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Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 11 JULY 2019
::NATIONAL::
Cabinet approves Transgender protection of rights bill 2019
- The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi has
approved the proposal to introduce The Transgender Persons (Protection of
Rights) Bill, 2019. The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing Session of
Parliament.
- The Bill provides a mechanism for their social, economic and
educational empowerment.
- The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons,
mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalized
section and bring them into the mainstream of society. This will lead to
inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of
the society.
Centre creates new Indian nuclear insurance pool
- The Government has created an Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP)
on 12th June, 2015. M/s. General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC-Re),
along with several other Indian Insurance Companies, have launched the
Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) with a capacity of ₹1500 crore to
provide insurance to cover the liability as prescribed under Civil Liability
for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010.
- This has addressed issues related to Civil Liability for Nuclear
Damage (CLND) Act and had facilitated commencement of work in setting up new
nuclear power projects.
- The present nuclear power capacity is 6780 MW comprising of 22
reactors. There are 9 reactors with a capacity of 6700 MW (including 500 MW
PFBR being implemented by BHAVINI) under construction.
- The Government in 2017 has also accorded administrative approval
and financial sanction of 12 nuclear power plants totalling to a capacity of
9000 MW. On their progressive completion, the installed nuclear capacity is
expected to reach 8180 MW by 2020 and 22480 MW by 2031.
::ECONOMY::
Finance ministry clarifies on different GDP rates in Budget & economic
survey
- Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman on Wednesday clarified that the
Economic Survey and the Union Budget project different rates of nominal GDP
growth for 2019-20 because they use different base figures. However, she
added that the two rates were consistent with each other.
- While the Union Budget presented on July 5 projected a nominal GDP
growth of 12% for financial year 2019-20, the Economic Survey pegged this
figure at 11%. Opposition leaders in the LokSabha highlighted this
discrepancy and demanded why there were so many different numbers being
issued by the government.
- The Opposition also walked out of the lower House during
Ms.Sitharaman’s reply to the concerns over the Budget, protesting the
Budget’s announcement of a hike in the duties and cess rates on petrol and
diesel.
- While the Union Budget presented on July 5 projected a nominal GDP
growth of 12% for financial year 2019-20, the Economic Survey pegged this
figure at 11%. Opposition leaders in the LokSabha highlighted this
discrepancy and demanded why there were so many different numbers being
issued by the government
- The Opposition also walked out of the lower House during
Ms.Sitharaman’s reply to the concerns over the Budget, protesting the
Budget’s announcement of a hike in the duties and cess rates on petrol and
diesel.
‘Study in India’ programme to encourage flow of inbound international
students
- To facilitate Internationalization of Higher Education in India, a
Programme viz. ‘Study in India’ is under implementation with the objectives
to make India a preferred education destination/hub for foreign students.
- The programme focuses on attracting International students from
select 30 plus countries across South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa.
- The programme envisages participation of select reputed Indian
institutes/universities by way of offering seats for the International
students at affordable rates, along with fee waivers to meritorious foreign
students ranging from 100% to 25%.
- With the increase in number of foreign students, the global
ranking of the Indian Higher Educational institutions will improve. The
domestic students shall be exposed to a more diverse peer group and also get
greater International exposure culminating in enhanced interest of Indian
students to study in the country.
::INTERNATIONAL::
India pushes UNSC to focus attention on terror networks
- In a veiled attack on Pakistan, India has told the UN Security
Council that Dawood Ibrahim's illegitimate activities from a safe haven pose
a real danger, as New Delhi called for a focussed attention to address the
threats by the D-Company, the JeM and the LeT.
- India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Syed
Akbaruddin said on Tuesday that terrorist organisations are increasingly
involved in lucrative criminal activities such as trading in natural
resources and human trafficking to raise funds.
- He was speaking at the Security Council debate on 'Threats to
International Peace and Security: Linkages between International Terrorism
and Organised Crime'.
::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::
Indian air force to adopt ASRAAM missile
- The Indian Air Force is looking to adopt a new European visual
range air to air missile across its fighter fleet.
- The Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile of European
missile-maker MBDA has been approved for fitting on Jaguar jets. The IAF was
looking to integrating it on the Su-30MKIs and the indigenous Light Combat
Aircraft as well, defence sources said.
- It would be the first over-the-wing launched missile in the IAF
inventory. All missiles are now fired from under the wing.
- The missile was shortlisted through a tender and MBDA is working
with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on the integration. After the initial
trials, further modifications would be done by HAL.
- “HAL is in talks with MDBA for integrating the missile on the LCA
and the Su-30MKI as well. It will be taken up after the Jaguar integration,”
the source added.
- ASRAAM is widely used as a Within Visual Range (WVR) air dominance
missile with a range of over 25km.