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Current Affairs – June 14, 2018

S.No Topic Page Number

1 Important Days 2

2 World News 3 - 4

3 National News 5 - 7

4 State News 8 - 10

5 Banking & Economy 11 - 12

6 Sports 13

7 Appointments & Resignation 14

8 Science and Technology 15

9 Obtiuaries 16

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Important Days

World Blood Donor Day – 14 June 2018

On 14 June 2018, World Blood Donor Day was celebrated all over the world.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June. This day is observed to

thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for blood donations and to create awareness on

regular blood donations.

Regular blood donations will ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and

blood products for patients in need.

The theme of World Blood Donor Day 2018 is: blood donation as an action of solidarity.

The slogan for World Blood Donor Day 2018 is: “Be there for someone else. Give blood.

Share life”.

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World News

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates BEL representative office in Vietnam

On 13th June 2018, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the first

Representative Office of Navratna Defence Public Sector Unit Bharat Electronics Limited

(BEL) in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Nirmala Sitharaman gave the symbolic key of the Representative Office of BEL at

Vietnam (VIRO) to Chairman & Managing Director, BEL Gowtama MV during the

Vietnam-India Defence Industry Business Meeting.

Ambassador of India to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam P Harish, Secretary (Defence

Production), Dr. Ajay Kumar and other senior officials of India and Vietnam Defence

forces were present during the occasion.

BEL is India’s leading defence electronics company. It is expanding its global presence in

South East Asian countries like the Republic of Union of Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia,

Thailand and Philippines.

Now BEL has set up its first Representative Office at Vietnam for addressing export

business opportunities and to offer product support and services to users in that area.

The Representative Office will promote BEL’s exports in Weapon Systems, Radar

Systems, Naval Systems, Military Communication Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems,

Combat Management System and Coastal Surveillance System.

India-US colloquium on Earth Observations and Sciences for Society and Economy

inaugurated in Goa

The 2nd edition of India-US colloquium on Earth Observations and Sciences for Society

and Economy has been inaugurated at the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography

(CSIR-NIO), Dona Paula, Goa.

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It is being organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, CSIR-NIO and the US National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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National News

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority organized a Conference on

Implementation of National Pension System (NPS) for Central Autonomous Body (CAB)

On June 14, 2018, A Conference on Implementation of National Pension System (NPS)

by the Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs) was organized by Pension Fund Regulatory

and Development Authority (PFRDA).

To provide a forum to all the Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs) where the progress in

the implementation of NPS could be done.

To ensure that NPS works efficiently and pensions are served effectively.

Currently there are 557 CABs which have about 1.73 lacs subscribers and about

Rs.11800 crores of Assets under Management (AUM).

Theinitiative of PFRDA for holding this Conference exclusively for Central Autonomous

Bodies would provide two-way communications between stakeholders for the ultimate

benefit of the subscribers.

Concession Agreement Signed for development of sewage infrastructure through Hybrid

Annuity based public-private partnership in Mathura

On 13th June 2018, a tripartite Concession Agreement was signed between National

Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), UP Jal Nigam and Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd.

to develop an Integrated Sewage Infrastructure for Mathura on the Hybrid Annuity-

based PPP mode, in New Delhi.

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,

Shipping, Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, presided over the signing of the

agreement.

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Also, an agreement was signed between NMCG and Indian Oil Corporation Limited

(IOCL) for the reuse of 2 crore litres per day of treated sewage water by IOCL’s refinery

in Mathura.

The Mathura sewage project is India’s first Integrated Sewage Infrastructure project

based on One City – One-Operator concept. This project integrates building of new STPs

(sewage treatment plant) and maintenance of existing infrastructure under one

operator for the entire city.

Also, in this project the treated sewage water will be reused by IOCL. This project is

based on Hybrid Annuity Mode, the third of this type in this sector after the HAM based

STPs that are being developed in Haridwar and Varanasi.

