Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 12 October 2020

::NATIONAL::

A citizens’ committee, including former Supreme Court and High Court judges, has been constituted to inquire into the February communal riots in Delhi.
The committee will inquire into the role of the State machinery in restoring order and the part played by certain sections of the media to fan the flames through fake news before and after the violence that broke out following protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
It was formed on the invitation of the Constitutional Conduct Group, comprising distinguished former civil servants who want an impartial probe into the events which led to the communal riots in the national capital.
“Considering the horrific nature of the riots in north-east Delhi in February 2020, the scale of violence, the loss of lives and the resulting communal divide between communities, we felt that an expert body should carry out a thorough examination of what transpired before, during and after the riots. This has become even more necessary as the investigation by the Delhi Police has evoked extensive critical commentary in recent times,” a statement from the Group on Sunday said.

Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO is all set to open its facilities for the private sector.
Referring to some of the path-breaking historic reforms in the Department of Space under the leadership of Prime Minister NarendraModi, Dr Singh said, possibly for the first time in the history of Independent India, future projects for planetary exploration and outer space travel will be open for the private sector.
The Minister said that Indian private sector will be a co-traveller in India's Space Sector journey.He said, private companies will be provided a level playing field in satellite launches and space based activities.
He said, with the creation of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, IN-SPACe, there will be a mechanism in place and the private sector will be allowed to use ISRO’s facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities.

In a bid to improve its functioning, the Reserve Bank has decided to move to the Next Generation Treasury Application (NGTA) for managing the country's foreign exchange and gold reserves.
The NGTA, according to the RBI, would be a web-based application providing scalability, maneuverability and flexibility to introduce new products and securities, besides supporting multi-currency transactions and settlements.
India's foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 3.618 billion to reach a life-time high of USD 545.638 billion in the week ended October 2, 2020.The gold reserves were up by USD 486 million in the reporting week to USD 36.486 billion.

Railway Minister PiyushGoyal met the Automobile Industry leaders to give a boost to Automobile loading through Railways. During the meeting representatives of the Automobile Industry lauded the initiative and committed to work in partnership with Indian Railways to facilitate transportation of automobiles.
The Ministry of Railways, in a statement, said that Indian Railways is attaining new heights in transportation of automobiles. It said, the total loading of automobiles through Railway was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, which has increased to 1,595 rakes in 2019-20.
It said, Railways is aiming to achieve a modal share of 20 per cent by the end of 2021-22 and a modal share of 30 per cent by 2023-24.

Bangladesh is expected to be the focus of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy when Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun arrives in Dhaka for a visit from October 14 to 16.
The visit by the senior American official is the first such attempt by the U.S. administration to engage Dhaka directly ever since Beijing undertook several proactive measures to help the South Asian country deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Deputy Secretary’s engagement in Bangladesh will focus on advancing our common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all, U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation on COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, and sustainable economic development,” the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka said in a statement announcing Mr.Biegun’s visit.

Environment Minister PrakashJavadekar today said that all eight beaches recommended by the Government has got the coveted International Blueflag Certification.
In a tweet, Mr Javadekar said, its a proud moment for India.He said, it is an outstanding feat, as no Blueflag nation has ever been awarded for 8 beaches in a single attempt.
The beaches which got International Blueflag Certification are Shivrajpur beach in Dwarka Gujarat, Ghoghla beach in Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden Beach in Odisha and Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In Tennis, Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win his 13th French Open and equal Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles last night. For world number one Djokovic, the defeat ended his hopes of an 18th Slam and of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors twice.
World number two Nadal claimed his 100th match win at Roland Garros against just two defeats since his 2005 debut. The spaniard, the oldest champion in Paris since Andres Gimeno in 1972, claimed the title without dropping a set.