current affairs January 2014 President Pranab Mukherjee to launch National Mission on Libraries[31/01/2014] President Shri Pranab Mukherjee will launch the National Mission on Libraries (NML), an initiative of the Ministry of Culture to modernise and digitally link public libraries across the country, at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 3rd February, 2014. Nine important constituents of the NML include upgradation of infrastructure, digitization and modernisation, census of libraries and their development as knowledge centres and transformation of libraries into empowering and inclusive institutions. Approved by the government in November last year, NML was set up in pursuance of a report of the National Knowledge Commission, which recommended a total revamp of the Library and Information Service sector to serve the changing needs and expectations of the users and give a fillip to the library movement in the country. Under the scheme, six libraries under the Culture Ministry, 35 Central Libraries in states and 35 District Libraries will be developed as model libraries. Emphasis will on developing these libraries in economically backward districts. Further, 629 district libraries across the states would be provided network connectivity. For setting up of the model libraries, existing libraries would be identified in consultation with the state governments to improve infrastructure and upgrade technology used by them. NML also intends to create a National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) to facilitate a comprehensive database on digital resources, carry out a census on the resources available in the libraries and conduct a study on the reading habits in different regions of the country. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh takes charge as Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region[31/01/2014] Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh has taken charge as the Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region, here today. She retired as Advisor, International Health in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Dr Singh was elected as the Regional Director, South East Asian Regional Organisation (SEARO) in September 2013 after a gap of 44 years. India had occupied the post from 1948 – 1968, but since 1968 India has not occupied the post of the Regional Director of SEARO. Uniform terms of appointment and conditions of service of chairpersons/members of tribunals/quasi-judicial bodies[30/01/2014] The Union Cabinet today gave its approval on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on uniformity of tenure, retirement age, re-appointment, pension, salary and allowances including medical facilities, leave and travelling allowances for chairpersons/members of Tribunals and other quasi-judicial bodies set up for through central legislations. The recommendations of the GoM, as accepted by the Cabinet, will have prospective effect through an overarching legislation. Amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes for 13 States and three Union Territories[30/01/2014] The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for making amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in respect of 13 States (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) and three Union Territories (Chandigarh, Delhi and Puducherry) by way of inclusion / correction / deletion of castes/communities according to advices received from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The amendments will notify 115 changes recommended by the NCBC. The proposed changes will enable persons belonging to these castes/communities to avail benefits of reservation in government services and posts as well as in central educational institutions according to existing policy. They will also become eligible for benefit under various welfare schemes, scholarships, etc. being administered by the Central Government, which are at present available to persons belonging to the OBCs. India and the Republic of Fiji Sign Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)[30/01/2014] The Government of the Republic of India signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with the Government of Republic of Fiji for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The Agreement was signed here today by Shri P. Chidambaram, Union Minister of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and by Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anti-Corruption, Public Enterprises, Communications, Civil Aviation, Tourism, Industry and Trade, on behalf of the Government of Republic of Fiji. India and Netherlands sign MoU in the field of Health and Medicine[30/01/2014] India signed a MoU with The Netherlands in the field of health and medicine to strengthen bilateral cooperations, here today. The MoU was signed by the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ms. Edith I Schippers, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Kingdom of the Netherlands. Cabinet approves enactment of 'waqf properties (eviction of unauthorized occupants) bill, 2013'[30/01/2014] The Cabinet has approved the enactment of a new Stand-alone legislation named ‘Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Bill, 2013’ moved by Shri K. Rahman Khan, Minister of Minority Affairs. The Sachar Committee in its report dated 17.11.2006 recommended to treat waqf as Public Premises as these properties are for the benefit of public and not for individual and encroachment on these properties to be treated as encroachment on Government Land. In view of this, the Ministry of Minority Affairs moved a proposal to the Cabinet to have a Stand-alone legislation to protect Waqf Properties from encroachments and alienation, in consultation with the Ministry of Law, and the Cabinet has approved the feasibility of such a legislation. The new legislation when passed by the Parliament will be highly beneficial for the entire Muslim community as it will provide a perfect mechanism for protection of the waqf properties from encroachment. Central Government notifies Jains as Minority Community[27/01/2014] In exercise of powers conferred by clause(c) of Section 2 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 (19 of 1992), the Central Government hereby notifies the Jain community as a minority community in addition to the five communities already notified as minority communities viz. