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Monthly Current Affairs

Magazine

September, 2017

The Most Loved & Trusted Magazine

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Banking, Financial & Industry related news

India, Switzerland sign two MoUs for technical cooperation in Railways

India and Switzerland on 31 August 2017 signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of Railways.

The two MoUs were signed between Ministry of Railways and Swiss Confederation after high-level talks between

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Doris Leuthard, President of Swiss Confederation during her visit to New

Delhi.

The MoU was signed between Ministry of Railways and Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and

Communications of the Swiss Confederation for technical cooperation in Rail Sector.

It was signed by Ashwani Lohani, Chairman Railway Board and Andreas Baum, Swiss Ambassador to India in the

presence of Indian Prime Minister and Swiss President.

The second MoU was signed between Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and Swiss Federal Institute of

Technology (ETH) Zurich.

It was signed by Sanjay Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) and

Prof. Sarah Springman, Rector of ETH Zurich.

PM Modi inaugurates annual conference ‘Rajaswa Gyan Sangam’ in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the annual conference, Rajaswa Gyan Sangam, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan,

New Delhi on 1 September 2017.

The conference, jointly organised by the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Central Board of Excise and Customs,

will be held from 1 to 2 September 2017. Modi inaugurated the function in the presence Union Finance Minister and

Ministers of State (Finance).

The Prime Minister addressed the tax administrators during the conference. The closing function would be conducted

on 2 September 2017.

The conference would host several Joint Sessions of the officers of the two Boards.

One of the plenary sessions will be addressed by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev on the first day. He would be speaking on

‘Inner Engineering – Technologies for Well Being’.

Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary would be addressing the joint session on the second day.

New Development Bank approves USD 1.4 billion loan for projects in India, China and Russia

The New Development Bank (NDB) in the last week of August 2017 approved USD 1.4 billion loans for sustainable

development projects in India, China and Russia.

The Board of Directors of the Bank approved four infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the three

countries.

The loans were approved ahead of the BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen city of China from 3 September to 5

September 2017.

Key highlights

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For India, the ADB approved USD 470 million loan for Madhya Pradesh's Multi-Village Rural Drinking Water Supply

Scheme Project.

The other loans approved included China's Hunan Green Area Watershed Environmental Development Project, which

would get two billion yuan to enhance flood control, and improve water quality in Xiang River watershed.

In addition, China's Jiangxi Industrial Low-Carbon Restructuring and Green Development Pilot Project will get a USD

200 million loan to promote energy conservation, resources recycling and pollutants reduction through technology

upgrade.

The Bank will also provide a USD 460 million loan to the Russian Federation for the development of infrastructure and

implementation of information technology systems of Russia's judicial system in Russia.

Five banks of BRICS nations sign agreement to establish credit lines

Five banks of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Bank Cooperation Mechanism have agreed to

establish credit lines in the national currencies and cooperate on credit ratings.

The agreement was signed ahead of the ninth edition of the BRICS Summit, which is underway in Xiamen, China. The

2017 summit, attended by leaders of the five countries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is centred on

the theme of ‘Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future’.

The summit will conclude on 5 September.

Five banks including Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), Vnesheconombank, Export-Import Bank of India, China

Development Bank and Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) signed the agreement to establish credit lines in the

national currencies.

The banks also signed a memorandum of cooperation on credit ratings.

The agreement on credit ratings reportedly enables the banks to share information about internal credit ratings and

rating assessment.

President Ram Nath Kovind laid foundation stone for Link-4 of SAUNI Scheme

President Ramnath Kovind laid the foundation stone for link – 4 of Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation (SAUNI)

Scheme in Rajkot district on 4 September 2017.

The project had been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister.

The project aims to fill up 115 major dams by diverting excess water of Sardar Sarovar dam across river Narmada, by

a web of pipeline network.

Swedish defence giant collaborates with Adani group for defence manufacturing

Swedish defence giant Saab and Indian conglomerate Adani group announced a collaboration in defence

manufacturing on 1 September 2017.

The collaboration, involving billions of dollars of investment, mainly eyes a contract for single- engine fighter jets for

the Indian Air Force.

The project would include design, development and production of Gripen jets for India, keeping in line with the Make

in India initiative.

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It would also include sharing of technologies of national importance with India.

The Union government is set to procure a fleet of single-engine fighters for the Indian Air Force.

The US defence firm Lockheed Martin is slated to be a major competitor for Saab for the deal.

BRICS Summit adopts documents on cooperation in areas of Economy and Trade, Innovation and Customs

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations on 4 September 2017 signed four documents that aim at

improving and broadening cooperation mechanism and promoting industrial and technical upgradation to enhance

economic complementarities.

The documents were signed with the hope to give a boost to trade ties between the five nations of the group.

Documents signed in the presence of BRICS Leaders during BRICS Summit - 2017 in Xiamen, China includes

1. BRICS Action Agenda on Economic and Trade Cooperation

2. BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation(2017-2020)

3. Strategic Framework of BRICS Customs Cooperation

4. Memorandum of Understanding between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on Strategic

Cooperation

These documents were signed during the summit on Action Agenda on Economic and Trade Cooperation, Innovation,

Customs Cooperation and MOU with Development Bank on Strategic Cooperation.

CIPAM-DIPP launches social media campaign to promote Geographical Indications

The Cell for IPR Promotions and Management (CIPAM) on 4 September 2017 launched a social media campaign to

promote Indian Geographical Indications (GIs).

The CIPAM comes under the aegis of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Union Ministry of

Commerce and Industry.

The campaign will be promoted with #LetsTalkIP which is an ongoing movement initiated by CIPAM to make more

people aware about the importance of Intellectual Property Rights.

The promotion of GIs is in line with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.

A Geographical Indication is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a

reputation that are due to that origin.

Country's first Hyperloop in AP: Amaravati to Vijayawada in 5 minutes

The Los Angeles-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to develop a ' superfast' short-distance transport facility between

Vijayawada and the state's upcoming capital, Amaravati.

The project will employ HTT's patented technology to bring down travel time to less than 5 minutes.

During the initial phase of the project, HTT will conduct a six-month long feasibility study from October. The firm will

subsequently introduce its Hyperloop Transportation System for the first time in India as the project enters Phase 2.

According to the state government, the project would take off from Amravati.

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RBI releases 2017 list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its 2017 list of the Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs). The list

identifies private sector lender HDFC Bank Ltd as a D-SIB. With this inclusion in the list, the HDFC has joined State Bank

of India (SBI) and ICICI Bank Ltd, which has been tagged as D-SIBs or too-big-to-fail for the consecutive third year.

Reports say that with such classification failure or collapse of these lenders can have a cascading impact on the entire

financial system and the economy of the country. SIBs are subjected to higher levels of supervision so as to prevent

disruption of financial services in the event of any failure.

In a statement, RBI has said, “The additional Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) requirement for D-SIBs has already been

phased-in from 1 April 2016, and will become fully effective from April 1, 2019. The additional CET1 requirement will

be in addition to the capital conservation buffer.”

Assam Government sets up Direct Benefit Transfer cell for implementation of DBT scheme

The state government of Assam has set up a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Cell for the implementation of DBT across

schemes in the country.

The purpose of setting up the cell is also to coordinate efforts at the state level in taking the DBT initiative forward

with immediate effect.

While the Chairman of the cell will be the Chief Secretary of Assam, its convenor would be Additional Chief Secretary/

Principal Secretary of the state’s finance department.

India, Myanmar sign 11 Agreements

India and Myanmar on 6 September 2017 signed eleven agreements following delegation-level talks headed by Indian

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

These 11 agreements were signed in a range of sectors including one on maritime security cooperation to further

strengthen their multifaceted partnership.

Highlights of the 11 Agreements

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Election Commission of India and Union Election of

Myanmar.

An MoU was signed on cooperation between Myanmar Press Council and the Press Council of India.

Both the sides signed an agreement for cultural exchange programme for the years 2017 to 2020.

Two MoUs were signed on establishment of the India-Myanmar Centre for Enhancement of IT Skill and the Myanmar

Institute of Information Technology (MIIT).

Two other MoUs were signed on medical products regulation and in the field of health and medicine.

Another MoU was signed on enhancing cooperation for upgrade of the Women’s Police Training Centre at Yamethin,

Myanmar.

The two sides also signed an agreement for sharing white shipping information to improve data sharing on non-

classified merchant navy ships or cargo ships.

An MoU on Maritime Security Cooperation was also signed.

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A Technical Agreement was signed between both the sides for providing Coastal Surveillance System.

Vistara, Japan Airlines sign MoU for commercial cooperation

Vistara and Japan Airlines today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an

extensive partnership that includes code share flights and frequent flyer partnership.

"This mutual understanding between Japan Airlines and Vistara will help the two airlines pursue significant

cooperation in the near future, such as codeshare, frequent flyer partnership as well as other operational

arrangements, allowing them to leverage each other's network, expertise and assets, subject to necessary approvals

from authorities," the airlines said in a release today.

BSNL signs MOU with Coriant to accelerate 5G growth in India

State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) entered into an agreement with Coriant to chart

a path for 5G and IoT in India. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between BSNL and Coriant for laying

the foundation for innovation in Network Architectures and Services Leveraging 5G, IoT, SDN/NFV, and Mobile Edge

Computing Technologies.

Under the terms of the MoU, Coriant and BSNL will cooperate to accelerate network architecture and service

innovation leveraging 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), SDN/NFV, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) technologies.

Google signs MoU for digital Gujarat

Gujarat government has signed an MoU with Google India towards actualizing the 'Digital Gujarat' movement under

'Digital India'.

The MoU was signed in presence of the chief minister, Gujarat's chief secretary J N Singh, and Google India Public

Policy Director Chetan Krishnaswamy. Principal secretaries of tourism, science and technology, labour and

employment, higher education and rural development departments were also present at the event.

Under the MoU Google will train small and medium scale entrepreneurs the use of digital platform for business

development under the 'Digital Unlocked' programme,and will provide 'cloud' facility up to $20,000 to recognized

startups.

NITI Aayog constitutes Expert Task Force on Employment & Exports

With an aim to create new jobs by enhancing India’s export, the NITI Aayog on 5 September 2017 constituted an Expert

Task Force. The task force will be chaired by the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Dr. Rajiv Kumar.

The task force that also includes Secretary Department of Commerce; Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and

Promotion among others have been asked to submit its report by November 2017.

The steps outlined by the task force to address this challenge of creating well-paid, formal sector jobs, include:

1. Proposing a comprehensive plan of action to generate employment and alleviate under-employment in both goods

and services sectors and low wages by boosting India’s exports in key labour-intensive industries

2. Recommending sector-specific policy interventions in key employment sectors

3. Recommending measures to enhance trade in services with high employment potential

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4. Identifying key macro economic factors constraining exports and suggesting methods to address these constraints

5. Assessing the effectiveness of existing schemes to promote exports

6. Addressing issues related to logistics, export credits and trade facilitation

RBI uses Currency Verification & Processing Machine for processing currency notes

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 10 September 2017 stated that it uses sophisticated Currency Verification &

Processing (CVPS) Machines for checking numerical accuracy and genuineness of the currency notes including

Specified Bank Notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 instead of counting machines.

As per RBI, the Currency Verification & Processing (CVPS) machines are way superior to the note counting machines.

With a view to augment the processing capacity, RBI uses these machines in two shifts and has also been using other

machines that are temporarily drawn from commercial banks after suitable modifications.

RBI is also exploring other options to augment processing capacity even further.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation to get Maharatna status

The Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) is all set to become a Maharatna company. The company is currently a

Navratna firm.

The decision to grant Maharatna status to BPCL was taken by a panel headed by the Cabinet secretary.

The Maharatna and Navaratna state-owned units operate in strategic fields such as petroleum, power supply, coal,

heavy engineering, transportation services and telecommunications.

As per the government rules, a firm is eligible for Maharatna status if it is already a listed Navratna firm, has an average

turnover at least Rs 25000 crore, net worth of Rs 15000 crore and an annual net profit after tax of Rs 5000 crore in the

last three years. In addition, the fim should have significant global operations.

At present, there are seven Maharatna companies. They are Bharat Heavy Electricals, Coal India, GAIL (India), Indian

Oil Corporation, NTPC, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Steel Authority of India.

Assam government to provide skill training to 30000 surrendered militants

The Assam government would be providing skill development training to around 30,000 surrendered militants.

The information was shared by the Mission Director of Assam Skill Development, A P Tiwari who said that the training

will also be extended to jail inmates.

Along with providing training to the surrendered militants, the Assam government would be training over 24000

Assamese youth under the Prime Minister Kaushal Vikash Yojna.

The Assam Skill Development Mission would be providing skill training in 40 sectors.

The training sessions would be starting by the end of September 2017.

