be released by Minister of State for Communications Manoj Sinha and Union Minister

for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman, with officials of the Postal Department and Coffee

Board

A collector's version is priced at Rs. 100.

One lakh stamps will be ready for sale to collectors.

The stamp, first day cover, miniature sheets and information brochures will be available at the Philately

Bureau, Bangalore General Post Office, and all other head post offices.

Background:

Bhutan first introduced the concept of aromatic stamps in 1973.

New Zealand, Thailand and Switzerland joined in later, among others.

Brazil has issued coffee- and burnt-wood-scented stamps, and China has done fruits and sweet-and-

sour pork.

India introduced its first aromatic stamp in 2006, with a Rs. 15 sandalwood-scented stamp

In 2007, there were rose-scented stamps — in four varieties of the flower, Jawahar, Neelam, Delhi

Princess and Bhim at Rs.5 each, and a jasmine fragrance in 2008.

Kohinoornotourjurisdiction:SC

The Supreme Court has refused to further dwell on a petition seeking a judicial declaration to bring the

Kohinoor diamond back from the United Kingdom, leaving the task to the wisdom and efforts of the

government.

Key facts:

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar questioned how petitions seeking the return of

properties lying with a foreign government find their way into the Supreme Court, which has no

jurisdiction whatsoever over such matters,

The court said it cannot direct the United Kingdom on what to do with the Kohinoor diamond.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the All India Human Rights and Social Front against the High

Commissioner of the U.K.

Background:

The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972, which prevents the export of precious articles and

treasures from the country, was toothless as the British East India Company confiscated the Kohinoor

from the boy king Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849 — “it is a known historical fact.”

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Though both India and the U.K. were signatories to the UNESCO Convention on Means of Prohibiting

and Preventing Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the restitution of

Kohinoor would require a “special agreement” between both countries.

Department of Science and Technology (DST) has initiated a Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) programme.

With autonomous vehicles and robot-executed surgeries becoming commonplace around the world, the

Department of Science and Technology (DST) has initiated a Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) programme.

Key facts:

It is still at a nascent stage,

It has been conceived as a Rs.3,000-crore exercise

It would be given in any of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

An initial budget of Rs.100 crore has been earmarked for the project in the current financial year.

About CPS

CPS is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the deployment of computer-based systems that do

things in the physical world, such as, for instance, the self-driven cars produced by Google and Tesla.

However, even smart grids (where electricity is optimally distributed on the basis of calculations in real time by

micro-processors) as well as autonomous unmanned vehicles and aircraft navigation systems qualify as ‘cyber

physical systems.’

Important area: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to cyber physical systems earlier this year at the Indian

Science Congress in Tirupati.

Pointing out that it was an “important area that needed to be addressed,” he had noted that it had the

“potential to pose unprecedented challenges and stresses to our demographic dividend.”

By ensuring that the future workforce is skilled in “robotics, artificial intelligence, digital

manufacturing, big data analysis, deep learning, quantum communication and Internet-of-Things,” it

could be turned into a huge opportunity.

Though India is only now developing a programme on CPS, the National Science Foundation of the United

States had identified it as a key area of inter-disciplinary research back in 2003.

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India, Russia seal deal on Kudankulam Unit 1

Key facts:

India has taken over full operational control of Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

(KKNPP).

India signed a joint statement with Russia on the final takeover of the unit, formally marking the full

transition.

Background:

The agreement was signed between representatives of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. and the

ASE Group of Companies, a subsidiary of ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia.

With the deal, the Russian and the Indian sides have confirmed fulfilment of all warranty terms and

obligations of the contractor (ASE Group of Companies) for the construction of Unit 1, Rosatom

The commercial operation and the warranty period of Unit 1 started in December 2014. The warranty is

typically for one year, which ended in December 2015.

FMCG is highest paying sector in India: Randstad

According to a survey by human service providers, ‘Randstad’ employees of fast moving consumer goods

(FMCG) industry receive the highest salaries in India at Rs. 11.3 lakh a year as the average annual cost-to-

company (CTC) across all levels and functions.

