SH- Current Affairs Update 29th, Jan 2018

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Indian Affairs

Economic Survey 2018:

FM Jaitley tables Economic Survey in Parliament.

Economic Survey sees FY19 GDP growing 7-7.5% vs 6.75% in FY18.

India and Cambodia Ink 4 Agreements:

India and Cambodia signed four agreements in the field of cultural exchange, an exchange line of credit of $26.9 million, memorandum of understanding to cooperate in legal matter and an agreement on prevention of human trafficking.

The documents were exchanged in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Cambodian PM Hun Sen following delegation-level talks between the two countries. New Delhi has agreed to set up a centre of IT excellence in Cambodia.

Important: Cambodian Capital- Phnom Penh

Currency- Cambodian riel.

Himachal CM Launches 'Shakti' App for Women's Safety:

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur launched the ‘Shakti’ app for women’s safety in the state. The app was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) of the Himachal Pradesh government.

It would be available in both Hindi and English languages and would not require internet connectivity. The main objective of the launch of the app and the helpline is to fight crimes against women in the state.

Important:

Himachal Pradesh Governor-: Acharya Dev Vrat

SH- Current Affairs Update 27th, Jan 2018

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

India, Cambodia decide to boost defence ties, ink 4 pacts:

On January 27, 2018, India and Cambodia inked following four pacts, post comprehensive talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Visiting Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Sen.

• India signed a pact for Cultural Exchange Programme with Cambodia for the year 2018-2022.
• Export-Import Bank of India will extend $36.92 million Line of Credit to finance the Stung Sva Hab Water Resource Development Project in Cambodia.

Jammu Kashmir Student Exchange Programme Maitreyi Yatra concludes:

Jammu & Kashmir Student Exchange programme ‘Maitreyi Yatra’ concluded on January 26, 2018 in New Delhi.

About ‘Maitreyi Yatra’:

• Student Exchange Programme is organized by Ministry of Human Resource development with an objective to acquaint the youth of Jammu & Kashmir with culture, language and development of different parts of India.
• Under Jammu & Kashmir Student Exchange programme ‘Maitreyi Yatra’, nearly 500 students of Jammu & Kashmir from Class IX to Class XII along with 50 supervisors visited Delhi on January 18, 2018. 
• During their stay, the students of Jammu & Kashmir were paired with ten governments and one private school. They also went for Delhi Darshan and visited Delhi University, IIT Delhi, Railway Museum, Rajghat, Red Fort and many other places of historical & cultural importance.
• Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar was the chief guest for the closing ceremony of ‘Maitreyi Yatra’.

21st India International Seafood Show Opens in Goa:

21st India International Seafood Show (IISS) opened in Margao, Goa on January 27, 2018. This event was inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

21st India International Seafood Show (IISS):

·         IISS is a biennial event which serves as a common meeting point for various stakeholders of marine products sector such as producers, processing machinery manufacturers, processors,  and technical experts.

·         Focial theme of 21st IISS is ‘Safe & Sustainable Seafood from India’.

·         It has been jointly organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI). MPEDA is the nodal agency of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

·         During the course of this three-day event, leaders and experts of marine products sector will deliberate on policies, market trends, technology and action plan to achieving an export target of US$ 10 billion by 2022.

SH- CURRENT AFFAIRS UPDATE JANUARY MONTH, 2018

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SH- Current Affairs Update 22nd, Jan 2018

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban Launches Smart Star-Rating for Garbage Free Cities

On January 20, 2018, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri along with the Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar launched the ‘Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities’ in Goa.

Information about Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities:

i. This seven star-rating system has been developed by the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban.

ii. Under this system, cities will be assessed on multiple cleanliness indicators for solid waste management . Some of the indicators are door to door collection, source segregation, bulk generator compliance, sweeping, scientific processing of waste, scientific land filling, plastic waste management and dump remediation.

iii. Based on the assessment, cities can be rated as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 star in accordance with the protocol conditions specified for each of the rating.

iv. This is a SMART rating (Single metric, Measurable, Achievable, Rigorous verification, Targeted towards outcomes) system that provides stakeholders with a single metric to rate a city’s cleanliness.