The training centres would be set up at the Block level.

Government sets up online facility for effective resolution of foreign trade-related issues

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The Union government has set up an online service facility, Contact@DGFT, which can be used by importers and

exporters to resolve all foreign trade-related issues.

The information was shared through an official statement issued on 8 September 2017. According to the statement,

the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), which comes under Ministry of Commerce, has asked all exporters

and importers to use the system for resolution of all their matters.

The facility, which has been activated on the DGFT website, will enable traders to raise all matters related to the

Directorate or other agencies of the Centre and States.

The DGFT in a notice to all regional authorities, export promotion councils, commodity boards and members of trade

and industry confirmed the activation of the facility and said that best efforts will be made for expeditious resolution.

ICAR to undertake major research works on agriculture with World Bank fund

The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has decided to undertake major research works on agriculture with

the World Bank fund of Rs 1100 crore. The research work will be done in 2017.

The information on the research works to be undertaken by ICAR was given by Deputy Director General of the national

apex agricultural research body Narendra Singh Rathore.

Rathore informed this in the convocation function at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in

Chennai on 7 September 2017.

India, Belarus sign 10 pacts to expand cooperation

India and Belarus on 12 September 2017 signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding to expand cooperation in a range

of areas including oil and gas, youth affairs and sports, skill development and entrepreneurship, scientific and technical

cooperation, agricultural research and education and culture.

The pacts were signed following delegation level talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting

Belarus President Aleksander Grigoryevich Lukashenko in New Delhi.

Following is the list of 10 MoUs signed by the two nations:

1. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India and the

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.

2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of the

Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Education of the Government of the Republic of Belarus for

Cooperation in the Field of Vocational Education and Training.

3. Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the

National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

4. MoU between Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India and Belarusian State Agricultural Academy,

Gorki, Belarus for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education.

5. Protocol amending the Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare of the Republic of India

and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus signed on 16 April 2007.

6. Programme of cooperation between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Republic of

Belarus in the field of culture for 2018-2020.

7. MoU between M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas of the Republic of India and Belarusian State Concern of Oil and

Chemistry in the Oil and Gas Sector.

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8. Memorandum of Understanding between JSV "Belzarubezhstroy” and National Buildings Construction Corporation

Ltd.

9. Memorandum of Understanding between JSC Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) and Indian Potash Ltd (IPL).

10. Agreement on the implementation of MoU signed between OJSC Minsk Tractor Works and Kirloskar Oil Engines

Ltd. India in Pune.

India, Afghanistan exchange four pacts in areas including health, transport

India and Afghanistan on 11 September 2017 exchanged four pacts in areas of health, transport, space and new

development partnership. The agreements were exchanged after delegation level talks between the External Affairs

Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani in New Delhi.

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani was on a three-day visit to India. He was here to attend the 2nd meeting

of the Strategic Partnership Council between India and Afghanistan.

The bilateral documents which were signed and exchanged include

(a) Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic.

(b) Memorandum of Understanding for mutual cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical products regulation.

This MoU was signed and exchanged between the National Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory

Authority of Afghanistan and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Directorate General

of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

(c) The Orbit Frequency Coordination Agreement between India and Afghanistan on South Asia Satellite (SAS).

(d) Letters establishing the New Development Partnership and launching 116 High Impact Community

Development Projects.

In addition, the two nations agreed to expeditiously conclude the agreements/MoUs related to technical cooperation

on police training and development, as well as technical cooperation between railway authorities; mutual legal

assistance; and cooperation in the areas of food safety among others.

Union Government reconstitutes six Committees of Cabinet

The Union Government on 11 September 2017 reconstituted six Committees of the Cabinet after recent ministry

reshuffle.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and railway minister Piyush Goyal have been included in the Cabinet Committee

on Political Affairs (CCPA), reaffirming their elevation in the Union Cabinet.

Sitharaman and Goyal, along with petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have also been included as permanent

members of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

There are six Cabinet Committees:

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet: The Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It decides all higher

level appointments in the Cabinet Secretariat, Public enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions.

Cabinet Committee on Accommodation: The Committee is chaired by the Home Minister of India. It is responsible for

the allotment of accommodation for various top positions in the Government of India.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs: The Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It directs and

coordinates the governmental activities in the economic sphere.

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Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs: The Committee is chaired by the Home Minister of India. It looks after

the progress of government business in the Parliament.

Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs: The Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It deals with all policy

matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs. Of all the Cabinet Committees, it is the most powerful committee.

It is often described as a "Super-Cabinet".

Cabinet Committee on Security: The Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It looks into the matters of

defence expenditures and National Security.

FSSAI launches online platform FoSCoRIS for food inspection

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on 11 September 2017 launched ‘FoSCoRIS’, an online platform

to bring in transparency in food safety inspection and sampling.

FoSCoRIS platform will help eliminate discrepancy and will make food safety officers accountable for their inspection.

FoSCoRIS system will help in verifying compliance of food safety and hygiene standards by food businesses as per the

government norms.

It will bring together all key stakeholders including food businesses, food safety officers, designated officers, state food

safety commissioners.

It will help in sharing data related to inspection, sampling and test result by all officials seamlessly.

It will ease the process of sample collection by making it transparent and traceable and by controlling the quality of

compliances.

For using this platform, Food Safety Officers (FSOs) require a hand-held device with internet connectivity.

Commerce Ministry organised state startup conference to help budding entrepreneurs

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India organised the second State Startup

Conference on 12 September 2017 in New Delhi.

Inaugurated by the Minister of State, C.R. Choudhary, the event saw in attendance several senior dignitaries from

states, Union Territories, incubators, accelerators, funding agencies, VCs, angel investors and startups.

The conference was held mainly to deliberate on issues including incubation facilities and making regulations easier

for budding entrepreneurs.

Rs 600-cr rail training centre for bullet train to come up in Vadodara

The Rs 600-crore high-speed rail training centre for the first bullet train project will be set up in Vadodara, a senior

official of the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) said on Wednesday.

"This centre will come up on the five hectares of land inside the National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) here,"

NHSRC Managing Director Achal Khare told PTI.

"The training centre will have a sample track fitted with the overhead electrical systems to enable testing of bullet

trains that will run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route," said Khare.

According to the official, this centre is expected to become operational by December 2020.

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Union Cabinet approves introduction of Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Parliament

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 September 2017 approved the introduction of

the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Parliament. The Bill amends Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

The Amendment Bill calls for increasing the maximum limit of gratuity of employees in the private sector and in Public

Sector Undertakings or Autonomous Organizations under Government which are not covered under CCS (Pension)

Rules, at par with Central Government employees.

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons.

The main purpose of this Act is to provide social security to workmen after retirement, whether retirement is a result

of the rules of superannuation, or physical disablement..

It is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.

The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs 10 Lakh.

Union Cabinet approves release of 1 per cent Dearness Allowance to Government employees

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 September 2017 gave its approval for release

of additional 1 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to

pensioners with effect from 1 July 2017.

The release of the additional 1 per cent instalment of DA over the existing rate of 4 per cent of the Basic Pay or Pension

has been done to compensate for price rise.

This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central

Pay Commission.

With this, the combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief will

amount to be Rs 3068.26 crore per annum and Rs 2045.50 crore respectively in the financial year 2017-18.

CCEA approves implementation of Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund scheme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 12 September 2017 approved implementation of Dairy

Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) scheme with an outlay of Rs 10881 crore.

The Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund will be set up as a corpus of Rs 8004 crore with National Bank

for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

The scheme will be implemented during the period from 2017-18 to 2028-29.

Initiation and setting up of Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) at a total scheme outlay of

Rs 10881 crore.

Out of Rs 10881 crore, Rs 8004 crore will be loan from NABARD to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and

National Dairy Development Cooperation (NCDC), Rs 2001 crore will be contributed by end borrowers, Rs 12 crore will

be NDDB/NCDC‘s share and Rs 864 crore will be contributed by DADF for meeting interest subvention.

NABARD will disburse Rs 2004 Cr, Rs 3006 Cr and Rs 2994 Cr during the year 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20

respectively.

Allocation of Rs 864 Crore for meeting interest subvention will be released to NABARD over a period of 12 years

covering the entire loan repayment period from 2017-18 to 2028-29.

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India to step up cooperation with Egypt in textiles sector

India on 12 September 2017 vowed to step up its collaboration with Egypt in the textiles sector.

The information was shared by India's Ambassador to Egypt, Sanjay Bhattacharyya just ahead of the Fashion and Tex

Exhibition, which opened in Cairo the same day.

CCEA approves survey of Un-appraised Areas of Sedimentary Basins

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 12 September 2017 gave green signal for a significant project

to acquire 48243 Line Kilometer (LKM) 2D seismic data for appraisal of Indian sedimentary basins.

The survey project will help in increasing the investments in domestic production of oil and gas.

The project will be implemented by National Oil Companies (NOCs). They are Oil India Limited (OIL) and Oil and Natural

Gas Corporation (ONGC).

The OIL will conduct survey in North - Eastern States. The remaining area will be covered by ONGC.

The Survey work will be carried out in 24 States.

IndusInd Bank secures $200 mn loan from ADB for microlending

IndusInd Bank has secured up to $200 million (about Rs. 1,282 crore) loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB) to

serve low-income women borrowers in rural areas.

The seven-year senior loan will go towards IndusInd Bank’s micro-finance activities, the private players said in a

statement.

The loan pact was inked here by Director of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department, Christine Engstrom, IndusInd

Bank chief financial officer S Zaregaonkar, and Head of IndusInd Bank’s Global Markets Group, Arun Khurana.

ICICI Bank launches cashback scheme for hoam loan borrowers till Nov 30

To woo borrowers in this ongoing festive season, ICICI Bank has launched cashback scheme for those availing home

loan till November 30.

Under the scheme, customers who avail a new home loan or transfer their existing home loan to the bank can get

cashback of 20 per cent up to a limit of Rs 10,000, ICICI Bank said in a statement.

The cash back amount is based on minimum spend of Rs 30,000 from the customer's ICICI Bank credit or debit card, it

said.

This offer is valid from September 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017.

Amazon, Bank of Baroda join hands to offer micro loans at 10.45-11.5% interest

E-commerce player Amazon on Friday said it has tied up with state-run lender Bank of Baroda to offer micro loans to

its sellers.

The loans will be offered on invite-only basis to the marketplace sellers.

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The programme was piloted by Amazon in July this year in association with the bank.

The loans will be extended in the range of Rs one lakh to Rs 25 lakh at an annual interest rates between 10.45 and 11.5

per cent.

India, Japan sign 15 agreements for enhancing bilateral cooperation

India and Japan on 14 September 2017 signed 15 agreements for enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas including

civil aviation, trade, science and technology, and skill development.

Among various agreements, both the sides exchanged RoD (Record of Discussions) on civil aviation cooperation with

respect to open sky. With this agreement, Indian and Japanese carriers can now undertake unlimited number of flights

to the selected cities of each other's countries.

The agreements were signed during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India.

Highlights of the MoUs & Agreements

1. MOC between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Cabinet Office of Japan: It aims to cooperate and

collaborate in the field of disaster risk reduction and to share the experiences, knowledge and policies on

disaster prevention.

2. MoC in the field of Japanese Language Education in India: It calls for strengthening bilateral relations and

cooperation in the field of Japanese language education in India.

3. India Japan Act East Forum: It aims to enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in the North

Eastern Region of India in an efficient and effective manner.

4. Arrangement between India Post and Japan Post for the Implementation of Cool EMS service: It calls for

implementing the commercial arrangement of "Cool EMS” service through which fresh food can be sent from

Japan to India in cool boxes for the Japanese expatriates in India.

5. India-Japan Investment Promotion Road map between DIPP and METI: It facilitates and accelerates the

Japanese investments in India.

6. MOC between METI and Gujarat on ‘Japan-India special programme for Make In India’: It calls for cooperation

in infrastructure development programmes in the Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj region.

7. Exchange of RoD on Civil Aviation Cooperation (Open Sky): It opens skies between India and Japan i.e. Indian

and Japanese carriers can mount now unlimited number of flights to the selected cities of each other’s

countries.

8. Agreement for International joint exchange programme between interdisciplinary theoretical and

mathematical sciences programme (iTHEMS), RIKEN and National Centres for Biological Sciences (Simons-

NCBS): It aims to establish a Joint Exchange Program to identify and foster talented young scientists from both

the countries to collaborate in the field of theoretical biology.

9. Joint Research Contract between National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology of Japan and

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of India: It calls for conducting joint research and to establish an

International Centre named as "DBT-AIST International Centre for Translational & Environmental Research

(DAICENTER) at AIST, Japan.

