Current Affairs

Google Launches Video Q&A App Cameos Aimed At Celebrities

Google has launched a new video-based Q&A app called 'Cameos' on the App Store, which allows people to answer questions about themselves, then share those answers directly on Google. The app is aimed at celebrities and other public figures, who are often the subject of people’s Google searches. With the Cameos app, they can address fans’ questions in their own voice, instead of leaving the answers up to other websites.

Source- The Livemint

Catgeory: Science & Technology

Cabinet approves raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force

Union Cabinet has given approval for raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to strengthen the India’s disaster response set up. These battalions will be placed in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi National Capital Region based on their disaster vulnerability profile.

Key Facts

The objective of raising four additional battalions is to reduce response time keeping in view vast geographic area of the country. These four battalions will initially be raised as two battalions in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and one battalion each in Assam Rifles (ARs) and Border Security Force (BSF). Later these four battalions will be converted into NDRF battalions.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

NDRF is India’s elite disaster mitigation combat force established in 2006 under The Disaster Management Act, 2005. It is headquartered in New Delhi. It functions under Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It works under National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) which lays down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management. The mandated of specialized force is to undertake special disaster response, relief, rescue operations and combat roles independently in the case of an event of any disaster (natural or man-made), accident or emergency. It also assists local authorities in launching a quick rescue and response operation to save life and property. At present there are 12 battalions in NDRF which are deployed strategically across country to provide immediate response.

Catgeory: National

Cabinet approves release of pulses to States with discounted rates

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved release of pulses to States/UTs at discounted rate to be utilized for various Welfare Schemes from stock of pulses procured under Price Support Schemes (PSS). The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key Facts

Under this approved Scheme, States/UT Governments will be offered to lift 34.88 lakh MT of pulses at discounted rate over prevailing wholesale market price of sourcing state on First come first serve basis. This will be one-time dispensation for 1 year period or complete disposal of 34.88 lakh MT of pulses stock whichever is earlier. Government will spend Rs. 5,237 crore for implementation of this Scheme. The decision will enable the States/UTs to use pulses in various Welfare Schemes like Public Distribution Scheme (PDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Programmes (ICDP) etc etc. besides making available warehouses, which may be required in coming Kharif season for storage of commodities procured under PPS.

Background

Pulses production was witnessed all time high during the last 2 years in the country. Due to bumper production, Central Government also has made record procurement of pulses (45.43 lakh MT) during Kharif 2017 and Rabi 2018 marketing season under Price Support Scheme. This was coupled with increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) will require additional procurement under Price Support Scheme.

Catgeory: National

CCEA approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) beyond 12th Five Year Plan period ((2012–2017)). It will help in connecting 38,412 habitations at estimated cost of Rs. 84,934 crore. For this, fund sharing pattern between centre and states will be same (Thus, central government share will be Rs 54,900 crore and states’ share is Rs 30,034 crore).

Key Facts

Initially targets of PMGSY were to be achieved by March 2022, however, sunset date of achievement of PMGSY-I was pre-poned to March, 2019, with enhanced fund allocation and changed funding pattern i.e. in ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir) for which it is 90:10. PMGSY-II and habitations under identified LWE blocks (100-249 population) covered by March 2020. Under, PMGSY-II, against target length of 50,000 km works of upgradation almost 32,100 km road length have been sanctioned in 13 states, which have transited to PMGSY-II. 12,000 km road length has been completed up to March, 2018 against the sanctions issued.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

The scheme was launched on 25 December 2000. It aims to provide single all-weather road connectivity to all eligible unconnected habitations in rural areas with population of 500 persons and above (in plain areas) and 250 persons and above (in hilly states, desert areas, tribal areas and selected tribal and backward districts). Union Ministry of Rural Development is nodal ministry for implementation of Scheme. For this scheme, 75 paise per litre has been earmarked out of cess levied on high speed diesel. It considers habitation as unit for providing connectivity and not revenue village. The scheme encourages use of green technologies and non-conventional materials (like waste plastic, geo-textiles, fly-ash, iron and copper slag etc) for constructing rural roads.

Catgeory: National

76th anniversary of Quit India Movement observed on August 8

76th anniversary of Quit India movement was observed on August 8th, 2018. On this day in 1942, Mahatma Gandhi (father of the nation) had gave clarion call of Do or Die to all Indians to drive away Britishers from the country.

Quit India Movement

Quit India Movement (Bharat Chhodo Andolan or August Movement or August Kranti) was an important milestone in the Indian freedom struggle. It was civil disobedience movement launched at Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942 demanding an end to British Rule of India. It was launched after Mahatma Gandhi had made a call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech delivered in Bombay at the Gowalia Tank Maidan on 7 August 1942. The movement called for India’s immediate independence and aimed to force British Government to negotiating table by holding Allied war effort hostage. By launching this movement, Gandhiji hoped to bring British government to negotiating table as Cripps Mission had failed and give strong footing against sending Indians to fight on behalf of Britain in World War II. Quit India Resolution drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru and was moved by him on 8th August 1942 in AICCC session and Sardar Patel seconded it. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, people across India came together to uproot imperialism.

Catgeory: National

International Day Of The World's Indigenous Peoples: 9 August

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed across the world on August 9 with an aim to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as human rights, the environment, education, health and social development. The theme of 2018 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was ‘Indigenous peoples’ migration and movement’.

Source- The United Nations

Catgeory: Important Days

Khangchendzonga Becomes 11th Biosphere Reserve To Be Included In WNBR

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (in Sikkim) has become the 11th Biosphere Reserve from Indiathat has been included in the UNESCO designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The decision to include Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in WNBR was taken at the 30th Session of International Coordinating Council (ICC) of Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO held at Palembang, Indonesia. India has 18 Biosphere Reserves and with the inclusion of Khangchendzonga, the number of internationally designated WNBR has become 11, with 7 Biosphere Reserves being domestic Biosphere Reserves.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Catgeory: National

Ivan Duque Sworn In As Colombia’s Next President

Ivan Duque was sworn in as the newly elected President of Colombia. He pledged to unite the country and improve economic growth. He pledged changes to tackle corruption and invigorate the economy and vowed to change the peace deal with the FARC rebel group.

Source- DD News

Catgeory: International

MoU Signed Between TRIFED And National Medicinal Plant Board

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs & National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH have signed an MoU together. The MoU aims to promote Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) forest produced for livelihood development of tribal people by promoting primary level value addition to MAPs produce from forest area at the grassroots level.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Catgeory: Agreements

Important Cabinet Approvals: 9th August 2018

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows-

The Cabinet has approved-

Approved the extension of the term of the Commission to examine the issue of Sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes in the Central List till November 2018.

MoU between India and Indonesia on Health cooperation.

Creation of two posts equivalent to Joint Secretary level in the Interpreters' cadre of the Ministry of External Affairs.

MoU between "Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)" and "Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada).

MoU between India and Korea on Trade Remedy Cooperation.

Joint issue of postage stamp between India and South Africa.

MoU between India and Indonesia on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to strengthen the India's disaster response set up at an estimated cost of Rs 637 crore.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Catgeory: Agreements

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