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) vide Ministry of Welfare Notification SO No.816 (E) dated 23.10.1993 for the purposes of the said Act. This is issued based on a communication received from the Ministry of Minority Affairs vide F.No.1-1/2009-NCM dated 27.1.2014 ‘Krishi Vasant’, a national level agriculture fair-cum-exhibition, is being organized at Nagpur[23/01/2014] ‘Krishi Vasant’, a national level agriculture fair-cum-exhibition, is being organized (jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and Government of Maharashtra) at Nagpur from February 9 to 13, 2014. This is likely to be the largest farmer fair in the country. Named Krishi Vasant’, the fair is a multi-sectoral event in which agro industries, research institutes, Central and State Government organizations, farmer-producer organizations, KVKs, animal breeders, horticulturists, NGOs, students and academia are going to set up their exhibition/demonstrations. Latest developments in all areas of agriculture including crop sciences and technologies, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, food processing, post-harvest activities and marketing will be on display in the fair. Exhibits include latest technologies such as DNA finger printing, micro-nutrient test of soil and tetrazoleum test of seed. More than 350 live demonstrations of crops will be held. There will also be theme specific seminars with farmers and farmer-scientist interactions. Best agricultural practices from the entire country are going to be showcased through 92 success stories. SJVN's Khirvire Wind Power Project Commences Generation[23/01/2014] After achieving great success in hydro power generation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) has successfully commissioned 15 Wind Power turbines of its 47.6 MW Khirvire Wind Power Project in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. Each of the 15 Wind Power turbines has a capacity to generate 850 kV energy. The project will have a total 56 turbine units and will have annual energy generation of 85.65 MU of electricity. The 15 turbine units commissioned are located in village Khirvire/Kombhalane. The project has been linked to a 132 kV Transmission Line from Akole 132 kV Grid Sub Station to 2 x 50 MVA, 33/132 kV Wind Farm Pooling Station connecting 33 kV Line for Inter connecting the Maharashtra Grid. As per the execution schedule, the project will be fully commissioned during current financial year. Innovation Hub at National Science Centre, Delhi Launched[23/01/2014] The Union government has taken yet another step to promote innovation through science and technology by establishing innovation hubs across the country. Shri Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Innovation Council & Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations inaugurated an ‘Innovation Hub’ at the National Science Centre, New Delhi today. It provides a unique opportunity for children of various age groups to work at the facility during the week-ends to develop their ideas on various aspects of Science & Technology. Membership is available for interested students for long-term hands-on and minds-on engagement in creative activities in science & technology. Over 40 students have already sought membership of the new facility and it will be functional from this weekend. The Innovation hub has been equipped with components namely, Hall of Fame with stories of Inventions and Inventors; Innovation Resource Centre with online access to innovation-centric resources; Innovative Laboratory to carry out activities, experiments and projects; Tech Lab for Robotics & Microprocessor Programming; Tod-Phod-Jod (Break & Remake) for students to open gadgets and reassemble them on their own; Kabad Se Jugad (Build from Scrap) for students to develop things from scrap and low-cost materials and an Idea Box for children to propose ideas and create an idea bank. The best ideas will be chosen for experimentation, model making and project work. In addition, children are encouraged to identify real life problem/investigatory projects and work on for solutions under the guidance of experts/mentors. Chhattisgarh's tops in Fiscal Management in RBI Study[23/01/2014] As per RBI study, published in its annual number, ‘State Finances - A study of budgets of 2013-14’ Chhattisgarh's development expenditure as per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is highest in the country. In Chhattisgarh, development expenditure is 20.7 per cent of GSDP, whereas average of all states put together is 11.4 per cent. On this parameter, Bihar is second (16.8), Madhya Pradesh and Goa third (15.7) and Jharkhand is fourth (14.7). Interestingly, till last financial year (2012-13) Bihars development expenditure was highest in the country. In respect of social sector expenditure, that includes education, health, SC/ST development, women and child development, Chhattisgarh holds the first position. Social sector expenditure, in Chhattisgarh as per cent of GSDP is 14 per cent whereas Bihar (11.3) is second, Madhya Pradesh (9.7) and Uttar Pradesh (9.7) are third and Jharkhand (9.2) is fourth. The study is done analysing the budgets of the States rather than surveying the ground level situation in the States. In a different study, National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has indicated that Chhattisgarh is the poorest State of the country where nearly 40% people live below the poverty line. Minister of Mines Dedicates Advanced Light Helicopter – Garuda Vasudha to the Nation[22/01/2014] Shri Dinsha Patel, Minister of Mines, dedicated the Advanced Light Helicopter "Garuda Vasudha" of Geological Survey of India equipped with Heliborne Geophysical Survey System (HGSS) to the nation here today through video-conferencing. The helicopter was launched from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Complex, Bangalore. The Minister also laid the foundation stone of a ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Centre of Excellence Laboratory building of GSI at its Bangalore complex at a cost of Rs. 42 crore. The Garuda Vasudha a "Dhruv" category helicopter has been indigenously built by HAL and the HGSS comprising four aerogeophysical sensors, namely Time Domain Electromagnetic, Magnetic, Spectrometric and Gravimetric alongwith Data Acquisition Systems, have been procured from M/s Pico Envirotec Inc., Canada. The