10. MOU Between DBT and National Institute of Advanced Science & Technology (AIST): It aims to promote

research collaboration between DBT Research Institutes and AIST in the field of Life Science and Biotechnology

11. MoU on International Academic and Sports Exchange between Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical

Education and Nippon Sports Science University, Japan (NSSU): It will facilitate and deepen international

education cooperation and exchanges between both the institutions.

12. MoU on International Academic and Sports Exchange between Sports Authority of India and Nippon Sports

Science University, Japan (NSSU): It will facilitate and deepen international education cooperation and

exchanges between both Sports Authority of India and Nippon Sport Science University , Japan.

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13. LETTER OF INTENT between Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) and University of

Tsukuba, Japan: It will strengthen strategic collaboration, joint research programme and exchanges between

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, India and University of Tsukuba, Japan

14. LETTER OF INTENT between Sports Authority of India and University of Tsukuba, Japan: It will strengthen

strategic collaboration, joint research programme and exchanges between University of Tsukuba, Japan and

Sports Authority of India

15. MoU between RIS and IDE-JETRO for promotion of Cooperation in Research Related Activities: It will promote

institutional cooperation between RIS and IDE-JETRO to strengthen the capacity of research and effectiveness

of dissemination of research findings

Ministry of Corporate Affairs and CBDT inks MoU for automatic and regular exchange of information

The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in September 2017 concluded

a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for data exchange.

The MoU takes forward the initiative launched by the Union Government to curb the menace of shell companies,

money laundering and black money in the country and prevent misuse of corporate structure by shell companies for

various illegal purposes.

The MoU will facilitate the sharing of data and information between CBDT and MCA on an automatic and regular basis.

It will enable sharing of specific information such as Permanent Account Number (PAN) data in respect of corporates,

Income Tax returns (ITRs) of corporates, financial statements filed with the Registrar by corporates, returns of

allotment of shares, audit reports and statements of financial transactions (SFT) received from banks relating to

corporates.

Arun Jaitley launches Google’s digital payment app 'Tez'

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 18 September 2017 launched Google’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based digital

payment service called ‘Tez’ in New Delhi.

With this move, the search giant has become the latest international giant to enter the fast-growing digital payments

space in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Arun Jaitley said, Google team saw great potential in the remonetisation period after the

demonetization. The minister stated that the need for finding an alternative to cash was never at centre stage in India's

economic agenda.

He further expressed confidence that what had started as a compulsion for digitisation post-demonetisation will soon

turn into convenience with the launch of Tez.

The new digital payments app is expected to make a major change in the digital payments landscape in India.

It would support several local languages including Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.

The Google payment App is powered by UPI, a payments protocol built by the Government-backed National Payments

Corporation of India (NPCI).

India exempts import duty on goods for FIFA U17 World Cup

The Union government has exempted import duty on a wide range of goods and sports items for the upcoming FIFA

U-17 World Cup India.

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The government in an official notification stated, “All sports goods, sports equipment and sports requisites, fitness

equipment, team uniform/clothing, spares, accessories and consumables of the same will be exempt from the whole

of the duty of customs leviable subject to certain conditions”.

Some other items that have been exempted from the import duty include:

Doping control equipment

First aid kits

Satellite phones/GPS

Dining/kitchen items

Office consumables,

Broadcast equipment and supplies

The mentioned goods will also be exempt from the integrated tax levied under the GST.

Assam to set up well-equipped skill city with 10000 training seats

The Assam state government has announced setting up of a well-equipped skill city with a capacity of 10000 training

seats in the state.

The information was shared by AP Tiwari, the Mission Director of Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM). Tiwari

stated that the government would be getting the support of a Singapore based premier institute for the mission.

The mission will set up skill training centres at block levels.

Under the programme, 30000 former militants will be given skill development training.

The ceasefire camps that house the surrendered militants currently will be converted into production centres.

Allahabad Bank launches savings bank account empowering women with AllBank Shakti

Allahabad Bank, a premier nationalized Bank of the country, today launched a unique Womens’ centric savings bank

account, AllBank Shakti, from its Headquarters at Kolkata, in the presence of MD & CEO, Executive Directors and other

officials of the Bank.

On this occasion the MD & CEO Usha Ananthasubramania reiterated Bank’s commitment, towards the cause of Nation

Building, through empowerment of women.

Prominent personalities, drawn from different sections of the society were present on this occasion alongwith other

women customers of the Bank. Welcome kits of AllBank Shakti were delivered to the women customers who came

from the different Branches of the Bank.

Union Minister to inaugurate first ‘Pension Adalat’

Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER),

PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, would be inaugurating the first ‘Pension Adalat’ in Delhi on 20

September 2017.

The Minister would also be awarding the Pensioners for their outstanding contribution towards ‘Anubhav’ – a platform

for retiring employees for sharing their experience of working with the Government.

The Minister would also be launching a mobile app that has been created to avail the services of the Pensioners’ Portal,

marking a clear shift from e-governance to m-governance.

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RBI notifies P2P lending businesses as NBFCs

Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platforms will be treated as non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and thus regulated

by the RBI, the central bank said in a notification.

P2P lending is a form of crowd-funding used to raise loans which are paid back with interest. It can be defined as the

use of an online platform that matches lenders with borrowers in order to provide unsecured loans.

"The Reserve Bank of India...Specifies a non-banking institution that carries on 'the business of a peer to peer lending

platform' to be an NBFC," the notification said.

Tata Steel, Thyssenkrupp sign MoU for European Steel JV

Tata Steel and German firm Thyssenkrupp inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to combine their European

steel operations in a 50-50 joint venture, creating the continent's No.2 steelmaker after ArcelorMittal.

The new company, to be named Thyssenkrupp Tata Steel, would be based in or near Amsterdam, Thyssenkrupp said

in a statement.

The deal entails combining Tata's plants in the Netherlands and the UK with Thyssenkrupp's German assets and would

be managed through a lean holding company based in the Netherlands. This entity will rival Europe's top producer,

ArcelorMittal.

Cabinet approves additional investment towards supplementary nutrition for Anganwadi children

The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 September 2017

approved the proposal for increase of cost norms for supplementary nutrition provided in Anganwadis and for out of

school adolescent girls under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

The decision follows the move by the Government to provide cash benefits to pregnant and lactating mothers under

the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and is part of an intensive effort to improve the nutritional status of

women and children.

Under the ICDS, children between 6 months to 3 years are entitled to a morning snack as well as a hot-cooked meal at

an Anganwadi centre, while pregnant women, lactating mothers and severely malnourished children, who can't walk

to the centre, are entitled to take home ration.

Cabinet approves extension of time period of Udaan Scheme in J& K

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 September 2017 approved Home Ministry’s

proposal for extension of the time period of the "Special Industry Initiative for J&K" - Udaan scheme till 31 December

2018 without any modification and cost escalation.

The time period of Udaan was initially up to 2016-17. The main objective of the scheme is to provide exposure to the

youth of Jammu & Kashmir to the best of corporate India and corporate India to the rich talent pool available in the

state.

Till now, 109 leading Corporates have partnered with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under UDAAN

with a commitment to train youth from J & K in sectors including Organized Retail, Banking, Financial Services, IT,

Infrastructure and Hospitality.

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Union Cabinet approves merger of 17 Government Presses into 5 units

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 September 2017 approved merger and

modernization of 17 Government of India Presses (GIPs) and into 5 units.

These modernised 5 Government press units will be located at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Minto Road and Mayapuri in Delhi;

Nashik, Maharashtra and at Temple Street of Kolkata, West Bengal.

These 5 Presses will be redeveloped and modernised by monetisation of their surplus land.

Land measuring 468.08 acres of the other merged Presses will be given to Land & Development Office, Ministry of

Urban Development.

PM Narendra Modi launches 'Saubhagya' scheme

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana-Saubhagya’ on 25

September 2017 in New Delhi to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Listed on the agenda of the Cabinet meeting held last week, the scheme is expected to cover all rural families after

expected electrification of all villages by the end of 2017.

Aim & Objective

The Yojana mainly aims to provide last mile power connectivity to all rural and urban households.

The scheme would provide subsidy on electrical equipments such as transformers, meters and wires.

The Yojana aims to re-enforce the centre’s target of achieving power for all.

Impact

The benefit of this Yojana is expected to reach villages, especially the rural area of the country by the end of

2017.

The scheme is expected to provide all the villages with equal benefits.

With electric connection in the villages, the rural sector is expected to receive more benefits.

The scheme would also further revitalise the ‘Digital India’ vision and there will be penetration of more

technology in the remote areas of the country.

SBI launches chatbot "SIA" to help customers in banking activities

Artificial intelligence banking platform Payjo today said it has launched an AI-powered chat assistant for State Bank of

India to addresses customer enquiries.

The chat assistant, known as SBI Intelligent Assistant, or SIA, will help customers with everyday banking tasks just like

a bank representative, the company said in a statement.

"SIA is a revolution in the banking industry. It is set to disrupt the way banks and customers interact," Payjo founder

and CEO Srinivas Njay said.

SBI revises service charges on maintaining monthly average balance

State Bank of India (SBI) has reviewed the requirement of maintaining Monthly Average Balance (MAB) and the charges

for non-maintenance of MAB. In this context, SBI would like to state that financial inclusion including JAN DHAN

Accounts have never been subject to any charges.

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In respect of the rest, it has now been decided to exempt the pensioners, beneficiaries of social benefits from the

Government and accounts of Minors. Therefore, this is in addition to the already exempted categories under PMJDY

accounts and Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBD).

The Bank has also decided to treat the metro and urban centres in the same category and the requirement of MAB in

metro centres stands reduced to Rs 3,000.

PM forms Economic Advisory Council; Bibek Debroy appointed chairman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today constituted Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM), which will focus on

structural reforms.

NITI Aayog's Bibek Debroy has been appointed as its chairman.

Surjit Bhalla, Rathin Roy, Aashima Goyal and Ratan Watal will be part-time members of EAC-PM.

Terms of reference of the EAC would be as follows:

1) Analyse any issue, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the PM and advising him theron.

2) Addressing issues of macro-economic importance and presenting views thereon to the PM.

3) Attending to any other task as may be desired by the PM from time to time.

Union Government announces new PPP Policy for Affordable Housing

The Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on 21 September 2017 announced a new PPP Policy

for Affordable Housing that allows extending central assistance of up to Rs 2.50 lakh for each house to be built by

private builders even on private lands.

The policy seeks to assign risks among the government, developers and financial institutions and to those who can

manage them the best besides leveraging underutilized and un-utilized private and public lands towards meeting the

Housing for All target by 2022.

The two PPP models for private investments in affordable housing on private lands include:

Central assistance of about Rs 2.50 lakh per each house as interest subsidy on bank loans as upfront payment under

the Credit Linked Subsidy Component (CLSS) component of Pradhan Mantri Awas yojana (Urban).

Central assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh per each house to be built on private lands would be provided in case the

beneficiaries do not intend to take bank loans.

India to collaborate with Russia for Bangladesh nuclear power plant

India announced a collaboration with Russia on 20 September 2017 to build a nuclear plant in Bangladesh.

The move is the first initiative under the Indo-Russia deal to undertake atomic energy projects in the third-world

nations. It will also be India's first atomic energy venture abroad.

The Roppur project, which is being built near Dhaka, will be Bangladesh's first atomic energy project.

After commissioning of two units, each with a capacity of 1200 MWs, Bangladesh will be the third South Asian country

after India and Pakistan to harness energy from atomic fission.

IDBI Bank launches ‘Project Nishchay’ for turnaround

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IDBI Bank on Tuesday said it has launched ‘Project Nishchay’ in partnership with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

to accelerate its turnaround programme and improve financial performance.

The project will be led by senior management at IDBI Bank along with BCG, the public sector bank said in a statement.

IDBI Bank Managing Director and CEO Mahesh Kumar Jain said “BCG will assist us to identify areas for cost containment

and revenue maximization leading to sustainable growth and profitability of the Bank.

Flipkart acquires F1 Info Solutions

E-commerce major Flipkart on Tuesday said it has acquired mobiles and IT products repair services company, F1 Info

Solutions for an undisclosed amount.

Established in 2012, F1 Info Solutions has 158 owned and franchised centres and close to 1,000 employees. It handles

more than 50,000 service calls every month.

F1 is a service partner of brands such as Apple, Samsung, HP, Lenovo, Sony and Asus, among others.

The acquisition will significantly expand Flipkart’s offerings to the entire lifecycle of mobiles, IT products and consumer

electronics, from sales to after sales to repair services, Flipkart said in a statement.

Government Constitutes High Level Forum on 5G India 2020

Government of India has constituted High Level 5G India 2020 Forum to take on the global super powers. This forum

is constituted with three Secretaries from different ministries or department Telecom, Meity and DST. It also

comprising of renowned experts like Mr Gururaj Deshpande - Chairman of Sycamore Networks, Sandstone, USA; Dr.