Key facts:

According to Randstad 2017 Salary Trends Study findings, the FMCG sector is followed by power and

information technology, where employees earn average annual salaries of Rs. 9.8 lakh and Rs.9.3 lakh

respectively,

Pharma and healthcare, offering an average annual CTC of Rs. 8.8 lakh and telecom Rs.8.7 lakhs take

the fourth and fifth position in the list as India's most lucrative industries.

Indian economy to grow at 7.4% in FY18: ADB

According to the Asian Development Bank, India’s economy is set to grow at 7.4% in the current fiscal year

2017-18 against 7.1% in the previous year, on the back of pick-up in consumption demand and higher public

investment.

In its latest Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2017 report, ADB said while the recent gross domestic product

(GDP) data for 2016-17 did not fully capture the effects of demonetisation, the slowdown did reflect a continued

slump in investment

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The ADO expects consumption to pick up as more new bank notes are put in circulation after the shock

withdrawal of high-value currencies on 8 November and as planned salary and pension hike for state employees

are implemented

Among potential risks for the Indian economy, the assessment notes risks from higher oil prices as Indian

imports nearly 80% of it fossil fuel needs.

ADB projected inflation to accelerate to 5.2% in 2017-18 and 5.4% in 2018-19 as the global economy recovers

and commodity prices rebound.

The report estimates of a $1 increase in oil prices raises the import bill by nearly $2 billion. In 2016-17, rising

oil prices resulted in a 37.6% increase in India’s import bill. To mitigate India’s vulnerability to oil price swings,

the government has proposed reducing dependence on imported oil by 10% over the next five years through

more efficient domestic production and increased private investment into the sector, the report noted.

NoticestoCentre,GujaratonpleaagainstOBClist

The Gujarat High Court had sought the stand of the Union and the State government on a plea seeking

cancellation of a 1994 official resolution that had inducted people of 39 castes into the Other Backward Class

(OBC) list.

Key facts:

The plea was filed by Ajmal Thakor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator of Visnagar

Nagarpalika in Mehsana district.

The petition also seeks a fresh survey to identify other backward communities and create a new list of

the OBC.

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The Division Bench of Chief Justice R. Subhash Reddy and Justice V.M. Pancholi has issued notices to

the National and State OBC commissions, besides the Union and the State government, in the case.

The petitioner has contended that the inclusion of 39 castes in the OBC list was not based on any

review or recommendation of the OBC panel

The plea has also sought the HC’s direction to freeze jobs and admissions being given on the basis of

the list.

NGT asks Delhi govt to introduce destination buses from May 1

The National Green Tribunal had directed Delhi government to introduce destination buses from May 1, in a bid

to help improve the air quality in the national capital.

Key facts:

Destination buses are the ones which ply from one point to another without any halt in between.

A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the AAP government to run

the point-to-point buses on an experimental basis from Dwarka, Rohini, Janakpuri, CGO complex and

Badarpur border.

The green panel said these services will start from spots where it is convenient for the public at large.

The NGT said introduction of such bus services would facilitate an individual to opt for such a service,

rather than driving a car alone on highly-congested roads.

The green panel also directed the Delhi Transport Corporation to maintain these buses and engage their

staff for cleaning and maintaining them.

Background:

The tribunal had earlier pulled up the Delhi government for not starting these point-to-point bus services till date

despite its order.

WORLD

MTV awards go gender neutral

Key facts:

MTV has scrapped gender-specific categories for its upcoming movie and TV awards.

In place of the ‘Best Actress’ and ‘Best Actor’ categories, this year’s awards will honour a non-

gendered ‘Best Actor’ in a movie and ‘Best Actor’ in a television show.

The move follows the Grammy Awards’ decision in 2011 to dump gender distinctions between male

and female singers and collaborations.

Actor Adam DeVine will host the ceremony in Los Angeles on May 7.

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MTV’s May ceremony will also include a nod to social activism by renaming its Best Fight category to

Best Fight the System.

This the first year the MTV Movie Awards has been redubbed the Movie & TV Awards.

Breaking the silence on depression

To encourage people with depression to overcome stigma and seek treatment, the World Health

Organisation is focussing on the illness this World Health Day, April 7.