President Ram Nath Kovind approves disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs for Holding Office of Profit

On 21^st January 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind approved disqualification of 20 MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for holding offices of profit.

Disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs:

i. Accepting recommendations of the Election Commission (EC) President Ram Nath Kovind has disqualified 20 members of the Delhi legislative assembly.

ii. The AAP MLAs were appointed as parliamentary secretaries. The Election Commission has stated that, being parliamentary secretaries, they held office of profit and they should be disqualified as MLAs of the Delhi Assembly.

iii. The members who have been disqualified are: Praveen Kumar, Sharad Kumar, Adarsh Shastri, Madan Lal, Charan Goel, Sarita Singh, Naresh Yadav, Jarnail Singh, Rajesh Gupta, Alka Lamba, Nitin Tyagi, Sanjeev Jha, Kailash Gehlot, Vijendera Garg, Rajesh Rishi, Anil Kumar Vajpayee, Somdutt, Sukhvir Singh, Avtar Singh Kalka and Manoj Kumar.

About Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):

♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

♦ Leader – Arvind Kejriwal

♦ Founded – 2012

India’s automated ocean pollution system to begin operation from April

S S C Shenoi, Director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has stated that India will soon have its own automated ocean pollution observation system.

Details about India’s automated ocean pollution system:

i. This new ocean data acquisition system (called automated moorings), which is expected to be functional in April 2018 will not only help in tracking ocean pollution levels but will also offer insights on how the marine system is changing.

ii. Estimated cost for setting up this system is Rs 100 crore.

iii. After being fully operational, this system will do away with the present practice of collecting water samples from sea and studying their pollution levels thereafter.

Quick Facts about INCOIS:

♦ Established in – 1999

♦ Located in – Hyderabad, Telangana

♦ Functions under – Union Ministry of Earth Sciences

SH- Current Affairs Update 12th, Jan 2018

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates National Youth Festival
On January 12, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the events of the National Youth Festival (NYF) through Video conferencing. This is the 22^nd edition of National Youth Festival. 
i. 22^nd National Youth Festival is a five-day event being held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh from 12^thto 16^th January, 2018.
ii. Theme of 22^ndNational Youth Festival is ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’. The theme reflects country’s aspiration to capitalize on the demographic dividend of young India.

Kerala Government permits prisoners to donate organs
On 11^th January 2018, the Kerala government gave permission to prisoners in Kerala jails to donate organs to their close relatives.
Kerala Government permits prisoners to donate organs:
i. This decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister.
ii. Permission must be taken from the concerned court and medical board for the convicted prisoner to make organ donation.
iii. Also, necessary amendments are to be made in the Kerala prisons correctional services act 2014.
iv. The period of admission in hospital will be taken as parole period for the prisoner. The hospital expenses will be taken care by the jail authorities.
v.In the statement it is clearly mentioned that ‘no relaxation in prison term’ for the prisoner performing organ donation will be provided.
About Indian Dental Association (IDA):
♦ Headquarters – Mumbai
♦ President – Dr. Vishwas Puranik

4th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry held in New Delhi
4th ASEAN-INDIA Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry was held in New Delhi on January 12, 2018. Abbreviation ASEAN stands for Association of SouthEast Asian Nations.