A. Paulraj, Professor Emeritus, Stanford University, USA, Indian industry led by CEOs of ICT industry, Telecom Standard

Development Organisation of India (TSDSI), Professors from IIT Madras, IIT Mumbai, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IISc

Bengaluru, IT industry and stakeholders from industry associations.

India is at the cusp of a next generation of wireless of remote technology 5G. 5G has been imagined as an foundation

for eptending the capability of the Networked Society. A computerized of digital transformation achieved through the

power of connectivity is occurring in practically every industry.

ICICI Bank launches 1% 'cashback' home loans due to excess liquidity

Amidst excess liquidity, the largest private sector lender ICICI Bank on Thursday launched a mortgage product assuring

borrowers a 1 per cent cash back on their monthly instalment payment.

The product, which comes amid a long period of excess liquidity, sluggishness in overall credit pick-up and fears of a

slowdown in the residential property market, can help a borrower get up to 11 per cent of the principal amount in a

30-year loan period.

The bank has launched two more schemes -- a 20 per cent cash back for spends by its debit and credit card customers

up to a maximum of Rs 10,000, and a 20 per cent step-up repayment -- which can be availed of alongside, executive

director Anup Bagchi said.

However, the bank said the offer is only for new home loan borrowers. The bank also did not say how much liquidity

it is sitting on.

Government announces key Decisions for transforming Indian Railway

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The Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal announced various decisions taken by Ministry of Railways for Transformation

of Indian Railways on 28thSeptember, 2017 in Rail Bhavan. He said that Railways is committed to ensuring high

standards of service, speed and safety for Indian passangers and also ensuring contribution to national development.

The ministry has taken several key decisions which includes passenger safety, Modern Technology, energy efficiency,

upgrading of health and education facilities etc.

1. Highest priority to passenger safety

Priority to safety, stress on field inspections by officers, eliminate the 5,000 unmanned crossings in a time-bound

manner, by next year target is to shift to LHB coaches from ICF coaches, Provision of CCTV cameras in stations and

coaches to enhance security for women and senior citizen, electronic interlocking of signals, revamping the existing

signalling system and use of MTRC (Mobile Train Radio Communication) and TPWS (Train Protection & Warning

System).

2. Transforming through technology

Use of mobile apps for monitoring the passenger services, high speed wi-fi connectivity in stations and coaches,

increase the speed of around 700 trains, GPS based tracking of rail movement.

3. Energy efficiency

A complete electrification of Indian railways by the next 4-5 years. This move will lead to save Rs. 10,000 cr. To ensure

100% LED lighting and energy efficient appliances like fans, ACs etc. In trains, coaches, stations, office buildings and

residential colonies in a given time.

4. Faster Redevelopment of stations

Planning to modernise about 20 stations in an efficient manner with superior infrastructure and passenger facilities

including eateries, hotels, shopping, multimodal transport hub, disabled friendly, security etc. by December 2018

5. Railway Stations as Multi-utility centres

Many stations that receive very few trains in a day are proposed to be used as Multi-utility centres for activities like

yoga centres, skilling, educational purposes etc.

6. Focus on welfare of field staff

Improving the overall working conditions of Group D employee. For example, gang-men, whose work is to ensure track

safety, and who have to walk around 15-16 kms on an average in a particular day will be provided with comfortable

uniforms and better quality shoes. Their living quarters (Gang huts) too will be improved.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belarus in oil and gas sector

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 September 2017 gave its ex-post facto approval for a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Belarus in the oil and gas sector.

The agreement was signed on 12 September 2017 following delegation-level talks between Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and visiting Belarus President Aleksander Grigoryevich Lukashenko in New Delhi.

The MoU is one among the ten agreements signed between the two nations. It was signed between M/o Petroleum

& Natural Gas of the Republic of India and Belarusian State Concern of Oil and Chemistry.

Cabinet approves pacts by EXIM Bank under BRICS mechanism

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union Cabinet has given its nod for the signing of Interbank Local Currency Credit

Line Agreement (ILCCLA) and (ii) Cooperation Memorandum Relating to Credit Ratings by Exim Bank with participating

member banks under BRICS Mechanism.

However, both these agreements and the MoUs are umbrella pacts, and therefore, non-binding on partners, the Board

of Directors of Exim Bank has been given authorization to negotiate and sign any individual contracts and

commitments within their framework.

Impact of the pact

The Agreements signed by EXIM will promote multilateral interaction within the BRICS nations in the area of mutual

interest. It will also deepen economic and political relations with BRICS nations.

This agreement signed by Exim Bank will in the international platform along with large development finance

institutions, like VEB, CDS and BNDES.

Union Government launches Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan on 26 September 2017 launched

the Web Portal of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) & Electronic Negotiable Warehouse

Receipt (e-NWR) System in New Delhi.

While launching the system, Paswan appreciated the initiatives taken by the WDRA in simplifying the Warehouse

Registration Rules, digitizing the entire process of registration, monitoring and surveillance as well as creation and

management of Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (NWRs) in electronic form through two repositories.

The e-NWRs would be immune from any tempering, mutilation, fudging, loss or damage and with no possibility of any

multiple financing.

Kandla Port renamed as Deendayal Port

The Ministry of Shipping has issued a notice renaming Kandla Port Trust as Deendayal Port Trust with effect from 25th

of September, 2017.

Kandla Port, situated on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, is one of the twelve major ports in the nation. According to the

Ministry's notice, the Central Government, in exercise of power presented on it under Indian Ports Act, 1908, made

the correction to rechristened "Kandla" with "Deendayal".

While introducing different undertakings at Kandla Port in May this year, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had given

the proposal for renaming of Kandla Port after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, who fought for the upliftment of poor

people and weaker segments of society.

News related to India & states

Entire Assam declared as ‘disturbed area’ under AFSPA for six months

The Assam Government on 1 September 2017 declared the entire state as “disturbed area” for six months beginning

1 September 2017 under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).

This is the first time in 27 years that the state government took call on AFSPA and extended the term of the Act.

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The declaration was made after the state government assessed the present law and order situation in the state which

has continued to be a matter of concern due to some violent incidents by underground outfits.

Nitin Gadkari announces formation of task force for Namami Gange’s speedy implementation

Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who assumed additional charge of water resources on 4 September 2017, has announced

the formation of an inter-ministerial task force for speedy implementation of the Centre’s Namami Gange mission.

Along with this, the Minister announced that the Water Resources Ministry would come out with a detailed schedule

on achieving various targets under the mission in a time-bound and transparent manner within a week.

Further, Gadkari praised former Water Resources minister Uma Bharti for working hard and doing all the ground work

towards cleaning the river in the past three years and said he would try to see that the ministry attained all the goals

she had set.

Union Health Ministry launches two new contraceptives Antara and Chhaya

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 5 September 2017 launched two new contraceptives- an injectable

contraceptive MPA under the ‘Antara’ programme and a contraceptive pill ‘Chhaya’ in the public health system to

expand the basket of contraceptive choices for couples.

These contraceptives have been launched in 10 states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,

Rajasthan, Karnataka, Haryana, West Bengal, Odisha and Goa.

The Antara and Chhaya contraceptives are presently available for free in Medical Colleges and District Hospitals.

These contraceptives are safe and highly effective. The ‘Antara’ injectable is effective for three months and the

‘Chayya’ pill is effective for one week.

First batch of 1000 E-rickshaws 'SmartE' launched in Gurugram

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on 4 September 2017 launched a fleet of first batch of

1000 E-rickshaws from Huda City Centre metro station in Gurugram.

The e-rickshaw fleet will provide cost effective and pollution free substitute in transport system of Gurugram along

with generating employment opportunities for marginalised youth.

NITI Aayog launches the National Nutrition Strategy

To make sure that malnutrition (Kuposhan) bids a good bye to India, NITI Aayog on 5 September 2017 launched the

National Nutrition Strategy aimed at Kuposhan Mukt Bharat. Under the strategy, the problem of malnutrition will be

eradicated in a phased manner.

The strategy intends at bringing nutrition to the center-stage of the National Development Agenda. The strategy was

launched jointly by the leader of the Green Revolution, Dr. M S Swaminathan, Padma Shri H Sudarshan and Vice

Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr. Rajiv Kumar and Member Dr. Vinod Paul in New Delhi.

The National Nutrition Strategy was formulated through an extensive consultative process and lays down a roadmap

for effective action, among both implementers and practitioners, in achieving our nutrition objectives.

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Assam signs MoU with Google to boost Internet connectivity

The Assam government on Thursday signed a MoU with Google India to take Internet connectivity to the remotest

part of the north-eastern state.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the government would work to provide Internet connections to 26,000

villages and 1,500 tea garden areas in Assam under the MoU and thus increase digital literacy.

Information Technology Secretary Nitin Khare and Goodle India Country Head (Policy) Chetan Krishnaswami signed

the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Sonowal.

India and Sri Lanka begin Joint Naval Exercise SLINEX 2017 at Visakhapatnam

Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy on 7 September 2017 began the 2017 Sri Lanka-India Exercise (SLINEX) at

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The exercise will conclude on till 14 September 2017.

SLINEX 17 aims at reinforce strong neighbourly ties between both countries underscored by extensive maritime

interaction and improved understanding.

SLINEX 2017 focuses on fleet work, seamanship, communication, replenishment at sea, Visit Board Search and Seize

(VBSS) operations as well as helicopter operations.

Union Government launches DIKSHA Portal for teachers

The Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development (HRD) on 5 September 2017 launched DIKSHA Portal

(diksha.gov.in) for providing digital platform to teachers for making their lifestyle more digital.

DIKSHA will enable, accelerate and amplify solutions in the realm of teacher education.

DIKSHA is built considering the whole life cycle of teacher beginning from the time when they enrol in Teacher

Education Institutes (TEIs) to the time they retire as teachers.

States, government bodies and even private organisations can integrate DIKSHA into their respective teacher

initiatives based on their goals, needs and capabilities.

Home Ministry extends financial powers of chiefs of CRPF, BSF

The Ministry of Home Affairs has enhanced the financial powers of the Chiefs of central armed police forces like CRPF

and BSF and other central agencies, empowering them to spend up to Rs 15 Cr for executing major projects and Rs 1

Cr for minor works including repairing of residential buildings.

The director generals of CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, Assam Rifles and National Investigation Agency and the director of

Intelligence Bureau will also be able to exercise the same enhanced financial powers. The amount sanctioned for major

projects has gone up to Rs 15 Cr from Rs 10 Cr previously.

The major projects include construction of buildings and purchase of vehicles among others.

The fund for minor projects has also been increased to Rs 1 Cr from Rs 50 lakh previously. The minor works include

petty repairs and administrative expenditure.

Gujarat Chief Minister flags off 'Narmada Mahotsav Yatra'

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The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani flagged off statewide ‘Narmada Mahotsav Yatra’ from Surendranagar

district on 6 September 2017, as part of a two-week celebration to mark the completion of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the

Narmada River.

The main aim of the Yatra is to create awareness about the importance of increased water supply from Narmada canal-

based projects in different parts of the state.

While Rupani flagged off a chariot in Surendranagar, other vehicles carrying statues of `Maa Narmada' were flagged

off from other parts of the state.

According to an official statement, 84 `Narmada Raths' or `chariots' would travel across the state in these two weeks

to spread awareness about the importance of the project and to depict the achievements of the state’s Agriculture

and Veterinary Departments.

Mother Teresa declared as co-patron of Archdiocese of Calcutta

Saint Teresa, also known as Mother Teresa, was on 6 September 2017 declared the as the co-patron of the Roman

Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta, 131 years after St Francis Xavier was declared as first patron.

The declaration was made by Vicar General, Archdiocese of Calcutta in the presence of the Vatican's ambassador to

India Giambattista Diquattro, bishops from across the state and nuns of the Missionaries of Charity which was founded

by Mother Teresa in 1950 within Archdiocese of Calcutta.

The decision was taken to commemorate the first anniversary of St Teresa's canonisation which was held on 4

September 2016.

DRDO successfully test-fires 3rd Generation Anti Tank Guided Missile NAG

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 9 September 2017 successfully test fired 3rd

generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) 'Nag'.

The missile was tested twice against two different targets in the ranges of Rajasthan and it successfully hit both the

targets under different conditions with very high accuracy as desired.

With this second missile test, the complete functionality of Nag missile along with launcher system NAMICA has been

established. The first successful flight test of NAG missile was carried out in June 2017.

Indo-US joint military training Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2017

Indo-US joint military training 'Exercise Yudh Abhyas - 2017' will be conducted at Joint Base Lewis McChord,

Washington, USA from 14 to 27 September 2017 as a part of the ongoing defence cooperation between India and the

United States (US).