The public health community worldwide is recognising the damage caused by the silence over

depression and mental illness and has raised the slogan “Depression: Let’s Talk” to mark the day.

Nearly five crore Indians have depression, and according to the latest WHO estimates, over 300 million

people are living with it globally. This is an increase of more than 18% over the last decade and

accounts for over two-thirds of global suicides that occur in low- and middle-income countries such as

India.

Premature deaths

Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability. Lack of support for people with mental

disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevents many from accessing the treatment they need to lead

a healthy and productive life.

A study on the prevalence of depression among adolescent students of a public school revealed that

three-nine% of teenagers met the criteria for depression at any one time; at the end of adolescence,

20% of teenagers report a lifetime prevalence of depression.

Amritsar Improvement Trust plans to seek donations to keep tallest tricolour fly high

Worried over burgeoning maintenance cost of the India's tallest and heaviest national flag at Attari, the Amritsar

Improvement Trust (AIT) is contemplating seeking donations from industrial houses or any individual or visitor

to keep the flag hoisted on a 350 feet flagpole.

The AIT had also decided to reduce the size of flag from earlier 80x120 feet weighing over a 100kg costing

around Rs 90,000 to 48x72 feet with a weight of 65kg that would cost Rs 65,000.

AIT officials are of the view that even the new flag's life would not be more than 10 days on an average

64th National Film Awards Winners:

The much-awaited winners' list of the 64th National Film Awards was announced

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Sonam Kapoor -starrer 'Neerja', which was directed by Ram Madhvani, was declared as the” Best Hindi

Feature Film”.

Akshay Kumar bagged the Best Actor award for his act in 'Rustom'

while Ajay Devgn -directed 'Shivaay' won the award for Best VFX.

Sonam Kapoor also got a Special Mention for her performance in 'Neerja'.

You’re a senior at 60, says Centre

The Union government wants its Ministries and departments and private agencies to adopt 60 as the age at the

which a person is classified a senior citizen.

Key facts:

This is to address anomalies in extending benefits to the elderly.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry is planning to bring in an amendment to the

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, to implement this change.

The Act defines senior citizens as any person who is a citizen of India and has attained the age of “60

years and above”.

Niyamgiri’sherogetsGoldmanPrize

Activist Prafulla Samantara was named on Monday as one of the six winners of the Goldman Environmental

Prize for 2017.

Key facts:

The prize citation said he was honoured for his “…historic 12-year legal battle that affirmed the

indigenous Dongria Kondhs’ land rights and protected the Niyamgiri Hills from a massive, open-pit

aluminum ore mine.”

The annual prize awarded by the Goldman Environmental Foundation honours grassroots

environmentalists, who risk their lives to protect the environment and empower those who have the

most to lose from industrial projects that threaten their traditional livelihoods.

The Goldman Environmental Prize recipients are selected by an international jury from confidential

nominations submitted by a worldwide group of environmental organizations and individuals. The

winners are announced every April to coincide with Earth Day.

Apart from a medal and citation, winners receive a substantial cash award though the exact amount is

not revealed. Reuters reported in 2014 that individuals won $175,000 (₹1.13 crore approx) as prize

money.

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Other prize-winners this year include mark! (sic) Lopez, United States; Uroš Macerl, Slovenia; Rodrigo

Tot, Guatemala; Rodrigue Katembo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Wendy Bowman, Australia.

Since 1990 when the awards were first instituted, six Indians — Medha Patkar, M.C. Mehta, Rasheeda

Bi, Champaran Shukla, Ramesh Agrawal and Prafulla Samantara have won the prize.

Background:

Mr. Samantara was one of the key leaders responsible for rallying tribes, indigenous to Odisha’s Niyamgiri

region, and using legal provisions to thwart mining-to-metals conglomerate, Vedanta. The company has been

forced to suspend plans to mine bauxite in the region.

Mr. Samantara, 65, comes from a family of farmers. Trained as a lawyer and married to a college professor, he

has been involved in activism for nearly four decades. He is however, best known for his championing of the

rights of the Dongria Kondh, an 8,000-member indigenous tribe in Orissa. The Niyamgiri Hills are sacred to

them, and as such, the Dongria consider themselves to be its custodians.