Highlights of 4th ASEAN-INDIA Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry:
i. The Meeting was Co-chaired by Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India and Grisada Boonrach, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand
ii. Objective of the meeting was to promote joint research for development of technologies for increasing production and productivity of crops, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources management in the ASEAN region.
iii. Discussions during the meeting also focused on enhancing cooperation on exchange of expertise to promote resilience in food security and to address the price volatility of food supplies in the region..
iv. 5^th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry will be held in Brunei Darussalam in 2019.
Quick Facts about ASEAN:
♦ Founded in – 1967
♦ Secretariat – Jakarta, Indonesia
♦ Current Secretary General – Lim Jock Hoi

Niti Aayog to provide rankings to 115 aspirational districts
At the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ conference, held in New Delhi in first week of January 2018, NITI Aayog said it will come out with a ranking of 115 aspirational districts by April 2018.
More Information about Rankings of 115 aspirational districts:
i. In this context, aspirational districts refer to selected 115 backward districts that are lagging on specific development parameters.
ii. Central Government has undertaken a major policy initiative for rapid transformation of these districts and senior government officials have been assigned responsibility to coordinate the efforts of the Centre and states in facilitating development in such districts.
iii. NITI Aayog will rank these districts on 10 parameters which will include education, nutrition and health.
iv. A dashboard will be created, which will reflect the change in ranking of districts on continuous basis.
v. By April 2018, NITI Aayog will also set up a mechanism for real-time monitoring of government’s development programmes.
Quick Facts about NITI Aayog:
♦ Founded in – January 2015
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Chairman (ex officio) – Prime Minister of India

Election Commission sets up panel under Umesh Sinha to suggest new poll rules
The Election Commission has formed a 14-member panel to study the usage of social media and other digital platforms before elections and to suggest modifications in the Model Code of Conduct.

14-member panel set up under Umesh Sinha:
i. Currently, the Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act bans all campaigning 48 hours before voting. The new panel will suggest changes to thisin 3 months.
ii. Umesh Sinha, Deputy Election Commissioner, will be the head of the panel. It will comprise of 8 Election Commission officers, 1 member each from the ministries of information and broadcasting, law, and information and technology, 1 senior representative each from the National Broadcasters Association and the Press Council of India.
iii. The panel will also suggest regulations required for several media platforms in the 48-hour period before voting.
About Election Commission of India:
♦ Chief Election Commissioner of India – Achal Kumar Jyoti
♦ Election Commissioners of India – Om Prakash Rawat, Sunil Arora

SH- Current Affairs Update 11th, Jan 2018

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Governors’ committee submits report to President Kovind

On January 10, 2018, Committee of Governors submitted a report, titled ‘Rajyapal —Vikas Ke Rajdoot: Catalytic Role of Governors as Agents for Change in Society’ to President Ram Nath Kovind.

i. The report outlines best practices that have been adopted by offices of Governors, issues and an action-outcome framework to deal with them.

ii. The report suggests that governors should play a mentoring role in overall implementation of developmental schemes in their respective states.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways signs MoU with Transport for London

On January 10, 2018, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ‘Transport for London’ (TFL) in New Delhi.

Details about Ministry of Road Transport & Highways – Transport for London (TFL) MoU:

i. Under this MoU, expertise of TFL will be used to revamp the public transport system in India. 

ii. TFL is a statutory agency that manages the transport system for Greater London. It has been responsible for creating a strong and dependable public transport system in the city.

iii. The MoU will focus on capacity augmentation, improving customer services, conducting scientific data analysis, promoting digital transactions in ticketing and implementing effective IT systems in Indian transport sector.

iv. Emphasis will also be laid on use of electric vehicles in public transport and adopting public-private partnership (PPP) models for operations.

West Bengal government launches water ATM Project in city and suburbs

On 10^th January 2018, West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development and Public Health Engineering minister Subrata Mukherjee announced the launch of water ATM project to ensure bacteria-free drinking water in schools.

Water ATM project in West Bengal:

i. Water ATMs are being set up in the city and suburbs of West Bengal. The machines are made in Germany.

ii. Pilot projects have been launched in some parts of Kolkata already. Nearly 50 water ATMs are to be set up in Kolkata.

iii. Mainly, schools and hospitals will be covered under this project. This project is carried out with the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

iv. Subrata Mukherjee said that, if anyone proves the presence of harmful bacteria in any of the water ATMs, they will be handed Rs 2 lakh.