This will be the 13th edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas that is hosted alternately between the two countries.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest joint military training and defence corporation programme between India

and US.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of both countries to train in an integrated

manner at Battalion level with joint planning at Brigade level.

Gujarat state, GCMMF, Dairies sign MoU to prevent malnutrition among Anganwadi children

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The Women & Child Welfare Department of the Gujarat Government, Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)

and three leading dairies have signed tripartite MOU to save the children of Anganwadi from malnutrition.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar. The women and child

welfare state minister Nirmalaben Waghwani, Chief Secretary J N Singh, Chairman of the milk marketing federation

and Managing Directors of Banas, Sumul and Amul dairies and other senior officials were also present at the occasion.

The district dairies in cooperation with GCMMF would be providing nutritive food to more than 42 lakh children of

53029 Anganwadies, pregnant-mothers, foster mothers and young girls under the ‘Take Home Ration’ scheme.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flags-off Navika Sagar Parikrama from Panaji

Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Defence Minister, on 10 September 2017 flagged-off the Navika Sagar Parikrama from

Panaji.

The Navika Sagar Parikrama is a project wherein a team of women officers of the Indian Navy will go around the globe

on an Indian-built sail boat Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini (INSV Tarini).

It is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew. The crew will attempt to circumnavigate

the globe on Indian Navy’s sailing vessel INSV Tarini.

The crew is expected to return to Goa in April 2018, on completion of the voyage.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Morocco in the field of health

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 September 2017 approved the signing of a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Morocco on cooperation in the field of health.

Following areas of cooperation are covered under the MoU:

1. Non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

2. Drug Regulation and Pharmaceutical quality control.

3. Communicable Diseases.

4. Maternal, child and neonatal health.

5. Hospital twinning for exchange of good practices.

6. Training in administration and management of health services and Hospitals.

India’s first advanced Homoeopathy Virology lab inaugurated in Kolkata

Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge), on 12 September 2017 inaugurated

India’s first State of art virology laboratory at Dr. Anjali Chatterjee Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy in

Kolkata, West Bengal.

The laboratory has been established to develop new drugs and technologies in homoeopathy to combat emerging

challenges of viral diseases.

The laboratory is established at a cost of Rs. 8 crore is the only one in India for conducting basic and fundamental

research in Homoeopathy for viral diseases like influenza, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and swine flu.

Minister of State for Home Affairs to inaugurate Conference on Women Prison Officers

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The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju would be inaugurating a two-day National Conference on

‘Uniformed Women in Prison Administration’ on 14 September 2017.

The conference is being organised for women officers of the rank of Jailors to Deputy Superintendents of Prisons. It

would include panel discussions, deliberations and syndicate discussions.

The discussions would be on four main themes:

Are Woman Prison Officers getting mainstream duties?

Difficulties in balancing family and work environment of Women Prison Officers.

Training needs of Woman Prison Officers and Correctional Staff

Is there a need for a change of uniform for Woman Prison Officers?

All the syndicates would be making presentations based on their interactive session with different state prison officers,

academicians, representatives from NGOs and students.

The presentations would be followed by an open house interaction, in which participants will be encouraged to

interact and share their problems, ideas and experiences in connection with their day-to- day work in prisons as well

as dealing with prison inmates.

Union Government launches Operation Insaniyat to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

The Union Ministry of External Affairs on 14 September 2017 launched Operation Insaniyat in Bangladesh to help

Rohingya refugees.

The Operation was launched in response to the humanitarian crisis being faced on account of the large influx of

refugees into Bangladesh.

Under Operation Insaniyat, India will distribute relief material consisting of items required urgently by the affected

people. These materials are rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready to eat noodles, biscuits, mosquito nets etc.

The relief material will be delivered in multiple consignments.

Union Government to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees

The Government of India in September 2017 has decided to grant Indian citizenship to nearly one lakh Chakma and

Hajong refugees, who came from the erstwhile East Pakistan five decades ago.

The Chakma and Hajong refugees currently live in camps in the Northeast India.

The move came following an order of the Supreme Court, which in 2015 had directed the Union Government to grant

citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees, mostly staying in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Chakmas are an ethnic group scattered in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and West

Bengal of India and in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

Indian Railways permits m-Aadhaar as ID proof for travellers

Indian Railways on 13 September 2017 permitted passengers to show m-Aadhaar, digital version of the Aadhaar card,

as proof of identity in any reserved class.

For the purpose of showing Identity proof, a passenger has to open the app and enter his/her password to show the

card.

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Passengers will be allowed to undertake the train journey in any reserved class only when they will show m-Aadhaar

on their mobile after entering the password.

The m-Aadhaar is a mobile app launched by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on which a person can

download his/her Aadhaar card. However, it can only be downloaded on the mobile number to which Aadhaar has

been linked.

Harsh Vardhan launches 'Wood is Good' Campaign to promote climate-friendly resource

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Harsh Vardhan inaugurated a two-day conference on

‘Sustainable landscapes and forest ecosystems: Theory to Practice’ in New Delhi on 12 September 2017.

The minister launched the ‘Wood is Good’ campaign on the occasion under the Forest-Plus programme. The purpose

of the campaign is to promote wood as a climate-friendly resource and substitute to materials like steel and plastic as

it is a renewable resource, having zero carbon footprint, unlike other materials that leave carbon footprint in their

production.

While emphasising on the need to create an enabling environment through small steps such as planting more trees,

the environment minister urged the gathering to deliberate and come out with out-of-the-box ideas and solutions on

increasing the forest cover much beyond the stipulated 33 percent.

Rajnath Singh launches intelligence wing of SSB and WARB App

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on 18 September 2017 launched the intelligence wing of Sashastra Seema Bal

(SSB) and Welfare and Rehabilitation Board App (WARB) in New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, the Home Minister stated that ensuring the security of open borders is a major challenge

and the SSB is playing a crucial role in this regard.

SSB, which is currently one of India's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), guards India's borders with Bhutan and

Nepal. The intelligence wing will help gather actionable information that will be useful for the force.

President of India Launches ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ Campaign

To take the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at a higher level, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, The President of India, on September 15,

2017, launched a nationwide sanitation campaign, ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is Service), at Ishwariganj village in

Kanpur.

The President also administered ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ oath to all present there whereby they pledged to create a healthy,

clean, and new India.

Centre decides to form inter-ministerial committee to monitor implementation of safety measures in

schools

The Union Government on 18 September 2017 decided to form an inter-ministerial committee to monitor

implementation of safety measures in its schools across the country. The committee was formed in the wake of the

brutal killing of a student in Gurugram and rape of a girl by a school peon in the national capital, Delhi.

The decision was taken during a meeting between Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar

and Women & Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Gandhi in New Delhi. The WDC minister also informed that

a committee of six secretaries will be constituted to monitor the implementation and progress of the guidelines.

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Tripura becomes first state to set up district family welfare committees

Tripura on 18 September 2017 became the first state in India to set up family welfare district committees.

State Governor Tathagata Roy formally launched the family welfare committees in all eight districts in Tripura at a

function in Tripura High Court.

The committees have been set to deal with the issue of fake and biased complaints by women against their husbands,

in-laws and husband's relatives.

The decision to set up the committees came following an order of the Supreme Court to form such committees in all

states.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet decides to provide Rs 2500 monthly honorarium for 'Jal Rakshaks

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on 18 September 2017 decided to provide a monthly honorarium of Rs 2500 to 'Jal

Rakshaks'.

The qualified Jal Rakshaks with ITI diplomas will be given quota for pump operators and fitters. Those with matric and

12 years of experience will be inducted against the post of Chowkidar and pump attendants.

Around 1000 existing posts of Beldars will be re-designated as Chowkidar and pump attendants.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in Shimla.

The Cabinet decided to increase honorarium of Asha workers to Rs 1000 per month in addition to incentives provided.

It decided to provide subsidised ration to the inmates of Tibetan Children Villages at Dharamshala.

WCD Ministry hosts first-ever National Conference on under-nutrition

The Ministry of Women and Child Development hosted the first ever National Conference in New Delhi on 19

September 2017 on Mission Mode to address Under-Nutrition in the country.

The conference was organised by the WCD Ministry in collaboration with Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, keeping in mind the goal of “Malnutrition Free India-2022”.

The main reason behind holding the conference was to give focused attention on the issue of under-nutrition and for

the same purpose, the WCD ministry has identified 113 most backward districts across the country based on the

composite index of NITI Ayong and prevalence of stunting from NFHS-4 data.

Chhattisgarh HC orders state to grant books, uniform instead of cash to BPL students

The Chhattisgarh High Court on 18 September 2017 ordered the state government to grant books and uniform instead

of cash to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) students studying in private schools under Right to education.

The High Court issued the order to the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Government, stating that the government

should start providing free uniforms, textbooks, and stationery to BPL children studying in private schools from the

present session.

The decision was taken by a divisional bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Sharad

Kumar Gupta while hearing a PIL.

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Jharkhand Government launches Shaheed Gram Vikas Yojana

The state government of Jharkhand launched the ‘Shaheed Gram Vikas Yojana’ on 18 September 2017 to develop

villages of freedom fighters.

The initiative was inaugurated by Amit Shah along with Jharkhand Chief Minister at Ulihatu Village of the state, where

Jharkhand's tribal icon and freedom fighter - Birsa Munda was born. Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah said, “If we

can't give a developed village to the descendants of the great Birsa Munda and so many others like Nilamber-Pitamber

and Siddo Kanu, then we will not be able to return their debt. Not only Jharkhand, but entire India is indebted to their

sacrifice, as they kept raising their voices against the British from time-to-time.”

Under the scheme, villages of many tribal freedom fighters will be developed and their habitants will be provided with

basic amenities.

India’s Zero Hunger Programme to be launched in Gorakhpur, Koraput and Thane

India’s ambitious Zero Hunger Programme through interventions in form sector will be launched in three districts,

namely- Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Koraput in Odisha and Thane in Maharashtra, on 16 October 2017.

16 October is observed globally as World Food Day. The zero hunger programme planned in these three districts will

focus on agriculture, nutrition, and health in a symbiotic manner.

Information regarding the ambitious Zero Hunger Programme was given by the eminent agriculture scientist and as

the father of 'green revolution' in India, M S Swaminathan. The Programme will be initiated by the Indian Council of

Agricultural Research the (ICAR) in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the MS

Swaminathan Research Foundation and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Narendra Modi dedicates Sardar Sarovar Dam to nation

For the people of three states -- Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi

inaugurated 138-metre Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river on Sunday, saying “no other project in the world

has faced so many hurdles”.

Dedicating the dam to the nation on his 67th birthday, PM Modi said at Dabhoi, near the dam, that he would live and

die for the dreams of the people of the country. “You know me, I can’t do small things. I don’t think small, don’t do

small things. With 1.25 billion people with me, I can’t dream small.”

The project, which has cost around Rs. 60,000 crore, irrigates 1.8 million hectares of land in Gujarat and 2,46,000

hectares in Rajasthan. The project aims to benefit about 10 lakh farmers. The hydro power generated from the turbines

installed in the dam provides electricity to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

India to conduct first BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise 2017

The first BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise 2017 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017) will be conducted by the National

Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the lead agency from 10 October to 13 October 2017.

The Exercise will be conducted in the National Capital Region (NCR).

This Exercise will serve as a platform for sharing best practices on all aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR),

strengthening regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among the BIMSTEC member countries.

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It was decided at the 17th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 7 February 2017 that India

would organize the first annual Disaster Management Exercise for the region.

Delegates from all seven nations of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

(BIMSTEC) grouping, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, will participate in

the event.

Union Government to launch mobile app for retiring government staffs

The Union Government will be launching a mobile application for central government employees on 20 September

2017. The app will help the retiring government employees to monitor the progress of their pension settlement cases.

In addition, the app will also allow the retired employees to assess their superannuation funds and record complaints

through the pension calculator. They will also be able to register their grievances and get updates on orders issued by

the department.

The app will be launched by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh in

New Delhi. At present, the ministry has a pensioners' portal for this purpose.

Reports suggest that the newly launched mobile app will have all services meant for the pensioner, which is available

at the portal of the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare.

Vice President releases Commemorative Coin on MS Subbulakshmi

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on 19 September 2017 released a Commemorative Coin on Bharat Ratna Dr MS

Subbulakshmi on the occasion of Birth Centenary Commemoration of M.S. Subbulakshmi.

M.S. Subbulakshmi was a legendary and iconic figure who said that what defines India is this rich heritage of music

and its unifying role in bringing people together. Subbulakshmi was not only a singer but was an encyclopaedia of

singing.

Himachal Pradesh becomes first state to launch electric bus service

The Himachal Pradesh government on 21 September 2017 launched first-of-its-kind electric bus service in the

ecologically fragile 51km-long stretch between Manali and Rohtang Pass.