In October 2004, the Odisha State Mining Company (OMC) signed an agreement with U.K.-based Vedanta

Resources to mine bauxite, in the Niyamgiri Hills. The massive, open-pit mine threatened 1,660 acres of forests

in order to extract more than 70 million tons of bauxite. The mine would also require roads to transport the

bauxite, which would leave the forest vulnerable to loggers and poacher.\

Moderation system to end

Central and State school boards have decided to discontinue the practice of raising board examination marks

through moderation.

At the meeting with the Union Human Resource Development on Monday, they discussed concerns that spiking

of marks by some boards was denying students across India a level playing field in admission to higher

education courses.

Key facts:

All boards including the CBSE, ICSE and State boards will do away with spiking of marks through

moderation.

The decision will, however, no longer affect admissions to the IITs, as the government has decided to

do away with Class 12 marks’ weightage.

What will stay will be the minimum eligibility marks to join the premier engineering institutes.

However, sources said the boards could continue the practice of awarding grace marks. But these

would have to be mentioned on the marksheet and they would have to make public the criteria for

awarding the same.

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VeteranactorK.ViswanathwinsDadasahebPhalkeawardfor2016

Renowned filmmaker and actor Kasinadhuni Viswanath, best known for his award-winning movies in Telugu,

Tamil and Hindi, has won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for the year 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the

film industry.

Key facts:

He will be the 48 recipient of the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, which consists of a

golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a shawl.

President Pranab Mukherjee will confer the award on him at a ceremony on May 3 at Vigyan Bhawan

here.

The recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke award committee to recognise the 87-year-old film

industry icon was approved by Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday.

About:

A recipient of five National Film Awards, Viswanath is celebrated for his film Sankarabharanam, Sagara

Sangamam, Swati Mutyam, Saptapadi, Kaamchor, Sanjog and Jaag Utha Insaan. Mr. Viswanath, who has made

about 50 films since 1965, is known for his plots that revolve around social themes.

Swati Mutyam, a National Award-winning film, was India’s official entry to the 59 Academy Awards in the best

foreign film category. He won the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Andhra Pradesh goverment has honoured him

with 20 Nandi awards.

× India and Australia pact

Amid Chinese aggressive policies in South China Sea, India and Australia have decided to expand their defence

and security partnership.

Following wide-ranging dialogue between PM Modi and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull who is

on his maiden trip to India as the PM, the two sides signed key counter-terror agreement to fight common

challenges.

They also held talks on Canberra supplying uranium to Indian nuclear power plants. It's hoped that

Canberra would start the supply beginning this year.

The two sides signed five other pacts, including one on space cooperation. In a press statement, PM Modi said:

"The waters of the Indian Ocean remind us of our linked histories.”

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PM to inaugurate longest bridge on May 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the country’s longest bridge over the Brahmaputra river

in Assam on May 24.

Mr. Modi will visit Assam to inaugurate the Dhola-Sadiya bridge

UP govt cancels 15 holidays on VIPs’ birth/death anniversaries

The Uttar Pradesh government cancelled 15 public holidays in marking the birth or death anniversary of

eminent personalities.

Key facts:

Most of the holidays had been declared by the previous Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi

Party (SP) governments apparently to keep certain sections of the society in good humour, often with

an eye on the vote bank.

According to Yogi , “There should be no holidays in schools on birth anniversaries of great

personalities. Instead, a special two-hour programme should be held to teach students about them. The

220-day academic session has been reduced to only 120 days due to such holidays and if this tradition

continues, there will be no day left for teaching in schools”

Public holidays that have been scrapped by the government include Jan Nayak Karpori Thakur birth

anniversary (Jan 24), Maharshi Kashyap and Maharaj Guha birth anniversary (Apr 5), Hazrat Khwaja

Moinuddin Chisti Ajmeri Gareeb Nawaz Urs on (Apr 14), Chandrashekhar birth anniversary (Apr 17),

Parashu Ram Jayanti (Apr 28), Maharana Pratap Jayanti (May 9), Jamat Ul Vida on June 23 (last

Friday of Ramzan), Chhat Puja (Oct 26), Eid Milad Un Nabi (Dec 2), Chaudhary Charan Singh Jayanti

(Dec 23).