About Asian Development Bank (ADB):

♦ President – Takehiko Nakao

♦ Headquarters – Metro Manila, Philippines

CABE sub-committee recommends free education for girls up to PG level

A sub-committee of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) looking into the issues of girl education in India has recommended free and compulsory education for girls up to post-graduate level across India.

Information related to CABE sub-committee recommendations:

i. This sub-committee of CABE was formed by Union Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry in February 2017. It is headed by Telangana’s Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Kadiyam Srihari.

ii. Announcement pertaining to the recommendation of free and compulsory education for girls was made after sub-committee’s meeting which was attended by Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Jharkhand Education Minister Neera Yadav, Human Resources Development Department Special Secretary, Rinarayi and Member Secretary Meenakshi Garg.

iii. In the interim report which will be submitted to Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar on January 15, 2018 sub-committee has made several recommendations including setting up exclusive residential degree colleges for Schedules Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes (ST)  women and provision of health and hygiene kits for girls.

Bhopal Becomes 1st Railway Station to have Sanitary napkin Vending Machine

On January 1, 2018, Bhopal station has become the first railway station in the country to have Sanitary napkin Vending Machine.

Sanitary napkin Vending Machine at Bhopal Railway Station:

i. This machine has been named ‘Happy Nari’.

ii. It was installed by the Railway Women Welfare Association of Bhopal division with help from a local NGO ‘Arushi’.

iii. Women passengers can get two napkin for just in Rs. 5 from this machine.

iv. The machine has a capacity of storing 75 sanitary napkins at once. It will be refilled by a female staff attendant at the waiting room.

v. Total cost of setting up the machine (including monitoring staff’s compensation and sanitary napkins) was only Rs. 20,000.

India misses 2017 deadline for Kala Azar elimination

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the General Budget 2017-18 said that the Government has prepared an action plan to eliminate Kala-Azar by 2017.

Kala-Azar Elimination:

i. Kala-azar also known as black fever, and Dumdum fever is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a single-celled parasite of the Leishmania family.

ii. India has not only missed Kala–Azar elimination deadline announced by Finance Minister, but Kala- Azar endemic blocks have increased from 61 to 68 in 17 districts of Bihar and Jharkhand.

iii. However, according to Dr P K Sen of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), active case findings rather than an actual increase in the disease is the reason for increase in number of endemic blocks.

iv. Elimination in this context is defined as reducing the annual incidence of Kala Azar (KA) to less than 1 case per 10000 people at the sub-district level.

v. Health Ministry officials are of the view that pending construction of concrete houses since 2001-02, was the primary reason behind the failure to control this disease.

Prez Kovind inaugurates three-day 4th International Dharma Dhamma conference

On January 11, 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated 4th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference on “State and Social Order in Dharma-Dhamma Traditions” at Rajgir in Nalanda district of Bihar.

Details about 4th International Dharma Dhamma conference:

i. This conference has been organised by Nalanda University, in collaboration with the India Foundation, Centre for Study of Religion and Society, Vietnam Buddhist University and Union Ministry of External Affairs.

ii. It is a part of the commemorative events to celebrate the Silver Jubilee year of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership.

iii. Other dignitaries who will attend this three-day event include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik, Kingdom of Thailand’s Minister for Culture, Vira Rojpojchanarat and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Assignments Tilak Marapana

iv. The conference will conclude on January 13, 2018.

SH- Current Affairs Update 10th, Jan 2018

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Cabinet Approvals On January 10, 2018
In a bid to liberalise and simplify the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and to provide ease of doing business in India, Union Cabinet has approved a number of amendments in the existing policy.
i. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in Science & Technology
ii. Cabinet approves implementation of CCEA decision on closure of Tungabhadra Steel Products Limited
iii. Cabinet approves continuation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme till the term of the 14^th  Finance Commission i.e. till March 31, 2020.
iv. Cabinet has approved proposal to amend Section 4(1) and Section 5(1) of the National Trust for the Welfare of Person with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