The bus service was flagged off by State Transport Minister GS Bali along with Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus. The

move was made amidst concern over increasing environmental degradation in the Rohtang Pass area due to plying of

diesel taxis.

With this initiative, the state has become the first in the world to ply electric buses at an altitude of 13 thousand feet.

There would be a total of 10 buses in the fleet.

First Scorpene-class submarine, INS Kalvari, delivered to Indian Navy

INS Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines was delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Limited

(MDL) on 21 September 2017. The submarine will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The development marks a major milestone in Indian Navy's submarine programme as the vessel is expected to bolster

India's maritime prowess.

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Meanwhile, the second Scorpene-class submarine, INS Khanderi, which was launched in January 2017, is currently

undergoing the rigorous phase of sea trials. The third Scorpene-class submarine, INS Karanj, is also being readied for

launch later in 2017. The rest of the submarines are in various stages of outfitting.

Andhra Pradesh to be declared ODF by March 2018

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the state will be declared ODF by March

2018.

This was announced during a Collectors’ Conference in Vijayawada, as a part of the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign.

Cleanliness Drive in the Other States

In Madhya Pradesh, over 2 Lakh toilet pits were dug on 17 September with the intention of turning them into at least

one lakh toilets by 2 October.

In Maharashtra, the focus has mainly been on Shramdaan.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the administration and common people joined together to clean their respective areas.

Government to introduce 'Food Street' at global food fair in New Delhi

With an aim to attract investment in the food processing sector under the Make in India initiative, the government

has decided to introduce a curated food experience zone 'Food Street' at the global food fair in November in New

Delhi. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor will be the brand ambassador of the event at the World Food India 2017 that will be held

between 3 November and 5 November 2017.

The experiential platform will bring together culinary practices, flavours, fragrances from cuisines across the world.

Curated food experience to benefit in boosting investment: The Food Street will act as a platform for the investors to

taste the food and then take a call on investing in India under the 'Make in India' programme.

Environment Ministry to conduct five rounds of Quiz, ‘Prakriti Khoj’, across the Country

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will hold a quiz on the environment - ‘Prakriti Khoj’

throughout the country.

The quiz is planned in five rounds and the qualifying round will begin on 25 September 2017 by paying tribute to Pandit

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary. The quiz will be conducted online through multiple-choice questions.

The quiz, Prakriti Khoj, will be held round wise and the qualifying round will continue till 29 September 2017.

Union Cabinet approves introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Union Cabinet on 20 September 2017 approved the introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in

Parliament subject to modifications of drafting, if any, as may be considered necessary by the Legislative Department.

The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 seeks to amend the Dentists Act, 1948 to reduce the redundancy.

Union Government launches Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana

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Dr. Harshvardhan, the Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate

Change, on 22 September 2017 launched the Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana.

The Project aims at formulating and implementing appropriate Science and Technology (S&T) interventions for

sustainable development through cluster approach in Uttarakhand.

Key highlights

The project has been inspired by teachings and ideals of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay whose birth centenary falls in the

year 2017.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) conceived to adopt a few clusters of villages in Uttarakhand and

transform them to become self-sustainable in a time bound manner through the tools of S&T.

The key deliverable in this approach is to utilise local resources and locally available skill sets and convert them in a

manner using science and technology, that substantial value addition takes place in their local produce and services

which can sustain the rural population locally.

New underground water treatment plant inaugurated in Tripura

In Tripura, a new underground water treatment plant was inaugurated on 23 September 2017 at Sadhutilla in southern

part of Agartala with the support of the state Urban Development department.

The plant mainly aims to fulfil the long cherished aspiration of people of drinking water that is free from iron and any

other contamination.

The water treatment plant has been designed to treat surface water and deep tube wells.

The plant will start by treating underground water collected through six deep tube wells of the Sadhutilla locality.

Multi-agency exercise Pralay Sahayam held in Hyderabad

A multi-agency exercise Pralay Sahayam was conducted on 23 September 2017 on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake in

Hyderabad, Telangana.

The event demonstrated efforts of all central and state agencies, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and the Armed

Forces towards jointly tackling an urban flooding scenario in Hyderabad.

For the purpose of the multi-agency exercise, Hussain Sagar Lake was transformed into urban colonies partly

submerged under water, post heavy showers in the city.

Union Government launches Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour Portal

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on 26 September 2017 launched the Platform for Effective Enforcement for No

Child Labour (PENCIL) Portal during the National Conference on Child Labour organised by the Union Ministry of Labour

and Employment.

Moreover, the ministry also launched the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the enforcement of legal

framework against child labour.

The SOP aims to ensure complete prohibition of child labour and protection of adolescents from hazardous labour

leading to Child Labour Free India.

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Indian Navy commissions INS Tarasa at Mumbai

A Water Jet Fast Attack Craft named INS Tarasa on 26 September 2017 was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The craft was commissioned by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval

Command at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

INS Tarasa is decked with proven design, good endurance, low draught, high speed and manoeuvrability. Therefore,

the craft is most suited for its primary role of extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol.

Indian Railways to work with ISRO to devise safety mechanisms for rail network

Indian Railways would be working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to devise safety mechanisms to

make travel by trains safer.

The information was shared by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who said that he had met ISRO Chairman A S Kiran

Kumar in this regard.

He further added that the Indian Railways was working along with RailTel to explore the use of space technology for

safety in the rail network.

Besides this, the Minister said that modern technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning would affect

a change in the working environment and India has the opportunity to look at what is latest across the world and bring

it to the country.

India International Science Festival 2017 to be held in Chennai

The 3rd edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2017 will be held in Chennai during from 13 October 2017

to 16 October 2017.

The Festival will be held at various venues, which include Anna University, Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI),

Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and IIT-Madras.

Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu declares rural areas in Nargund Open Defecation Free

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on 26 September 2017 declared the rural areas in Nargund Taluk of Karnataka as

Open Defecation Free (ODF) while inaugurating Swachhta Hi Seva and Shouchalayakkagi Samara (A Crusade For

Toilets) Programme in Karnataka.

Naidu also initiatied the activity of ‘Tippe Samskarane’ (Waste Processing) at Konnur Village in Naragund Taluk, Gadag

District and also inaugurated a “Shudda Kudiyuva Neerina Ghataka” (Purified Drinking Water Plant).

Govt launches ‘Divyang Sarathi’—Accessible and Comprehensive Mobile Application for easy information

dissemination to ‘Divyangjans’

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Beta version of ‘Divyang Sarathi’—The accessible and

comprehensive mobile application for easy dissemination of information to ‘Divyangjans’.

This mobile application will undoubtedly empower the 'Divyangjans' by giving easier and helpful access of data to them

as they would now be able to receive all details relating to the plans, grants, schemes, scholarships, and other crucial

and relative information at a single click.

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This mobile application aiming for giving all important data relating to the Ministry Social Justice and Empowerment,

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), including its different rules, acts, principles,

directions s, plans, data about the different outreach organisations, employment opportunities, and the disability

market in an accessible format.

Cabinet approves umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led Union Cabinet has given its nod for implementation of umbrella scheme of

"Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF)" for years 2017-18 to 2019-20.

The total budget outlay for the Modernisation of Police Forces scheme over the three year’s period is Rs.25,060 crore,

in which the Central Government will contribute Rs.18,636 crore and the States will contribute Rs.6,424 crore.

There are provisions madeunder the Scheme for law & order, internal security, women security, accessibility of

modern weapons, versatility of police powers, logistic support, procuring of helicopters, upgradation of police

wireless, National Satellite Network, CCTNS venture, E-prison project and so forth.

Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Afghanistan on cooperation on Police Training

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 September 2017 approved Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) between India and Afghanistan on technical cooperation on police training and development.

The MoU will help in capacity building of Afghanistan National Police and improving the security apparatus in the

region.

India and Norway sign Letter of Intent to extend cooperation in health sector

India and Norway signed a Letter of Intent on 28 September 2017 to extend bilateral cooperation within health sector

through the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) for a period of three years starting from 2018.

The letter was signed in New Delhi between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Norwegian

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India and the United States renew commitment for Joint Collaboration on Health

India and the United States on 27 September 2017 renewed their commitment to collaborate in the healthcare sector

at the second India-US Health Dialogue that was held on 26-27 September 2017 in New Delhi.

The two-day event saw several experts deliberate on issues of bilateral importance including communicable and non-

communicable diseases, low-cost innovations, food and drug regulations, traditional medicine and access to

medicines.

This Health Dialogue touched upon several issues- communicable and non-communicable diseases, health systems,

biomedical research and low-cost innovations, science and health data, food and drug regulations, traditional medicine

and access to medicines.

Cabinet approves pact between India and Ethiopia on cooperation in communication field

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 September 2017 gave its approval to the agreement

between India and Ethiopia on cooperation in the field of Information, Communication and Media.

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The pact mainly aims to harness the growing power of Information, Communication and Media for information

dissemination and enhancing outreach between the two countries for inclusive development.

Central Government increased Doctors Retirement age to 65 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union Cabinet has approved the suggestion to increase the retirement age of

doctors to 65 years. But, this decision shall not be applicable to Central Health Service (CHS) doctors.

The decision is expected to help in better patient care, better academic activities in Medical institutes and colleges as

also it will help in effective and better implementation of National Health Programmes (NHP) for delivery of health

care services.

Appointments

India Name of the person Appointed as Organization/Country Sunil Arora Election Commissioner India

Rajiv Mehrishi Comptroller and Auditor General India

U Kamachi Mudali Chief Executive Heavy Water Board

Rajiv Kumar Secretary Department of Financial Services (DFS)

Anita Karwal Chairperson Central Board of Secondary Education

Nirmala Sitharaman First full time Women Defence Minister

India

P R Seshadri Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Karur Vysya Bank

Viveck Goenka Chairman Press Trust of India (PTI)

Inder Jit Singh Chairperson National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC)

Y C Modi Director General National Investigation Agency (NIA)

Rajnikant Mishra Chief Sashastra Seema Bal

Shashi Shanker Chairman and Managing Director Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)

Royana Singh first woman Chief Proctor Banaras Hindu University

World Name of the person Appointed as Organization/Country Joseph Yuvaraj Pillay Interim President Singapore

Peter Thomson first Special Envoy for the oceans United Nations

Raj Shah Communication Team United States of America Government

Ban Ki-moon Chairman Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Aráoz Fernández Prime Minister Peru

Raquel Dodge first woman General Prosecutor Brazil

Joao Lourenco First President in 38 Years Angola

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Resignations

Ashish Kashyap on 6 September 2017 resigned as the President and Co-founder of MakeMyTrip with effect from 30

September 2017.

Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar has resigned from his post of independent director in the board of Dewan

Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL), the third largest home loan & housing finance company in India.

Days

Day Observed on Theme/info Teacher’s Day 5 September Birth anniversary of Former President Dr. Sarvepalli

Radhakrishnan

International Day of Charity 5 September To commemorate the death anniversary of Mother Teresa

International Literacy Day 8 September Literacy in a Digital World

World Physical Therapy Day 8 September Physical activity for life

World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September Take a Minute, Change a Life

International Day for South-South Cooperation

12 September

International Day of Democracy 15 September Democracy and Conflict prevention

National Engineers Day 15 September Commemorate birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

National Hindi Divas (Hindi Day) 14 September The Union Government announced the launch of ‘Lila App' that uses Artificial Intelligence to teach Hindi in various languages.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

16 September Caring for all life under the sun

International Day of Peace 21 September Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

26 September -

International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI)

28 September

World Heart Day 29 September Share the Power

First International Translation Day 30 September The International Translation Day was observed for the first time on 30 September 2017.

13th Formation Day of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

28 September School Safety

World Rabies Day 28 September Rabies: Zero by 30

World Maritime Day 28 September Connecting Ships, Ports and People

World Tourism Day 27 September Sustainable Tourism - a Tool for Development

Sports News

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni becomes the first wicketkeeper to have 100 stumpings in ODI Cricket

Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 3 September 2017 became the first wicketkeeper in the world of

cricket to claim 100 stumpings in the One Day International (ODI). With this, Dhoni surpassed the former Sri Lankan

captain Kumar Sangakkara, who had 99 stumpings in 404 ODI matches.

Dhoni achieved the fete in his 301st ODI played against Sri Lanka in Colombo. To achieve the fete, Dhoni whipped off

the bails to remove the Sri Lankan batsman Akila Dananjaya off leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling.

36-year-old Dhoni has also taken 281 catches apart from scoring 9657 runs so far. Dhoni has played 90 Tests and 77

T20 Internationals as well. In 90 Tests, Dhoni has taken 256 catches and effected 38 stumping. In T20 Internationals,

Dhoni has taken 43 catches and affected 23 stumpings.