Wikipedia launches news service

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is launching a project aimed at reshaping the news media called

“WikiTribune”.

Key facts:

“WikiTribune” aims to tackle the epidemic of fake news and misinformation by using crowd-sourcing

or the broad online community of journalists and others as fact checkers.

The new service will be free, without advertising, relying on contributions from users.

Onlineportaltoconnectstart-upstakeholder

The Centre is planning to set up an online portal to bring together all stakeholders in the start-up ecosystem

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Aims:

The aim is to connect investors, incubators, fund givers and the facilitators

These include facilities for self-certification on labour-law stipulation and also on environmental-

regulations.

No inspection is usually held in these cases unless a specific complaint is received

Background:

Since the government launched its Startup policy in January 2016, so far, 12 states have come on board

with announcement on ease of business for startups.

These states include Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Daman and Diu,

Uttarakhand, Tripura, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh , Mizoram and Jharkhand.

The government was working with the remaining states to make them come up with certain best

practices needed to foster the start-up ecosystem that would also be a repository of all government

schemes to support start-ups.

FirstskilluniversitygetsRegistrar

The Rajasthan government has appointed Commissioner (Skills, Employment & Entrepreneurship) Krishna

Kunal as Registrar of the country’s first skill university at Jamdoli

Background:

The Rajasthan-ILD Skills University (RISU) was established through a Bill passed in the State

Assembly’s Budget session last month along with a private university, Bharatiya Skill Development

University (BSDU).

The State government had signed an MoU with the Institute of Leadership Development for this in

2015.

BSDU – established in the Mahindra Special Economic Zone – will provide skill-based job-oriented

polymechanic training programmes.

Key facts

RISU will foster skill training and employability of youth under the National Skills Qualification

Framework.

The university will also become an affiliating body for institutions engaged in skill and vocational

training.

It is India’s first vocational and education training centre based on the Swiss Dual System.

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Delhi,ShimlaflightsfromApril28

National carrier Air India’s subsidiary Alliance Air will be the first airline to start operating flights between

Delhi and Shimla under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).

Key facts:

The first flight, under the government’s pet scheme ‘Udey Desh ka Aam Nagrik’ or UDAN, will be

flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Shimla on April 27.

Alliance Air will operate regular flights using a 48-seater ATR-42 all-economy class aircraft from

April 28.

Due to the short runway length, height and temperature restrictions, the aircraft will 128 routes

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi is expected to announce Alliance Air’s RCS flights

between Amritsar-Nanded and Kadapa-Chennai.

A total of five airlines — Alliance Air, SpiceJet, Turbo Megha, Air Odisha and Air Deccan are set to

start operating on 128 routes this year.

MeetInKolkata:Chinapushesforinter-governmentalmechanismforBCIMeconomiccorridor

As the third meeting of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor joint study group

began in Kolkata, China pushed for setting up of an inter-governmental mechanism that can elevate the process

of implementing the corridor from Track II to Track I.

Background:

The last two meetings of the K2K (Kolkata to Kunming) corridor took place in Kunming in China and

Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh, respectively.

In the last meeting in Cox’s Bazaar in December 2014, it was decided to elevate the corridor to a Track

I status, which means initiation of discussions between the government of the four respective countries.

Importance of an inter-governmental co-operation mechanism for BCIM corridor.

China attaches great importance to the BCIM corridor in order to achieve results and harness the

potential of regional development,

The 2,800 square kilometer multi-modal corridor was to be the first expressway between India and

China, passing through Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The corridor aims at regional co-operation between the four countries, especially with respect to trade

and commerce, people to people connect, setting up of special economic zones and industrial hubs

along the corridor.

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Louvrepyramidcreatorturns100

The modernist architect I. M. Pei, who was once pilloried for plonking a glass pyramid into the courtyard of the

Louvre, turns 100

Key points:

The Chinese-American designer endured a roasting from critics before the giant glass structure opened

in 1989, with up to 90% of Parisians said to be against the project at one point.

