Current Affairs July 13, 2017

1. Delhi government to start online RTI portal

Delhi became the second state to launch e-RTI portal that will enable citizens to file online Right to Information (RTI).

• The Central government had launched its own online RTI application portal in 2013, which allowed users to file queries, pay application fee and submit requests for appeal.
• The Central government had urged the States to set up their own online application portals. Maharashtra had followed suit in 2015 with its own RTI portal.

2. Revamped NHB RESIDEX launched

Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu  released the new version of NHB RESIDEX on the occasion of the National Housing Bank entering its 30th year. 

• This component of RESIDEX, called Housing Price, Prices is based on actual market information.
• The other component of RESIDEX called as Prices based on the information furnished by banks and other lending agencies showed that prices have increased in 27 of the 50 cities surveyed.

IMPORTANT

• RESIDEX, the country’s first official housing price index (HPI) was launched in 2007 covering 26 cities and was published till March, 2015 on a quarterly basis. 
• Base year for the new RESIDEX has been moved from 2007 to 2012-13.

3. Varanasi to have an international center for research on rice varieties

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) in Varanasi.

• This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw.
• The Centre will help in utilizing the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties and achieve higher per hectare yields and improved nutritional contents.

4. Cabinet approves SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program  

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval for upgradation and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur.

• The project is being developed with ADB's loan assistance under the South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program which aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) in order to improve the regional connectivity among BBIN nations.
• The project corridor is also a part of the Asian Highway No. 01 (AH01) and acts as India's Gateway to the East.

5. India to host 8th international Theatre Olympics in 2018

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Culture and Tourism has announced that 8th edition of the greatest carnival of Theatre in the World will take place in India for the first time ever from February 17 – April 08, 2018 simultaneously in various cities across the country. 

• The Theatre Olympics, being held in India for the first time, is being organised by National School of Drama, under the aegis of Ministry of Culture.
• Points  to Remember:-
• The Theatre Olympics was established in 1993 in Delphi, Greece, as the first international theatre festival.
• In 2016 the 7th Theatre Olympics were held in Wroclaw, Poland. 

6. National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination in India (2017-22)

Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-22) at a function.

• The Strategic Plan gives year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country depending upon the endemicity of malaria in the next 5 years.
• Highlighting the salient features of the NSP, Shri Nadda stated that the strategies involve strengthening malaria surveillance, establishing a mechanism for early detection and prevention of outbreaks of malaria, promoting the prevention of malaria by the use of Long Lasting Impregnated Nets (LLINs), effective indoor residual spray and augmenting the manpower and capacities for effective implementation for the next five years. 

7. Axis Bank ties up with IIC

Axis Bank has entered into collaboration with Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) to facilitate trade with Latin America and the Caribbean.

• The private sector bank, in a statement, said it is the first Indian bank to participate in the Trade Finance Facilitation Programme as a confirming bank. IIC, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to supporting the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.

8. NABARD celebrates 36th Foundation Day

Self Help Group Bank Linkage Programme (SHG BLP), the pioneering initiative of Financial Inclusion by NABARD completed 25 years during this year and is well poised to deliver the savings and credit services at the doorstep of rural poor especially women through their self-managed institutions called SHGs.

• Commemorating this occasion, NABARD has dedicated its 36th Foundation Day to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of SHG Bank Linkage Programme. 
• With more than 8.5 crore rural women as the direct participants in this mass movement, NABARD celebrated the Silver Jubilee of SHG BLP at Vigyan Bhavan in national capital on 11th July, 2017.

9. Subhash Garg takes charge as DEA Secretary

The former Executive Director of the World Bank Subhash Chandra Garg on Wednesday assumed office as the new Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) in the Ministry of Finance.

• Garg, a 1983 batch IAS officer, has also worked in the central government in various capacities.
• He succeeds Shaktikanta Das, who retired after an extended tenure on May 31. Corporate Affairs Secretary Tapan Ray was given additional charge of DEA secretary after Das’ exit.

10. Mithali Raj becomes all-time leading run-getter in women's ODIs

India captain Mithali Raj scripted history on Wednesday as she became the all-time leading run-getter in women's one-day internationals.

• Mithali, who is leading India at the ICC Women's World Cup in England, overtook Charlotte Edwards (5992) after scoring her 34th run against Australia in Bristol.
• Incidentally, it's an Indian bowler Jhulan Goswami, with 189 wickets, who is the all-time leading wicket-taker in women's ODIs.

11. RSS CHIEF RELEASES BOOK ON LIFE OF MODI

The book on the life of Modi, titled "Narendra Damodardas Modi: The Making of a Legend", was unveiled in Delhi in the presence of Bhagwat and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah.

• The book, penned  by Bindeshwar Pathak, a Padma Bhushan recipient  known for work in Sanitation (founder of Sulabh International), is all about Modi and the journey of his life.