FIFA U-17 World Cup song officially launched

The official song for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup football tournament was formally launched on 4 September 2017

by the Local Organising Committee and Sony Pictures Networks India in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The song, "Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal", is written by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and is composed by Pritam.

In addition, the song features a host of music artists that include Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Babul Supriyo, Shaan,

Papon, Mika along with a rap performance by actor Abhishek Bachchan.

The composition of the song puts forward the vibrancy and uniqueness of India while resonating with a global audience

simultaneously.

Amritpal Singh creates history, becomes first Indian to be signed by Australian Basketball Team

Captain of Indian basketball team Amritpal Singh on 31 August 2017 created history by becoming the first Indian player

to be signed by an Australian Basketball team.

Earlier, Singh had been a part of the four-member Indian team of Amjyot Singh, Yadwinder Singh and Vishesh

Bhriguvanshi, who were a part of the National Basketball League (NBL) Draft Combine in Melbourne, Australia in 2017.

Rafael Nadal wins US Open for his 16th Grand Slam title

Rafael Nadal on 10 September 2017 won his third US Open and 16th Grand Slam title in New York.

Nadal defeated South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4 to grab the prestigious title.

The Spaniard has now won two Slams in the same year for the first time since 2013, having won the French Open in

June 2017.

He became the only man to win the same tournament 10 times by winning the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2017.

Sloane Stephens beats Madison Keys to win US Open Women’s Singles

Sloane Stephens on 10 September 2017 won her first major, the 2017 US Open Women’s Singles title, in New York.

Stephens defeated Madison Keys 6-3 6-0 to grab the prestigious title.

The unseeded Stephens now ranks at No. 83 in the world.

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Devendra Fadnavis launches 'Maharashtra Mission 1 Million' initiative

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 15 September 2017 launched the ‘Maharashtra Mission 1 Million’

initiative under which, over 10 lakh students across the state will play football.

The mission was launched in an attempt to support the FIFA U17 World Cup, which is happening for the first-ever time

in India and Maharashtra.

The under-17 football world cup is set to kick off in October 2017. According to Devendra Fadnavis , the mission will

not only create football players and lovers of the game, but will also help in overall development of the state.

Goa to host 36th National Games

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 13 September 2017 formally awarded the rights to host the 36th National

Games to Goa.

The announcement was made by the state sports minister Manohar Ajgaonkar.

Ajgaonkar said that IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, in a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, had formally

conferred the rights to the state to host the sporting event in November 2017.

PV Sindhu beats Nozomi Okuhara to win 2017 Korea Open Super Series

PV Sindhu on 17 September 2017 became the first Indian shuttler to win the BWF Korean Open Super Series.

Sindhu defeated Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 22-20, 11-21, 21-18 to grab the prestigious title.

The duo had already fought-out the longest match in the final of the BWF World Championship in August 2017, when

Okuhara emerged victorious after a 110-minute match.

Union Cabinet approves revamped Khelo India Programme

The Union Cabinet on 20 September 2017 approved the revamped Khelo India programme at a cost of Rs 1756 crore

for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20.

This revamped programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for individual development, community

development, economic development and national development. It will impact the entire sports ecosystem including

infrastructure, community sports, coaching and sports economy.

It is an unprecedented Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme which will cover 1000 most talented young athletes each

year across select sports disciplines.

Each athlete selected under the scheme will receive an annual scholarship worth Rs 5 lakh for 8 consecutive years.

Mary Kom to be AIBA representative at IOC Athletes’ Forum

Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom in September 2017 became the first Indian to

be picked as representative of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for the IOC Athletes’ Forum.

The 33-year-old athlete has been invited to attend the 8th International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes’ Forum

in Lausanne from 11 November to 13 November 2017.

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French anti-doping laboratory suspended by WADA

The French anti-doping laboratory of Chatenay-Malabry in September 2017 was provisionally suspended by the World

Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

This provisional suspension was imposed due to analytical issues self-reported to WADA by the laboratory.

World News

NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson to return home after 288 days in space

NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson is set to return to Earth from the International Space Station on 2 September 2017,

after completing a 288-day mission.

Whitson would be returning with her Expedition 52 crewmates, Nasa’s Jack Fischer and Fyodor Yurchikhin of the

Russian space agency Roscosmos. They are scheduled to land in Kazakhstan.

Whitson’s expedition crew members, Yurchikhin and Fischer, who were launched in April 2017, would be completing

136 days in space on their return.

Donald Trump revokes Obama’s amnesty programme, 7000 Indian Americans to be affected

US President Donald Trump on 5 September 2017 scrapped an amnesty programme introduced during Obama’s term

that granted work permits to immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children.

The move is likely to impact over 800,000 undocumented workers including more than 7000 Indian-Americans.

The announcement was made by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said that the programme known as DACA

(Deferred Action for Children Arrival) that was effectuated under the Obama Administration is being withdrawn.

Defending the decision, Sessions said that to have a lawful system of immigration that serves the national interest,

one cannot admit everyone who would like to come here.

India refuses to sign Bali Declaration over Rohingya issue

India on 7 September 2017 refused to sign Bali Declaration adopted at the World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable

Development in Indonesia.

The Bali Declaration referred to the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The Bali Declaration called on all parties to contribute to restoring stability and security in the region.

The Declaration urged everyone to “exercise maximum self-restraint from using violent means, respect the human

rights of all people in Rakhine state regardless of their faith and ethnicity, as well as facilitate and guarantee safe access

for humanitarian assistance”.

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South Asian Women Development Forum to organise summit at Kathmandu

The South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF) would be organising ‘Across Barriers-International Business

Women’s Summit’ from 11 to 12 September 2017 at Kathmandu, Nepal.

The two-day event aims to encourage partnerships between women entrepreneurs from the SAARC and ASEAN

member countries and China.

The Ministry of Agriculture, US Embassy in Nepal and the Department for International Development (DFID), UK would

be providing financial support to the event.

Around 80 delegates from 18 countries would be participating in the event.

United Nations Security Council adopts new North Korea sanctions

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 11 September 2017 unanimously adopted a set of new sanctions on

North Korea over its recent nuclear test in violation of previous Security Council resolutions.

The fresh resolution curtails the country's oil supply by almost 30 per cent and bans all its textile exports worth USD

800 million. It also takes steps to stop North Koreans working abroad from sending their earnings back to the country

and provides new tools for combating smuggling of prohibited products by sea.

The US mission to the UN described the resolution as the “strongest sanctions ever imposed on North Korea”.

IDF and US Army inaugurate first permanent American base in Israel

The US Army and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in September 2017 inaugurated a permanent base on Israeli soil. This

is the first time that a permanent American base has been opened in the Middle Eastern country.

The base represents the long-standing partnership, the strategic commitment between the armies and the militaries

of the United States of America and Israel.

Several dozen American soldiers will be stationed at the base in Israel’s south, which America and Israel have been

working on for two years.

50 nations sign United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Fifty countries on 20 September 2017 inked United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Brazil was the first country to sign onto the ban, followed by nations from Algeria to Venezuela.

Fifty states as different as Indonesia and Ireland had put their names to the treaty; others can sign later if they like.

Guyana, Thailand and the Vatican also have already ratified the treaty, which needs 50 ratifications to take effect

among the nations that back it.

Under the terms and conditions of the treaty, the countries signing it would be barred from developing, testing,

producing, manufacturing, otherwise acquiring, possessing or stockpiling nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

World's largest aircraft successfully passes first engine tests

The world’s largest airplane, which has been designed to serve as a launching platform for sending rockets into low-

Earth orbit, has successfully completed its initial engine tests.

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The plane weighs about 227,000 kg and has the biggest wingspan ever built, measuring 118 m from one end to the

other.

According to the spaceflight company Stratolaunch, which is led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, in the initial tests,

each of the six engines of the plane operated as expected.

Indexes, Reports & Lists

CSIR ranked 9th public research institution of the world

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India's largest autonomous public research and development

organisation, in August 2017 was ranked 9th best government organisation in the world.

As per the Scimago Institutions ranking World Report 2017, the CSIR has been ranked ninth amongst a total of 1207

government institutions.

With this ranking, CSIR joins the ranks of the globally renowned organisations namely Chinese Academy of Sciences,

France’s Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Germany’s Helmholtz Gemeinschaft and Max Planck

Gesellschaft, Russian Academy of Sciences, Japan Science and Technology Agency, and many more.

The ranking (Government Institutions) was topped by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, followed by Centre National

de la Recherche Scientifique and Helmholtz Gemeinschaft, respectively.

India at 103 rank on Global Human Capital Index, lowest among BRICS nations

India has been placed at a low 103 rank, the lowest among BRICS economies, on the World Economic Forum's (WEF's)

Global Human Capital Index, which has been topped by Norway.

India also ranks "among the lowest in the world" when it comes to the employment gender gap, but has fared well

when it comes to development of skills needed for the future with a rank of 65 out of total 130 countries surveyed.

The list compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF) takes into account "the knowledge and skills people

possess that enable them to create value in the global economic system" to measure the 'human capital' rank of a

country.

2017 Global Financial Centres Index places London at the Top; Mumbai ranked at 60th position

Z/Yen group on 11 September 2017 released its twenty-second Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 22). The index

ranks London at the top position with 780 points, while New York was placed at the second position with 756 points.

The index was published in collaboration with the China Development Institute (CDI).

India’s financial capital Mumbai was placed at the 60th position, which is three positions up from the March edition

of the Index.

The GFCI is released twice a year, in March and September, and ranks 92 financial centres.

UNCTAD Report 2017- India, China unlikely to be growth poles for global economy

Impacts of demonetisation and rollout of the Goods and Services Tax administration on the informal sector and

diminishment in the pace of credit creation may influence India's development prospect. Therefore, the Indian

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Economy is at a slippery slope and hence, India unlikely to serve as a “Growth Pole” for the World in the near future

as per the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-UNCTAD’s Trade & Development report 2017.

The Trade & Development report is a flagship report of the UNCTAD which evaluates the global economic climate.

The report also stated that the growth in the world’s two most populous economies – India and China, remains

moderately buoyant, yet the pace is slower and they are at risk of facing some serious risk.

The UNCTAD report 2017 said that increasing NPAs (Non-Performing Asset) of banks are impacting their lending

practices.

WHO releases Non-communicable Disease Progress Monitor 2017 report

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 18 September 2017 released the report titled Non-communicable Disease

Progress Monitor 2017.

As per Progress Monitor 2017, governments must step up efforts to control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to

meet globally agreed targets such as preventing the premature deaths of millions of people from these conditions.

The report also states that limited national progress has been made in the fight against NCDs such as cardiovascular

and chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and diabetes.

These NCDs are the world’s biggest killers and claim the lives of 15 million people aged 30 to 70 years annually.

India jumps to 14th rank as best country for expats: HSBC Survey

India jumped up the global rankings by 12 places to take the 14th position in terms of best country for expats to work

in and live says a HSBC survey.

The ranking is a part of HSBCs latest expat explorer survey that covered 27,587 expats from 159 countries and

territories in March and April this year. Singapore topped the HSBCs expat explorer survey.

The reasons which are attributed to the sudden rise of India in the list is strong ratings across a range of economic,

experience and family measures.

The report said that India attracts many expats for work and financial opportunities, but new arrivals here often find

their family life improves significantly too.

At the same time, the India has also emerged among the top 10 countries among expats for professional development.

India Ranked 40th On World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index

India has been positioned as the 40th most competitive economy on the World Economic Forum's Global Competitive

Index (GCI) 2017-18. It has slipped one place from the last year ranking.

Switzerland is at the top of the world global index followed by US Singapore at the second and third places, individually.

World Economic Forum puts out the ranking of 137 countries from all around the world. It measures all economies at

the factor of future productivity and prosparity. India has slipped from the 39th position to 40th while neighbouring

China is positioned 27th.

India is at third position in the BRICS economies. China (27th) and Russia (38th) are placed above India among the

BRICS nations. Other countries South Africa and Brazil are placed at the 61st and 80th spots, respectively.

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Awards

Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar Sail receives 2016 Saraswati Samman

Prominent Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar Sail was on 31 August 2017 presented with the Saraswati Samman 2016 for

his novel 'Hawthan'.

The novel 'Hawthan', published in 2009, captures cultural lives of traditional potter community in Goa.

Mahabaleshwar was selected for the award by a jury presided by the 29th Chief Justice of India (CJI) AS Anand.

Ahmedabad gets India’s first 'World Heritage City’ tag from UNESCO

The city of Ahmedabad, known as the commercial hub of Gujarat, was on 1 September 2017 formally accorded the

status of India’s first ‘World Heritage City’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

(UNESCO).

The certificate for the same was handed over by UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova to the state’s Chief Minister,

Vijay Rupani.