Mr. Pei’s masterstroke was to link the three wings of the world’s most visited museum with vast

underground galleries bathed in light from his glass and steel pyramid.

It served as the museum’s main entrance, making its subterranean concourse bright even on the most

overcast of days.

About

Mr. Pei, who grew up in Hong Kong and Shanghai before studying at Harvard with the Bauhaus founder Walter

Gropius

RIL partners with Germany’s Resysta to bring innovative wood alternative in India

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) has entered into a licence agreement with Resysta

International GmbH (Resysta), a leading German innovator,

Key facts:

RIL has given exclusive rights of production and marketing of RelWood, a Natural Fibre Polymer

Composite (NFPC), to Resysta

This compound will be the raw material for the production of sheets and profiles used in a wide range

of wood and plywood replacement applications.

Aadhaar-PAN linkage meant to plug tax leaks, says SC

The Supreme Court referred to the mandatory linking of Aadhaar to the Permanent Account Number (PAN) and

Income Tax returns as an instance of the government’s efforts to bring “new and new laws to stop leakages”

Key facts:

The court was hearing petitions filed by Ramon Magsaysay award winner Bezwada Wilson, former

Kerala Minister Binoy Viswam and ex-Army officer S.G. Vombatkere, challenging the

constitutionality of Section 139AA inserted in the Income Tax Act by the Finance Act, 2017.

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Agencies blacklisted

At least 34,000 agencies which dealt with collecting data for Aadhaar were blacklisted.

Reorient social sector subsidies: NITI Aayog

According to the NITI Aayog, India’s social sector subsidies should be reoriented so that beneficiaries don’t

become dependent on them.

Key facts:

In its three-year action plan for the economy the government think-tank mooted a reduction in food

subsidies as a proportion of GDP by 2019-20 through better targeting and rationalisation measures.

Within revenue expenditures, subsidies have tended to crowd out the socially more productive

expenditures such as those on education and health

The social subsidies should be reoriented so that beneficiaries become economically independent

instead of remaining perpetually dependent on them.

While in absolute terms, the allocation towards food subsidy, as per the Aayog, will increase

marginally to Rs1.57 lakh crore from Rs.1.24 lakh crore, as a proportion to GDP, the expenditure will

come down to 0.73% from 0.90% in 2015-16.

The efficiency of social expenditure must be improved to deliver better outcomes

This may be done for example through better targeting and the use of direct benefit transfers.

Open ended schemes that can absorb rising expenditures and lack clearly identified beneficiaries must

be avoided.

State looking into Centre’sproposal on NTPC takeover

The government will examine the Centre’s proposal to handover to the State NTPC’s Rajiv Gandhi Combined

Cycle Power Plant (RGCCPP) at Kayamkulam.

The feasibility, viability, and other issues related to the takeover of the 359.58-MW power plant had to be

examined in detail.

Up to Rs 50,000 in one financial year: E-wallets can be used to invest in mutual funds

Sebi has allowed use of e-wallet for investments in mutual funds (MF) for investments up to Rs 50,000 each

financial year. Market regulator also bought in uniform norms for instant access facility (IAF) in liquid schemes.

21

Key facts:

Under the new facility, funds will send the redemption proceeds into the registered bank account of the

investor instantly from the time of receipt of Instant Redemption request using Immediate Payment

Service (IMPS) provided by various banks.

It is not mandatory at all, it is up to the fund houses to provide this option

This facility can also be used for investment in mutual funds through tie-ups with Payments Banks

provided necessary approvals are taken from RBI.

Sebi allowed used to e-wallet, but redemption of such investments can be made only to a bank account

of the unit holder.

e-wallet issuers must not offer any incentive such as cash back etc., for investing in mutual fund

scheme through them.

Land,assetsof5sickPSUunitsputupforsale

Land and other immovable assets of five sick public sector units including HMT Watches and Hindustan Cables

have been put on sale, as the government looks to shut the continuously loss-making units.

Key facts:

State-owned construction firm NBCC (India) Ltd is auctioning the assets, which will be sold only to

central and state government organisations.

