Important Current Affairs 20th October 2017

Important Current Affairs 20th October 2017

Current Affairs 20th October 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

PM visits Kedarnath, lays Foundation Stone for infrastructure projects

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, visited Kedarnath today. 
●    He offered prayers at the Kedarnath Temple, and laid the Foundation Stone for five infrastructure and development projects.
●    These include the development of retaining wall and ghat on the Mandakini River; development of retaining wall and ghat on Saraswati River; construction of main approach to Kedarnath Temple; development of Shankaracharya Kutir and Shankaracharya Museum; and development of houses for Kedarnath Purohits. 
●    The Prime Minister was briefed on the Kedarpur Reconstruction Project.
●    Addressing a gathering, the Prime Minister said he was happy to be in Kedarnath, a day after Diwali. 
●    He said that the start of a New Year is being celebrated in Gujarat today, and conveyed his greetings to everyone around the world.
●    Noting that the service of the people is the service of God, the Prime Minister pledged to devote himself fully to realising the dream of a developed India, by the time we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022. 
●    Recalling the natural calamity of 2013, the Prime Minister said that as Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had come to do all that he could for the victims; and offered support from the State of Gujarat for the reconstruction effort.

Determination of Ceiling Prices of Drugs

The Government has been examining the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO) with a view to enhancing the accessibility and affordability of essential medicines at reasonable prices to the poor and needy while providing sufficient opportunity for innovation and competition to support the growth of the Pharmaceutical Industry. 
●    The Government has been actively interacting with the Industry and other stakeholders on these issues. 
●    Any impression regarding tightening of price control is both misleading and misplaced.
●    Under the provisions of DPCO, the prices of only those medicines  are fixed which are in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), numbering about 850 against more than 6,000 medicines available in the market of various strengths and dosages.  
●    This constitutes approximately 17% of the total pharmaceuticals market, in value terms.  
●    There is an Expert Committee which continuously evaluates the list of Essential Medicines.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs issues Notification for commencement of Section 247 of the Companies Act, 2013 relating to Valuation by Registered Valuers 

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has issued Notification for commencement of Section 247 of the Companies Act, 2013 [Valuation by Registered Valuers] with effect from 18th October, 2017. 
●    The Company's (Registered Valuers and Valuation) Rules, 2017 (Rules), which have been finalized after public consultation and detailed deliberations with stakeholders have also been issued simultaneously.
●    The Rules, inter alia, provide for Registration of Valuers for conduct of valuation under the Companies Act, 2013. 
●    The valuers, who may be individuals or partnership entities or companies, would be required to be registered with the authority specified by the Central Government. 
●    The Rules provide for registration of different category of valuers and lay down the requirements on their eligibility, qualifications and experience. 
●    The Registered Valuers are also required to be members of the Registered Valuers Organisations (RVOs), recognised by the authority under the Rules.  

Indra-2017 started

In a glittering opening ceremony at Vladivostok, Russia this morning Indian Task Force Commander Maj Gen ND Prasad and Chief of Staff, Eastern Military District of the Russian Federation Lt Gen Solomatin declared the tri-service Exercise INDRA 2017 open. 
●    The opening ceremony witnessed Maj Gen ND Prasad and Lt Gen Solomatin inspecting the smartly turned out contingents, which was followed by a march past by the tri-service contingents of both sides. 
●    The opening ceremony also witnessed an astounding display of traditional martial arts and folk dances by the Indian troops and a flypast by four fighter aircraft of Russian Federation Air Force. 
●    In his opening address, Maj Gen ND Prasad, the Indian Task Force Commander said that the initiative taken for the first ever tri-service exercise between both countries reflects the vibrancy of the continued Indo-Russian strategic partnership and that with the rich operational experience of both Russian and Indian armies in counter insurgency operations, both sides will gain immensely from each other and further develop their capabilities. 
●    Lt Gen Solomatin, Chief of Staff, Eastern Military District of the Russian Federation stated that the tri-service exercise will further strengthen the relationship between the two defence forces and lead to enhanced mutual cooperation between the two great countries. 
●    Lt Gen JS Negi, leader of the tri-services Observer delegation, during his media interaction, said that the conduct of the first ever tri-service exercise between the two countries is a significant step in mutual cooperation and marks an important milestone in the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Depression over coastal Odisha, warning issued

The depression over coastal Odisha moved northward and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of today, the October 20, 2017 over coastal Odisha near Latitude 20.8º N and longitude 86.5º E about 25Kms west of Chandbali. 
●    The system would move nearly northwards for some time and then north-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a well marked low pressure area during next 24 hrs.
●    Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over coastal Odisha and isolated heavy rainfall over interior Odisha during next 24 hours.
●    Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Gangetic West Bengal during next 24 hours and isolated heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalayan west Bengal during next 48 hrs.
●    Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy rainfall likely over east Jharkhand, Mizoram & Tripura during next 24 hrs and over Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur during next 48 hrs.
●    Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over west Assam and Meghalaya and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over remaining parts of Assam during next 48 hrs.

Current Affairs 20th October 2017: DAY AND DAYS

Police Commemoration Day to be observed tomorrow 

The Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21st every year. 
●    The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh will attend the Police Commemoration Day Parade at the Police Memorial Ground here tomorrow. 
●    On the occasion, he will also lay wreath and pay homage at the Police Memorial.
●    The day commemorates the sacrifices of ten policemen while defending our borders with China in 1959. 
●    Indian Police personnel were responsible for manning the 2,500 mile long border of India with Tibet until the autumn of 1959.
●    On October 20, 1959, three reconnaissance parties were launched from Hot Springs in North Eastern Ladakh in preparation for further movement of an Indian expedition which was on its way to Lanak La. 
●    While members of two parties returned to Hot Springs by the afternoon of that day, the third one comprising of two Police Constables and a Porter did not return. 
●    All available personnel were mobilized early next morning in search of the missing personnel. 
●    A party of about 20 Police personnel led by Shri Karam Singh, DCIO proceeded ahead on horseback, while other followed on foot in three Sections.
●    At about mid day, Chinese Army personnel were seen on a hillock who opened fire and threw grenades at the party led by Shri Karam Singh.