Speaking on the occasion, Rupani said that it was a proud moment for over 6.5 Cr people of Gujarat. He added that

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had put in a lot of hard work to get the heritage tag for the city.

India secured the nomination for Ahmedabad on UNESCO's World Heritage list during the 41st Session of World

Heritage Committee on 8 July 2017.

UNESCO announces winners of International Literacy Prizes 2017

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 30 August 2017 announced the winners

of the 2017 International Literacy Prizes that honour excellence and innovation in the field of global literacy.

The UNESCO International Literacy Prizes are divided into two categories namely the UNESCO Confucius Prize for

Literacy that is sponsored by China and the King Sejong Literacy Prize that is sponsored by South Korea.

Here are the winners of the 2017 International Literacy Prizes:

Confucius Prize recognises the projects that benefit rural populations and out-of-school youth, particularly girls and

women. This year, the UNESCO Confucius Prize will be given to:

AdulTICoProgram: This program was the initiative of the Secretariat of Information and Communications

Technologies of Armenia (Colombia) for teaching digital competencies to seniors.

The Citizens Foundation (Pakistan): The foundation was chosen for its Aagahi Literacy Programme for Women

and Out-of-School Girls that includes digital educational needs assessments and provides teaching services to

support the education of younger girls and older women.

FunDza (South Africa): The organisation launched readers and writers project to develop a culture of reading

and writing for pleasure through an online platform that provides reading courses and writing competitions.

Government honours CBDT for resolving public grievances

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) was on 4 September 2017 honoured by Minister of State for Personnel

Jitendra Singh for successfully resolving public grievances.

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The CBDT was honoured for resolving grievances in the third category of the government departments getting more

than 2,000 grievances during a quarter. The body is the apex policy making body for the Income Tax department.

Besides CBDT, four other departments were also awarded under three categories of organisations, divided on the

basis of the volume of grievances received and disposed of by them.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and Ministry of Development of North Eastern

Region were awarded in the category of ministries or departments receiving up to 300 grievances in a quarter.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Panchayati Raj ministry were honoured

in the category of organisations receiving more than 300 and up to 2,000 complaints in a quarter.

N R Narayana Murthy conferred with PLuS Alliance Prize 2017

Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy was on 3 September 2017 conferred with the PLuS Alliance Prize 2017 along

with Mumbai-born scientist Veena Sahajwalla. Both the winners received USD 50000 as cash prize.

Both the winners were recognised for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to significant

global issues.

Murthy was presented the PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership while Sahajwalla was awarded the Prize for

Research Innovation for her project 'The new science of green manufacturing.

UNESCO announces winners for Girls’ and Women’s Education Prize 2017

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in September 2017 announced the

winners of 2017 edition of the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova announced the names of the two laureates from Peru and Thailand

recommended by an International Jury.

Each of the two organisations was honoured with the prize money of USD 50000 at an official ceremony held in

Xiamen, People’s Republic of China, on 5 September 2017.

Tahir Mahmood awarded with N R Madhava Menon Best Law Teacher Award

Eminent jurist Tahir Mahmood was on 9 September 2017 awarded with the prestigious N R Madhava Menon Best Law

Teacher Award 2017 for his distinguished services to legal education and legal profession on the occasion of Law

Teachers' Day celebrations.

The function was organised by the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training

(MILAT).

The awards are bestowed every year to honour the most deserved law teachers and institutions in India and across

the SAARC region.

2 US scientists, Indian economist among 2017 Balzan Prize awardees

The International Balzan Foundation on 11 September 2017 announced the winners of the 2017 Balzan Prize.

This year, Indian economist Bina Agarwal was recognised among other awardees for her work on women's

contributions to agriculture in India.

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69th Primetime Emmy Awards announced

The 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards was announced on 17 September 2017 at the Microsoft Theater, Los

Angeles, California, U.S.

The Handmaid's Tale became the first web television series to win the award for Outstanding Drama Series.

Westworld and Saturday Night Live were the most nominated programs, each with 22 nominations.

Award Winner

Outstanding Comedy Series Veep

Outstanding Drama Series The Handmaid's Tale

Outstanding Variety Talk Series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Limited Series Big Little Lies

Outstanding Television Movie Black Mirror: "San Junipero"

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Voice

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Donald Glover as Earnest "Earn" Marks on Atlanta

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer on Veep

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson on This Is Us

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne / Offred on The

Handmaid's Tale

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust wins Rajbhasha Kirti Award for 11th consecutive time

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in September 2017 was awarded the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar for the year

2016-17.

The JNPT was honoured with the prestigious award in the category of ‘B’ region for autonomous bodies and boards.

The JNPT won the prize for its excellent implementation of the official language. This is the 11th consecutive year that

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has won this award.

Nigerian lawyer Zannah Mustapha wins 2017 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award

Nigerian lawyer Zannah Mustapha in September 2017 won the 2017 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for his crucial

mediating role and efforts to help children affected by the insurgency in Nigeria.

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Mustapha had negotiated and helped secure the release of more than 100 schoolgirls from Chibok kidnapped by the

Boko Haram militant group.

‘Newton’ is India’s official entry to Oscars 2018

Director Amit Masurkar’s political satire “Newton”, starring Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, will be India’s official

entry at Oscars 2018, the Film Federation of India announced today.

The Hindi film was the unanimous choice of FFI’s selection committee, headed by Telugu producer C V Reddy.

“’Newton’ has been selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars. It was unanimously chosen from 26 entries this

year,” Supran Sen, FFI Secretary General, told PTI.

C N R Rao chosen for 2017 Von Hippel Award

Renowned scientist C N R Rao in September 2017 became the first Asian to be chosen for the Von Hippel Award.

Rao is chosen for the prestigious award for his immense contribution in materials research.

The award citation noted Rao’s immense work on novel functional materials, including nanomaterials (having particles

of nanoscale dimensions), graphene (the strongest and thinnest material) and 2D materials, superconductivity, and

colossal magnetoresistance (change in electrical resistance of a material in a magnetic field).

The award is the US-based Materials Research Society’s (MRS) highest honour.

President of India presents the National Tourism Awards 2015-16

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind presented the ‘National Tourism Awards 2015-16’ to various segments of the

travel, tourism and hospitality industry at a function organised by the Ministry of Tourism on the occasion of ‘World

Tourism Day’ on 27 September 2017 at New Delhi.

The function presided over by Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism, Alphons Kannanthanam saw in attendance tourism

ministers of states, central and state government officials, members from the travel and hospitality industries and

students from tourism and hospitality institutes.

The event also saw the launch of ‘Incredible India 2.0 campaign’ and ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project and new Incredible

India website by the President.

Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh

Best Tourism Film - Promotional Films on Rajasthan, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan

“Visit Mysuru” by M/s Safe Wheels Tours & Travels, Mysuru (Special Award)

Tourist Friendly Railway Station - Ujjain Railway Station, Madhya Pradesh

Swachhta Award - Government of Telangana

Book Authored by Info Unstoppable: My Life So Far Maria Sharapova

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Obituaries

Person Field/Other Info Sultan Ahmed Politican /Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal

Pavani Parameswara Constitutional law expert

Arjan Singh Marshall of Indian Airforce

Liliane Bettencourt World's richest woman and heiress to the L’Oreal cosmetics fortune

Shakila Bollywood Actress

List of India Governors as on October, 2017

Governor of Indian States

Andhra Pradesh E. S. L. Narasimhan

Arunachal Pradesh B. D. Mishra

Assam Jagdish Mukhi

Bihar Satya Pal Malik

Chhattisgarh Balram Das Tandon

Goa Mridula Sinha

Gujarat Om Prakash Kohli

Haryana Kaptan Singh Solanki

Himachal Pradesh Acharya Dev Vrat

Jammu and Kashmir Narinder Nath Vohra

Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu

Karnataka Vajubhai Vala

Kerala P. Sathasivam

Madhya Pradesh Om Prakash Kohli (Additional charge)

Maharashtra C. Vidyasagar Rao

Manipur Najma Heptulla

Meghalaya Ganga Prasad

Mizoram Nirbhay Sharma

Nagaland Padmanabha Acharya

Odisha S. C. Jamir

Punjab V. P. Singh Badnore

Rajasthan Kalyan Singh

Sikkim Shriniwas Patil

Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit

Telangana E. S. L. Narasimhan (Additional charge)

Tripura Tathagata Roy

Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik

Uttarakhand Krishan Kant Paul

West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi

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Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Devendra Kumar Joshi

Administrator of Chandigarh V. P. Singh Badnore

Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli Praful Khoda Patel (Additional charge)

Administrator of Daman and Diu Praful Khoda Patel

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal

Administrator of Lakshadweep Farooq Khan

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi

Union Council of Ministers

Prime Minister

Narendra Modi Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; and All important policy issues; and All other portfolios not allocated to any Minister.

Cabinet Ministers

1 Raj Nath Singh Minister of Home Affairs.

2 Sushma Swaraj Minister of External Affairs.

3 Arun Jaitley Minister of Finance; and

Minister of Corporate Affairs.

4 Nitin Jairam

Gadkari

Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of Shipping; and Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

5 Suresh Prabhu Minister of Commerce and Industry.

6 D. V. Sadananda

Gowda

Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

7 Su Uma Bharati Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

8 Ramvilas Paswan Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

9 Maneka Sanjay

Gandhi

Minister of Women and Child Development.

10 Ananthkumar Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers; and

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

11 Ravi Shankar

Prasad

Minister of Law and Justice; and

Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.

12 Jagat Prakash

Nadda

Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

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13 Ashok Gajapathi

Raju Pusapati

Minister of Civil Aviation.

14 Anant Geete Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

15 Harsimrat Kaur

Badal

Minister of Food Processing Industries.

16 Narendra Singh

Tomar

Minister of Rural Development;

Minister of Panchayati Raj; and

Minister of Mines.

17 Chaudhary

Birender Singh

Minister of Steel.

18 Jual Oram Minister of Tribal Affairs.

19 Radha Mohan

Singh

Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

20 Thaawar Chand

Gehlot

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

21 Smriti Zubin Irani Minister of Textiles; and

Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

22 Dr. Harsh

Vardhan

Minister of Science and Technology;

Minister of Earth Sciences; and

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

23 Prakash

Javadekar

Minister of Human Resource Development.

24 Dharmendra

Pradhan

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and

Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

25 Piyush Goyal Minister of Railways; and

Minister of Coal.

26 Nirmala

Sitharaman

Minister of Defence.

27 Mukhtar Abbas

Naqvi

Minister of Minority Affairs.

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

1 Rao Inderjit Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

2 Santosh Kumar

Gangwar

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

3 pad Yesso Naik Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and

Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

4 Dr. Jitendra Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region;

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Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space.

5 Dr. Mahesh

Sharma

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

6 Giriraj Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises.

7 Manoj Sinha Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communications; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.

8 Col.

Rajyavardhan

Singh Rathore

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

9 Raj Kumar Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Power; and

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

10 Hardeep Singh

Puri

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

11 Alphons

Kannanthanam

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Ministers of State

1 Vijay Goel Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

2 Radhakrishnan P. Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping.

3 S.S. Ahluwalia Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

4 Ramesh

Chandappa

Jigajinagi

Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

5 Ramdas

Athawale

Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

6 Vishnu Deo Sai Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel.

7 Ram Kripal Yadav Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development.

8 Hansraj

Gangaram Ahir

Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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9 Haribhai

Parthibhai

Chaudhary

Minister of State in the Ministry of Mines; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal.

10 Rajen Gohain Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.

11 General (Retd.)

V. K. Singh

Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.

12 Parshottam

Rupala

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

13 Krishan Pal Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

14 Jaswantsinh

Sumanbhai

Bhabhor

Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

15 Shiv Pratap

Shukla

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.

16 Ashwini Kumar

Choubey

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

17 Sudarshan

Bhagat

Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

18 Upendra

Kushwaha

Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

19 Kiren Rijiju Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

20 Dr. Virendra

Kumar

Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

21 Anantkumar

Hegde

Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

22 M. J. Akbar Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.

23 Sadhvi Niranjan

Jyoti

Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

24 Y. S. Chowdary Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology; and Minister of State in the

Ministry of Earth Sciences.

25 Jayant Sinha Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

26 Babul Supriyo Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

27 Vijay Sampla Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

28 Arjun Ram

Meghwal

Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the

Ministry of Water Resources,

River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

29 Ajay Tamta Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles.

30 Krishna Raj Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

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31 Mansukh L.

Mandaviya

Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways;

Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping; and Minister of State in the Ministry of

Chemicals and Fertilizers.

32 Anupriya Patel Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

33 C.R. Chaudhary Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

34 P.P. Chaudhary Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice; and

Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

35 Dr. Subhash

Ramrao Bhamre

Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence.

36 Gajendra Singh

Shekhawat

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

37 Dr. Satya Pal

Singh

Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development; and Minister of State

in the Ministry of Water Resources,

River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

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