India ranks 177 in Environmental Performance Index 2018

India has been ranked at 177 out of 180 countries in the 2018 Environmental

Performance Index (EPI).

India has become the fourth worst country in the world with an air quality score of 5.75

out of 100. India was placed at 141 out of 180 in 2016.

India ranked only better in environmental performance than the Democratic Republic of

Congo, Bangladesh and Burundi.

The top five countries in terms of green rankings are Switzerland, France, Denmark,

Malta and Sweden.

PM Modi inaugurates Integrated Command and Control Centre

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the Integrated Command and

Control Centre set up at Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh during his day-long visit to the

state.

The centre will control and monitor online water and power supply, sanitation, traffic

movement, integrated building management, city connectivity and Internet

infrastructure, under one roof. The monitoring of Naya Raipur city will also be carried

out from the facility.

The ICCC, Naya Raipur becomes the 10th Smart City Centre to be operational in the

country. Under the ambitious Smart City Mission, ICCC in 9 cities are already operational

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including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Pune, Nagpur, Rajkot, Visakhapatnam, Bhopal

and Kakinada.

The prime minister also dedicated to the nation the modernized and expanded Bhilai

Steel Plant, laid the foundation stone of IIT, Bhilai and launched phase -2 of Bharat Net

Project.

He also inaugurated the air services between Jagdalpur and Raipur under UDAAN

scheme through video link at programme organized in Bhilai.

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State News

Mizoram government to bring resolution against Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016

On 13th June 2018, the Mizoram government decided to introduce a resolution in the

state legislature objecting to the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.

The council of ministers made the unanimous decision in a cabinet meeting. Mizoram

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said in the meeting that Union Home Minister Rajnath

Singh was earlier informed by Mizoram government of its objection to the Citizenship

Amendment Bill, 2016.

The government, all political parties, and the NGOs opposed the Bill mentioning that if it

is legislated, the amendment will legalise thousands of Buddhists (Chakmas) who have

illegally entered Mizoram from Bangladesh.

Also, the cabinet approved the Sinlung Hills Council Bill, 2018. A special session of the

Assembly will be held on 27th June 2018 to pass a legislation.

The proposed formation of the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) is a result of the peace accord

signed by Mizoram government and the erstwhile underground Hmar People’s

Convention (Democratic) on 2 April 2018.

This resulted in laying down of arms by 114 Hmar militants on 13th April 2018. The

tenure of the interim council will be 6 months.

After that a formal election will be held. Also, the peace accord states that the present

Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) will be renamed as SHC and will be given

more political and financial autonomy.

Maharashtra government, Quebec province sign pact to increase economic cooperation,

welfare of tribals

An MoU has been signed by the Maharashtra government and Canada’s Quebec

province to enhance economic cooperation, mainly in areas namely information

technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and welfare of the tribal community.

The agreement was signed by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadanvis and

Philippe Couillard, prime minister of Quebec province of Canada.

Discusssion was held on ways to increase collaboration in knowledge-sharing on ports as

Maharashtra has the strength of majority of youngest population.

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Devendra Fadnavis also met Pierre Beaudoin, chairman of the Board Corporate office of

Bombardier Inc. This company is a multinational aerospace and transportation

company. It is the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft and trains in Quebec.

Devendra Fadnavis and a delegation of bureaucrats are on a tour to Dubai, Canada and

USA to get business for Maharashtra. The tour will last for a week.

Devendra Fadnavis also met Michael Sabia, President and CEO of CDPQ. CDPQ is

Institutional Fund Manager. It manages funds more than $298 billion.

The meeting was aimed to attract more investment in Pension Fund from Canada. CDPQ

agreed to tie up with some companies in India.

It also expressed interest in working with retail partners. Devendra Fadanvis put forth

Maharashtra Samruddhi Corridor, logistic parks and few other projects as great options

for investment.

He said that Bombardier Inc has offered support to the Maharashtra Metro and

Monorail Transport Infrastructure.