Land parcels and other immovable assets of five central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) —

Hindustan Cables Ltd, Instrumentation Ltd, HMT Bearing Ltd, HMT Watches Ltd and Tungabhadra

Steel Products are up for sale

These properties are located in nine states — Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan,

Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

NBCC was appointed last September as Land Management Agency (LMA) for disposal of land assets

of the sick CPSEs

Don’t hire on contract: HC

The Rajasthan High Court has restrained the State government from employing people on contract for posts that

are permanent. The Court has also imposed a ban on hiring employees through placement agencies.

Key facts:

The court was hearing a petition against the State government’s practice of not giving permanent

employment and hiring people on contract to fill up regular vacancies

‘Merit-based’ :Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma ruled that hiring for posts created under Central and

State government schemes should be “merit-based”.

22

Selection of candidates, even on contract, to be done through the proper channel, including

advertisements and written examinations

The court, which has not imposed a blanket ban on hiring employees on contract, has given the State

government liberty to constitute a nodal agency and lay down a procedure for the purpose.

Appointments should not be made only on the basis of interviews and the merit list of candidates

should show the marks obtained by them

Haryana launches anti-Romeo drive 'Operation Durga'

On the lines of the anti-Romeo squad in Uttar Pardesh, the Haryana government has launched 'Operation

Durga', under which police teams nabbed 72 people on the very first day from across the state.

Twenty-four teams formed by Chief Minister's Flying Squad nabbed these people from all the districts for

allegedly indulging in crimes against women

Therefore, the campaign Operation Durga was undertaken after identifying places where such anti-social

elements were indulging in eve teasing, vulgar comments, stalking and other similar activities

Rs. 42-crore needed to restore floodplains

A whopping Rs. 42.02 crore would be required to restore the Yamuna floodplains, which was ravaged due to a

cultural extravaganza organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living last year

Key facts:

The expert panel has said that there would be two components of the rehabilitation plan -- physical and

biological and they would cost Rs. 28.73 crore and Rs. l3.29 crore respectively, besides additional

ancillary expenses.

The Art of Living Foundation termed the findings of the panel as "biased" and alleged that expert

committee's report has been leaked to the media without serving them a copy.

Background

The NGT-appointed panel elaborated the timeline and the mechanism to be undertaken to ensure revival of the

riverbed.

The tribunal had constituted the committee last year to inspect the site of the World Culture Festival. It was

headed by Shashi Shekhar, secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, and had senior scientists and experts from

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, IIT-Delhi and other agencies as its members.

Cabinet approves implementation of Supreme Court’s Judgment regarding Target Plus Scheme (TPS)

under Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2004-09

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The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the implementation of

Supreme Court’s Judgment dated 27th October 2015 regarding Target Plus Scheme (TPS) 2004-09

The revenue implication under the TPS arising from the Hon’ble Supreme Curt’s Judgment is about Rs. 2700

crore.

Benefit is being extended to all the applicant exporters eligible as per provisions of the initially notified TPS

Scheme under FTP for the year 2005-06, and as per provisions of Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09 throughout the

country.

The Target Plus Scheme (TPS) 2005-06 was already implemented partially. However, the claims which were

denied as a result of retrospective notification will be now settled as per direction of the Supreme Court in 2006.

The scheme has been discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2006.

The corrective measure will bring an end to multiple litigations with the Government and the claims under the

TPS will be issued as per original provisions under Foreign Trade Policy in compliance with the decision of the

Hon’ble Supreme Court.

India, U.K. framework to guide technology transfer

To expand the cooperation between India and the U.K. on sharing of advanced technology, the two countries are

discussing ways to devise a government-to-government framework to facilitate transfer of such technology

Key facts:

One of the specific areas of discussion under the Defence and International Security Partnership (DISP)

is to facilitate the transfer through a government-to-government frame work

Both the countries have agreed upon this in 2015 and will be taken up by the Defence Consultative

Group (DCG).

Defence reforms:

1. Design and develop these capabilities

2. To use the best of the Indian brain for this along with the expertise of their long-established

defence companies

3. To create new and advanced products