India, Indonesia hold 1st security dialogue, vow to combat terrorism
On January 9, 2018, India and Indonesia held their first bilateral security dialogue in NewDelhi
i. During the dialogue, India and Indonesia agreed on operational cooperation in security and counter-terrorism.
ii. Indian side was led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval  while Indonesian side was led by H Wiranto, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.
iii. At the 5th Indonesia-India joint commission meeting in Jakarta, held in first week of January 2018 during Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s Indonesia visit, both countries had agreed to strengthen strategic partnerships across various key areas, including defence, security, maritime and economy.
Quick Facts about Indonesia:
♦ Capital – Jakarta
♦ Currency – Indonesia rupiah
♦ Current President – Joko Widodo
♦ Important Rivers – Mahakam, Citarum

Supreme Court stays High Court verdict against 85% pictorial warning on tobacco
On January 8, 2018, Supreme Court of India stayed a Karnataka High Court orderquashing 85% pictorial warnings on packets of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Information about Pictorial Warning on packets of cigarettes and other tobacco products:
i. On December 15, 2017, Karnataka High Court had struck down the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2014 which mandated 85% pictorial warning on tobacco products packaging space.
ii .A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud stated that it was “unimpressed” with the submissions of the Tobacco Institute of India (TII) asserting that the stay would infringe tobacco manufacturers’ fundamental right to do business.
iii .The bench is of the opinion that health of citizens should be accorded highest priority.
iv. In context of this news, it is to be noted that as per a report by World Health Organisation (WHO), pictorial warnings prove to be very effective especially in creating awareness among illiterate consumers.

Panel under B.R. Sharma to take a call on national anthem in cinema halls
Union Home Ministry has appointed a 12-member inter-ministerial committee to recommend changes in the existing law of playing of the national anthem in cinema halls and public places.
Details of the inter-ministerial committee:
i. The committee is headed by B.R. Sharma, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
ii. Other members of this committee include officers of the Joint Secretary rank representing Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Culture, External Affairs, Women and Child Development, Parliamentary Affairs, Human Resource Development, Law and Information and Broadcasting, Minority Affairs and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
iii. First meeting of this committee will be held on January 19, 2018 and it will submit its final report within six months.
iv. This committee has been formed in wake of Supreme Courts observation – ‘it could not be assumed that if a person did not stand up for the national anthem, he or she was “less patriotic.”
v. The committee will make recommendations in context of existing Acts and orders relating to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

SH- Current Affairs Update 9th, Jan 2018

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Central Government notifies the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017
On January 3, 2018, Central Government notified the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017. Certain provisions of this amendment act will ease the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.
Key Provisions of Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017:
i. As per Section 53 of the Companies Act, 2013 companies were prohibited to issue shares at a discount. Amendment Act has now allowed companies to issue shares at a discount to its creditors in instances wherein its debt is converted into shares as part of any statutory resolution plan/debt restructuring under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. 
ii. For defaulting companies, payment of managerial remuneration in excess of 11 percent of the net profits will now require approval of all stakeholders involved viz. banks, public financial institutions and other creditors.
iii. The amendment has also modified provision relating to registered valuer from undertaking valuation of any assets in which he has a direct or indirect interest.

Territorial Army battalion of ex-Armymen to clean Ganga
Central Government has sanctioned the raising of a Territorial Army (TA) battalion for cleaning River Ganga. This battalion will comprise only of ex-servicemen of the army.
Details about Territorial Army battalion to clean Ganga:
i. This battalion will be raised in February 2018 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, as a Composite Ecological Task Force (CETF) battalion of Territorial Army (TA).
ii. Central Government has allocated Rs 167 crore for this battalion.
iii. The CETF TA battalion will be headed by a Colonel-rank officer. It will have eight officers, 20 Junior Commissioned Officer (JCOs) and around 500 other ranks on its roll.
iv. It is to be noted that Territorial Army is considered as India’s second line of defence after the regular Army. Territorial Army functions under Union Defence Ministry.