Tamil Nadu Government announces sops for MSME sector

On 13th June 2018, Tamil Nadu government announced sops for several sectors like

Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

Establishment of an agency to attract foreign investment and cooperation in state

MSMEs was also included.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said that, the proposed MSME agency will

work on attracting investment, and obtaining foreign cooperation for such units.

It will operate as a coordinating agency for offering single window clearance for MSMEs

in Tamil Nadu, to make agreements with trade and industry bodies and those proposing

investment policies.

Two women battalions of Jammu and Kashmir Police to be raised

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the creation of two women Battalions

for Jammu and Kashmir Police to improve the representation of women in the State

Police.

One battalion would be raised for Jammu region and the other for Kashmir region. 60%

of posts will be reserved for women of 10 border districts: Jammu, Samba, Kathua,

Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Kargil and Leh.

This will offer direct employment to more than two thousand (2014) women in Jammu

and Kashmir.

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The recruitment process will be carried out by the Jammu and Kashmir Government

within one year.

The one-time fund needed for Buildings, Mobility, Arms and Ammunition, etc. is

estimated as Rs. 105 crore for creating these two women Battalions of J&K Police.

This amount would be borne by the Indian Government and the recurring expenses like

salary, etc. will be borne by the Jammu and Kashmir State Government.

This initiative was announced by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit

to Jammu Kashmir on 7 and 8th June 2018.

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Banking & Economy

RBI Releases Draft Guidelines to Modify Loan System for Large Borrowers

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ruled out draft guidelines on Loan System for

Delivery of Bank Credit to improve credit discipline among larger borrowers enjoying

working capital facility from the banking system.

The draft stipulates a minimum level of ‘loan component’ of 40 percent for borrowers

having aggregate fund based working capital limit of Rs 150 crore and above from the

banking system effective from October 1, 2018.

The 40 per cent loan component will be revised to 60 per cent, with effect from April 1,

2019.

The undrawn portion of cash credit/ overdraft limits sanctioned to large borrowers,

irrespective of whether unconditionally cancellable or not, shall attract a credit

conversion factor of 20% from April 1, 2019.

Reliance Industries the only company from India to rank under top-100: Forbes

On June 14, 2018, HDFC has been ranked as the 5th biggest public company globally in

the ‘consumer financial services category’ compiled by Forbes in its 16th annual Forbes

Global 2000 list.

Data from Fact Set Research systems has been taken to screen for the biggest public

companies in four metric: sales, profits, assets and market value.

American Express tops the chart.

India bulls Housing Finance is the only other Indian company (at 13th place) on the list.

HDFC has ranked 7th in 2017 compilation.

Fitch predicts India’s growth forecast to 7.4% for FY’19 and 7.5% for FY20

On June 14, 2018, The Indian GDP has been predicted to grow by 7.4% in FY19 by Fitch.

The Rupee has been among the worst performers in Asian currency.

The higher oil prices as reason for financial risk.

It has earlier predicted GDP growth by 7.3% for FY 2018-19 and For FY20 it is 7.5%.

It forecasted that oil prices will remain at $70 / barre l up from $54.9 a barrel with an

expected drop to $65/ barrel for 2019.

It projected retail inflation to be five per cent by the end of 2018.

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Predicted the global growth forecast at 3.3 per cent in 2018 and 3.2 per cent for 2019.

Expansion will be on-track or slightly better in the world’s two largest economies the US

and China.

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Sports News

Sanjita Chanu, Yuki Bhambri dropped from TOP Scheme: Mission Olympic Cell

On June 14, 2018, Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Sanjita Chanu and

tennis player Yuki Bhambri has been dropped from the Target Olympic Podium (TOP)

Scheme.

The reason behind this is a dope sample test that came out positive for a banned

substance.

Sanjita, who won a gold in women’s 53kg class in the Gold Coast CWG in April.

She had tested positive for an anabolic steroid .

