SH- Current Affairs Update 27th, Feb 2018

Dear Aspirants,

‘SRIJAN’ has been launched at MyGov portal

Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) is taking up redevelopment of around 600 major Railway stations across the country.

• In this mega exercise, assistance and involvement of all stakeholders i.e. railway passengers, urban planners, architects, engineers is important.
• Towards this objective of stakeholders’ consultation, an idea competition for development of 635 stations on Indian Railways, ‘SRIJAN’ (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint ActioN) has been launched at MyGov portal since 26.01.2018.
• The last date for submission of entries in this competition is 26.03.2018. The winners will get certificates and worthy ideas will be incorporated in the designs.  

Intermodal Stations to come up in 15 cities

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has conducted detailed pre-feasibility studies for setting up Intermodal Stations at Nagpur and Varanasi, and the development of DPRs for this is in final stages of completion.

• Fifteen cities across the country have been prioritized for development of IMS of which Nagpur and Varanasi have been selected as pilot projects.
• Intermodal Stations are terminal infrastructure which integrate various transportation modes like rail, road, mass rapid transit system, bus rapid transit, inland waterways, auto-rickshaws, taxis and private vehicles etc, so that people can move from one mode to another seamlessly, with minimum use of automobiles. 

CSIR signs MoU with IORA: CSIR-CIMAP to host coordinating center on medicinal plants

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has entered into a MoU with the Regional Center for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for designating Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow (CSIR-CIMAP) as Coordinating Center on Medicinal Plants.

• The MoU was signed by Prof. Anil Kumar Tripathi, Director CSIR-CIMAP and Dr. A. Sedrpousan, Director, IORA-RCSTT. 
• The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR. 
• The delegation also attended the 31st Khwarizmi International Award Ceremony which was addressed by H.E. Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• The IORA Center at CSIR-CIMAP will establish a database on the important medicinal plants, their value added products, related experts and industries of the IORA member states and organize meetings and training programmes to promote trade, commerce and scientific exchanges to complement the strength and limitation of the member states.

7th meeting of EPG on Nepal-India relations concludes

The seventh meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India relations has concluded in Kathmandu.

• Various bilateral issues including 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, environment, border and hydropower were discussed during two-day meeting.

Important:

• EPG is a joint mechanism consisting experts and intellectuals from India and Nepal.
• It was set up in February 2016 to provide suggestions for updating all existing bilateral treaties and agreements between both the countries.
• Next meeting of the group will be held in New Delhi.

Bihar is national topper in FY17 growth, with 10.3 pc

Bihar clocked a growth rate of 10.3 per cent in 2016-2017 as against 7.5 per cent in the corresponding fiscal a year ago, according to the latest Economic Survey tabled in the state Assembly.

• Bihar's growth rate is higher than that of the national average of 7.0 per cent, the 12th Economic Survey of Bihar said.
• The state has consistently been revenue surplus, which increased from Rs 5,101 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 10,819 crore in 2016-17.

Centre names 9,500 ‘high risk’ NBFCs

The government has categorised about 9,500 non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in the country as “high risk” prone as they had not complied with a stipulated provision of the anti-money laundering law.

• A list of 9,491 “high risk financial institutions” has been published by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) that functions under the Union Finance Ministry.

Michael McCormack becomes Australia deputy PM

A former regional newspaper editor, Michael McCormack, has been chosen as Australia's new deputy prime minister.

• He replaces Barnaby Joyce as leader of the Nationals, the governing coalition's junior partner.
• Mr Joyce resigned over his affair with a former staffer, after holding the post for two years.

Aruna wins bronze at Gymnastics World Cup

Aruna Budda Reddy became the first Indian gymnast to clinch an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne by securing bronze in the women's vault.

• Reddy, 22, scored 13.649 to finish behind gold medallist Tjasa Kysslef of Slovania and Emily Whitehead of Australia who took silver.
• The other Indian woman in contention, Pranati Nayak finished sixth with a score of 13.416.

Former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanian Dies At 79

Former cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian has passed away aged 79, officials said.

• Mr Subramanian was the cabinet secretary from August 1, 1996, to March 31, 1998.
• Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (MoS) for Personnel Jitendra Singh and other senior IAS officers have condoled his death.