Bihar Government bans electronic cigarettes
Bihar State Government has imposed a ban on manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, display and advertisement of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) across the state.

i. E-cigarettes are handheld battery-run devices which are smoked just like a conventional cigarette. However the ingredient (in liquid form) may differ.
ii. The ban also applies to online sale and purchase of e-cigarettes.
iii. It is to be noted Bihar has already imposed ban on manufacture, distribution, trade, sale, purchase, display and advertisement of all tobacco products and items containing nicotine and not approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI).
Quick Facts about Bihar:
♦ Capital – Patna
♦ Current Governor – Satya Pal Malik
♦ Current Chief Minister – Nitish Kumar
♦ Important National Park – Valmiki National Park

SH- Current Affairs Update 8th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,
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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Govt proposes rolling out e-Sansad, e-Vidhan in Parliament & State Legislatures
18th All India Whips’ Conference began in Udaipur, Rajasthan on January 8, 2018. The two-day conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Ananth kumar.
About e-Sansad and e-Vidhan projects:
i. Among other things, rolling out of e-Sansad and e-Vidhan in Parliament and State Legislatures will also be considered during the course of the conference.
ii. e-Sansad and e-Vidhan are Government of India’s projects under Digital India, aimed at making the functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures paperless.
iii .Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of e-Sansad and e-Vidhan projects.
iv. These projects would not only make the functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures participative, transparent, responsive, productive and more accountable but will also promote Government of India’s  ‘Go Green’ initiative.

BSES launches rooftop solar single-point for apartment complexes
On January 7, 2018, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (one of Delhi’s two electricity distribution companies) launched “Solar City Initiative”, aimed to maximise rooftop solar power use in south and west Delhi.

BSES Rajdhani’s ‘Solar City Initiative’:
i. Under this initiative, rooftop solar installations will be provided at a single point for the entire apartment complex unlike conventional method of having individual installations.
ii. This initiative has been launched in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) PACE-D and Indo-German Collaboration (GIZ).
iii. Around 150 residential societies will be targeted in the first phase. Depending on the response, the programme will be expanded to other residential segments across Delhi.
iv .From cosumers’ perspective, these installation may lead to monthly saving on bills of about Rs 750 for a period of 25 years

Delhi govt launches common card for bus, metro rides
On January 8, 2018, Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal launched a common card for rides on public buses and the metro.
Delhi Govt’s common card for bus, metro rides:
i. Delhi is thus the first city in India to have such common mobility card.
ii. This card can be used at on 200 Delhi transport Corporation (DTC) and 50 cluster buses running on different routes as well as on metro trains.
iii. The common card can also function like a debit card. It will be operational in all DTC and cluster buses from April 1, 2018.

PM Narendra Modi attends Annual DGP Conference at BSF Academy in Tekanpur
On 7^th and 8^th January 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the Annual Conference of DGPs and IGPs at the BSF (Border Security Force) Academy in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Annual Conference of DGPs and IGPs:
i. The DGPs Conference is conducted annually. It has participation from top police officials from all over India. They discuss issues related to security matters.
ii. This Annual DGP Conference is held outside the national capital in line with Prime Minister’s vision to conduct such conferences all over India, not restricted only to Delhi.
About BSF Academy Tekanpur:
♦ Dircetor – Sunil Kumar Verma
♦ Motto of BSF – Duty Unto Death

Uttar Pradesh govt restricts use of loudspeakers at religious, public places
Uttar Pradesh State Government has directed all District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to take action against unauthorised loudspeakers and public address systems installed at religious and public places.
i. The officials have been directed to conduct a survey for the same and submit a detailed report to State Government on January 10, 2018.
ii. Those using loudspeakers without approval should obtain permission by January 15, 2018, failing which, action will be taken against them under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
iii. All unauthorised equipments would be removed by January 20, 2018 in accordance with direction of the Allahabad High Court.
Quick Facts about Uttar Pradesh:
♦ Capital – Lucknow
♦ Current Governor – Ram Naik
♦ Current Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
♦ Important National Park – Dudhwa National Park