The tests were conducted by World Championships in USA in November 2017.

Yuki Bhambri will not be playing in the Asian Games,

The decisions were taken at the Mission Olympic Cell.

Rohan Bopanna has been sanctioned Rs 26.03 lakh for the use of coach and physio for

12 weeks, starting May 7.

FIFA World Cup 2018 to be held in Russia

The 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup will be held in Russia. Hosts Russia will take on

Saudi Arabia. Russia and Saudi Arabia are placed in Group-A.

The game will take place in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

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Appointments & Resignation

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili resigns after mass protests

On June 14, 2018, Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili has announced his

resignation.

Due to a disagreement with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the ruling party.

Also due to growing popular unrest and discontent over his government’s handling of

the economy.

Kvirikashvili, 50, has been the country’s prime minister since 2015.

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has seven days to nominate a prime minister

Moina Benazir, an officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Services appointed as the first

woman to head 1300 women to Jeddah for Haj

On June 14, 2018, Moina Benazir, an officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service has

been appointed as the first woman Haj coordinator by the Union ministry of minority

affairs.

She would lead a team of 1300 women to perform Haj without their male partners.

The team will be travelling to Jeddah.

The team will have additional 4-5 male coordinators alongside Moina Benazir.

In 2017, the Centre for the first time decided to allow women pilgrims over the age of

45 to undertake the pilgrimage in groups of at least four without any male companions.

Cognizant appoints CEO D’Souza as vice-chairman

Cognizant CEO Francisco D’Souza has been appointed as the vice-chairman of the

company. He would continue to perform his current role as CEO.

“Cognizant has become one of the world’s leading technology services companies based

on a unique ‘client-first’ culture.

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Science and Technology

Kalinga and Krishnan: Two frog species discovered in Eastern and Western Ghats

Two new species of cricket frogs named Kalinga and Krishnan have been discovered in

the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats recently.

The new frog species discovered in Eastern Ghats is named as Kalinga. It is spotted in

the hilly regions. The other species has been named Krishnan. It was so far found only

near Jog Falls, in Shimoga district of Karnataka.

The discovery was made by researchers from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Zoological

Survey of India (ZSI) and North Orissa University (NOU).

The findings have been listed in the records of the Zoological Survey of India.

The Kalinga species was spotted in the hills extending from Odisha, north coastal Andhra

Pradesh up to river Godavari.

It has been named after the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. The other species from

Karnataka has been named after eminent biologist, late Dr K Subrammaniasastri

Krishnan.

106th Indian Science Congress to Be Held in LPU

The 106th edition of the “Indian Science Congress” will be inaugurated by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi at Lovely Professional University from January 3 to 7, 2019.

The theme for the five-day science congress is ‘Future India: Science & Technology’.

About 15,000 delegates, including 300 top scientists and Nobel Laureates from across

world are expected to attend the world’s biggest science congress.

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Obtiuaries

Former Saurashtra cricketer Mulubha Jadeja dead

On 12th June 2018, Former Saurashtra batsman Mulubha Jadeja passed away at his

residence due to age related ailments in Rajkot.

Mulubha Jadeja was 88 years old. He was a right-handed batsman. He represented

Saurashtra and Railways from 1945 to 1964.

He had played 31 first-class matches and scored 1,373 runs with an average of 26.92.

Shahzahan Bachchu, the prominent writer and publisher has passed away

On 11th June 2018, Shahzahan Bachchu, a Bangladeshi writer and publisher was pulled

out of a shop and shot dead by unidentified attackers in Kakaldi village of Munshiganj

district in Bangladesh.

Shahzahan Bachchu was 60 years old. He owned a publishing house named ‘Bishaka

Prokashoni’. The publishing house was known for publishing poetry.

No group has claimed responsibility for his murder. He had earlier received threats from

extremist groups due to his outspoken nature and his speech about secularism.

He was a former district general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh.