Important Current Affairs 12th September 2018 English

Important Current Affairs 11th September 2018               

                                                         (National News)
Apsara – U Reactor Becomes Operational at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay
 
Apsara, the first research reactor in Asia that worked nearly five decades before shutting down in 2009, is now operational as 'Apsara-U' on Trombay campus of Maharashtra.
"Nearly sixty-two years after Apsara came into existence, a swimming pool type research reactor "Apsara-upgraded", of higher capacity was born at Trombay on September 10," 
About as Apsara-U
According to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Apsara is a light water swimming pool-type reactor with a maximum power output of one megawatt thermal (MWT) and is utilized for various experiments, including neutron activation analysis, radiation damage studies, forensic research, neutron radiography, and shielding experiments.
The reactor can also be used for research and production of radioisotopes for medical application and would also be extensively used for research in nuclear physics, material science and radiation shielding.
This development helped the Indian scientists and engineers to build complex facilities for healthcare, science education and research.

Launch of a web portal “Rail Sahyog”
 
The Minister of Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal launched a web portal www.railsahyog.in . The web portal will provide a platform for the Corporates and PSUs to contribute to creation of amenities at/near Railway Stations through Corporate Social Responsibility funds. 
Rail Sahyog:
This portal will provide an opportunity for Industry/ Companies/ Associations to collaborate with Railways. This portal will not only be beneficial for passengers but also for neighborhood of Railway vicinity.” Salient feature of this portal is its simplicity & transparency.

Union Agriculture Minister releases a profile booklet titled ‘NCDC- Assisting Cooperative. Always!’
 
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh released a booklet titled ‘NCDC-Assisting Cooperatives. Always!’ highlighting the role and activities assisted by National Cooperative Development Corporation in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
NCDC is the most preferred financial institution in the world of cooperatives and aligning itself with the Mission of New India 2022, NCDC has embarked on Sahakar 22, a Mission for Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022.
National Cooperative Development Corporation  
NCDC is a statutory Corporation set up under an Act of Parliament on 13th March 1963.
 Aims and Objectives of NCDC
The objectives of NCDC are planning and promoting programmes for production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock and certain other notified commodities and services on cooperative principles and for matters concerned therewith or incidental thereto.

Notification for bringing the HIV/AIDS Act, 2017 in force
 
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a notification for bringing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 in force from 10th September, 2018. 
The Act, safeguards the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV. The provisions of the Act address HIV-related discrimination, strengthen the existing programme by bringing in legal accountability, and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances.
What this Act seeks?
The Act seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS. The Act lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive persons and those living with them is prohibited. 

These include the denial, termination, discontinuation or unfair treatment with regard to:
(i)    Employment, 
(ii)    Educational establishments, 
(iii)    Health care services,
(iv)    Residing or renting property, 
(v)    Standing for public or private office, and 
(vi)    Provision of insurance (unless based on actuarial studies)

PM Narendra Modi announces remuneration hike for ASHA, Anganwadi workers
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11, 2018 announced an increase in remuneration for those involved with the government’s Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) scheme and Anganwadi scheme. 
The announcement, which will be effective from next month, was made by the Prime Minister during his video bridge interaction with lakhs of ASHA, Anganwadi and auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) workers.
Significance

The hike in the remuneration has been a long-standing demand by ASHA and Anganwadi workers. They had also participated in the farmers’ protest in Delhi this month in demand of the same.

Key Highlights
The Prime Minister during his interaction announced that the Union Government would be doubling the routine incentives given to the ASHA workers. 
In addition, he announced that all ASHA workers and their helpers would be provided free insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana.
The prime minister also announced a significant increase in the honorarium given to the Anganwadi workers. 
With the development, those receiving Rs 3000 so far, would now receive Rs 4500 and those receiving Rs 2200 would now get Rs 3500. 
The honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has also been increased from Rs 1500 to Rs 2250.

The Anganwadi workers and helpers using techniques such as Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) would be getting additional incentives based on their performance, ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 500.

Prohibition and restriction of manufacture, sale and distribution of Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs)
 
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  announced prohibiting the manufacture for sale or distribution for human use of 328 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) drugs with immediate effect.
It has also restricted the manufacture, sale or distribution of six FDCs subject to certain conditions, the Ministry said in a statement. FDCs are two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio into a single dosage form.
Background:
The Centre, in March 2016, had prohibited the manufacture for sale and distribution of 349 FDCs but this was contested by the affected manufacturers in High Courts and the Supreme Court.
Complying with the December 2017 Supreme Court judgment, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) examined the matter and, in its report to the Centre, recommended prohibition of the FDCs saying there was no therapeutic justification for the ingredients contained in them and that these FDCs may involve risk to human beings.
Earlier, an expert committee appointed by the Centre too had made similar observations.
Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs)
Combination products, also known as fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs), are combinations of two or more active drugs in a single dosage form. 

                                                       (International News)
TCIL, MEA sign MOU for pan Africa e-Network project
 
Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL) signed an agreement with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for the implementation of e-VBAB (e-Vidya Bharati and e-Aarogya Bharati) Network Project for a total value of Rs. 865 Crores.
The e-VBAB Project is fully funded by MEA, GoI and is envisaged to be implemented in 9 months followed by 5 years of operations and maintenance. Indian Education (Vidya Bharati) and Indian Medical services for human wellbeing (Aarogya Bharati) under the flagship e-VBAB Network Project of MEA, is a step towards capacity building in the field of education and medical science for all the 54 African Nations.
The project aims to provide an opportunity for local employment and opens the door for access to education and medical expertise from India to African students, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. It will also give an opportunity for Global acceptance of Indian University Education system and Indian medical Health services.
Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL)
TCIL, a pioneering Public Sector ICT company, under Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India, have to their credit, successful execution of many large Telecom projects in India and abroad. They are well accepted in Africa, Middle East and South East Asia, for their skills in Telecom and IT. They have done number of infrastructure Projects of Fiber, ICT and Microwave in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Algeria.

India focus country in Izmir International Trade Show
 
The ‘Source India’ Pavilion was inaugurated by Sanjay Bhattacharyya, India’s Ambassador to Ankara, Turkey. 
The Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) led a75-member Indian delegation for the ongoing 87th Izmir International Trade Show in Turkey.
What is Source India?
SOURCE INDIA is a global trade show cum BSM (Buyer Seller Meet) designed by Department of Commerce, Government of India & Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) for promoting Indian Exports in Most Potential International Markets in most efficient and economical manner. Source India has a focused approach to reach potential buyers which help Indian businesses to penetrate in new markets in the world in a most effective way. 
The platform is based on intense in-house research, deep knowledge base, effective research and resource capabilities which helps businesses to find right products and sectors around the world. It is a great opportunity to meet, connect and build rapport with prospects and customers in a most economical way.