installation and integration of the sensor system has been carried out at HAL. The total cost of the HGSS is about Rs. 63 crores. Smt Aruna Bahuguna Appointed as Director NPA, Hyderabad[21/01/2014] Smt Aruna M Bahuguna, IPS(AP:79) presently working as Special Director General, CRPF has been appointed as Director SVP, National Police Academy (NPA), Hyderabad with effect from the date of her taking over charge of the post and till her superannuation on 28.02.2017 or till further orders, whichever event taken place earlier. UK schoolboy becomes world's youngest to trek South Pole[19/01/2014] A 16-year-old British schoolboy has set a world record for the youngest person ever to trek to the South Pole, completing the gruelling 1,129km journey in just 48 days. Lewis Clarke from Bristol spent 48 days at spine chilling temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius, braving icy winds of up to 193 kph. Clarke reached the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station after completing the 1,129 kilometre journey from the Antarctic coast, 'BBC News' reported. SanDisk's Sanjay Mehrotra named CEO of the Year[17/01/2014] Sanjay Mehrotra, the Indian-American Chief Executive Officer of SanDisk, leading maker of flash memory devices, has been named the 2013 CEO of the Year by the Entrepreneurs' Foundation of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). Legendary actress of yesteryears Suchitra Sen died in a Kolkata hospital[16/01/2014] Legendary actress of yesteryears Suchitra Sen died in a Kolkata hospital, aged 82. She breathed her last on Friday morning, though neither the hospital authorities nor the doctors would confirm the time. The immediate reason of her death was believed to be cardiac arrest. Over a vast span from the fifties to the seventies Sen had teamed up with matinee idol Uttam Kumar to create one of the most famous pairs of Indian films. Smt. Sen was a legendary actress who ruled Bengali cinema for decades. Her powerful roles in films were highly acclaimed and will be remembered by generations of film lovers. During her illustrious career she was not only a recipient of Padma Shri Award but also became the first Bengali actress who was awarded 'Best Actress Award' at an international film festival. Her sad demise is a huge loss to the Indian film industry, particularly Bengali Cinema. Total Number of Companies in the Official Registry[15/01/2014] As per the records of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs there were a total of 13.59 lakh companies in the official Registry as on 30th November 2013. However, out of these as many as 2.66 lakh companies have been closed and there are 29,310 companies that are in the process of being closed. Also, as many as 1.43 lakh companies have not filed their Annual Returns/ Balance Sheets (i.e., Annual Statutory Filings) for more than 3 consecutive years, and are thus classified as ‘dormant’. As a result, there were actually about 9.20 lakh active companies as on 30th November 2013. Army Day Parade by Chief of the Army Staff[15/01/2014] An impressive parade was held at Army Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt on 15 Jan 2014 showcasing the competency of the world’s second largest military in which tanks and the latest weaponry took part. Various Regiments marched in perfect unison at the 66th Army Day. General Bikram Singh, Chief of the Army Staff reviewed the parade and bestowed awards to Officers, Junior commissioned officers and other ranks in recognition of their gallantry and distinguished service to the Army and the Nation. The Parade also revealed the might of the Indian Army by the eye catching display of OSA-AK, SMERCH and BRAHMOS Missiles. The Punch of Indian Army, the T-90 main battle tank drew applaud from the audience as it proudly rolled. The grand finale was the Combat Demonstration. Commissioning of Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS 'Abhinav'[15/01/2014] The Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Abhinav', the third in the series of twentyFast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), designed and built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited, was commissioned today at Kochi by the Director General of Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal. The 50 meter indigenous FPV displaces 290 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at economical speed of 13 knots, equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment. She makes an ideal platform for undertaking multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation. The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS) and an integrated gun mount with indigenous Fire Control System (FCS). In his address during the commissioning ceremony, Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal termed the FPVs as the work horses of Coast Guard. The Flag Officer also dwelt upon the fast paced development of the Indian Coast Guard and acknowledged the support of Government for the Coast Guard’s plan to increase force levels substantially to face the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain. He emphasised the importance Government of India accords to Coastal Security in view of the asymmetric threats from the sea. Indian Coast Guard will be a 150 ships/boats and 100 aircraft maritime force in next five years. In addition to these operational assets, a Coastal Surveillance Network is being established with 46 stations to ensure real time coastal surveillance. The ship has been named ICGS 'Abhinav', literally meaning ‘Modern’, and will be based at Kochi under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (West). Indian Defence Technologies on Display at Bahrain International Airshow[15/01/2014] India is showcasing during theBahrain International Airshow, its state-of-the-art airborne platforms and associated sensors & communication systems designed and developed by Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO). DRDO, along with some of its production partners is displaying India’s strength and expertise in design, development and leading to production at the 'Bahrain International Airshow' being held atSakhir Airbase, Bahrainfrom 16 – 18 Jan 2014, with the aim of exploring the potential of exporting these advanced systems to friendly countries in the region. The show will witness flying demonstration of the 'AEW&C India' the latest and state of the art