Important Current Affairs 22nd November 2017

Important Current Affairs 22nd November 2017

Current Affairs 22nd November 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Cabinet approves agreement between India and Philippines on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing and ratifying of an Agreement between India and Philippines on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. 
●    The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences. 
●    The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.
●    This Agreement shall enter into force after the necessary national legal requirements for entry into force of this Agreement have been fulfilled by both the countries. 
●    The Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries. 
●    It would help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade. 
●    The draft text of the proposed Agreement has been finalized with the concurrence of the two Customs Administrations. 

Cabinet approves signing of India - Russia Agreement on cooperation in combating terrorism and organized crime 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing an Agreement on Cooperation between India and Russia in the field of combating all forms of terrorism and organized crime. 
●    The Agreement is proposed to be signed during the upcoming visit of Indian Delegation, led by Home Minister, to Russia from 27-29 November, 2017. 
●    India and Russia have a long history of close cooperation in international fora on matters of mutual interest. 
●    With the rise in terrorism and organized crime across the world, it is imperative for countries to work together to combat all forms of terrorism. 
●    The proposed Agreement, which will replace the Agreement of October, 1993, is a step towards consolidating the benefits accrued in the field of security and seeks to jointly fight the new and evolving risks and threats. 
●    The Agreement would reinforce the relationship between India and Russia through exchange and sharing of information, expertise, best practices and would help in curbing terrorism and enhancing, security in the region.

Cabinet approves revised salaries, gratuity, allowances and pension for the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the revision in the salaries, gratuity, allowances, pension etc. of the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts and retired Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts. 
●    It follows the implementation of recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission in respect of Civil Servants. 
●    The approval will pave the way for necessary amendments in the two laws viz. Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958 and High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, which govern the salaries of Chief Justice of India (CJI), Judges of Supreme Court of India, Chief Justices and all Judges of High Courts. 
●    The increase in the salary and allowances etc. will benefit 31 Judges of Supreme Court of India (including the CJI) and 1079 Judges(including the Chief Justices) of High Courts. 
●    Besides, approximately 2500 retired Judges will also be benefited on account of revision of pension/gratuity etc. 
●    Arrears on account of revised salaries, gratuity, pension and family pension w.e.f 01.01.2016 will be paid as one time lump sum payment.
●    Salaries, gratuity, pension, allowances etc. in respect of Judges of Supreme Court are governed by the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958. 
●    Salaries etc. of Judges of High Courts are governed by High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954. 

Cabinet approves setting up of the 15th Finance Commission 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the setting up of the 15th Finance Commission. Under Article 280 (1) of the Constitution,it is a Constitutional obligation. 
●    The Terms of Reference for the 15th Finance Commission will be notified in due course of time. 
●    In keeping with this requirement, the practice has generally been to set up next Finance Commission within five years of the date of setting up of the previous Finance Commission. 
●    Fourteen (14) Finance Commissions have been constituted in the past. 
●    The 14th Finance Commission was set up on 02.01.2013 to make recommendations covering the period of five years commencing on 1st April, 2015. 
●    The Commission submitted its Report on 15th December, 2014. 
●    The recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission are valid upto the financial year 2019-20. 

Ram Vilas Paswan chairs the first meeting of the Governing Council of Bureau of Indian Standard 

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said that services to consumers should be of standard level. 
●    Shri Paswan said that all efforts should be made to provide facilities to consumers.
●    Shri Paswan said that BIS must ensure to use world’s best technology at their laboratories to provide international standards. 
●    Shri Paswan stated it while chairing the first meeting of the Governing Council of Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), in New Delhi today. 
●    It was the first meeting of the Governing Council after enforcement of the new BIS Act 2016. 
●    Shri Paswan mentioned that the new BIS Act passed by the Parliament has been implemented with effect from 12 October 2017. 
●    This act has provisions for safeguarding the interests of consumers. 
●    The new Act casts an obligation not only on manufacturers but also on the players in the distribution chain regarding the quality of products.  

Consultative Workshop on New National Policy on Biofuels and Pradhan Mantri Ji- Van Yojana 

A consultative workshop on New National Policy on Biofuels & Pradhan Mantri Ji- Van Yojana (VGF for 2nd Generation Ethanol Bio Refineries) was organised here today by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for inviting suggestions for drafting a suitable roadmap for Biofuels in India. 
●    The workshop was organised as the government is promoting Biofuels with an objective to reduce dependency on import of crude oil, savings in foreign exchange, provide better remuneration for the farmers and address growing environmental concerns in the light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Commitment at COP 21. 
●    During the day long workshop 5 Working Groups on 1-G Ethanol, 2-G Ethanol, Biodiesel, Municipal Solid Wastes to Fuel & Bio-CNG comprising of all the stakeholders (producers, bankers and buyers) deliberated issues related to their segment in detail and came up with many constructive suggestions and inputs. 
●    Minister of Petroleum and natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in his speech said that 1-G and 2-G Ethanol, Biodiesel, MSW to Fuel and Bio-CNG together with Methanol(DME) have huge potential in augmenting economic growth, generating employment and doubling farmers’ income. 
●    He said this will be instrumental in achieving the target of 10% import reduction by 2022 set by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. 

Smt. Anupriya Patel inaugurates the National Biomaterial Centre 

Smt. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State (HFW) today inaugurated the National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank) at the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO). 
●    The main thrust & objective of this centre is to fill up the gap between ‘demand’ and ‘supply’ as well as ‘quality assurance’ in the availability of various tissues.
●    Speaking at the function, Smt Anupriya Patel stated that it is important to understand that in India it is mainly the living donors who are donating organs and only about 23% of the organ transplant is being done with organs obtained from the cadavers. 
●    “There is a need to promote cadaver or deceased organ donation rather than relying on living donors in order to avoid the risk of commercial trading of organs and also to avoid the inherent risk to the health of the living donor,” Smt Anupriya Patel added.
●    Addressing the participants, Smt Anupriya Patel further stated that it’s high time we understand, and also spread awareness in the community at large, that a living person can save the life of only one person but a deceased or cadaver organ donor can save up to 9 lives by donating vital organs. 
●    “Apart from promoting organ donation it is also important to improve the infrastructure and capacity of government hospitals to undertake transplantation so that the poor and needy could benefit,” she said.

Current Affairs 22nd November 2017: DEFENCE

Brahmos Flight test from IAF’s Su-30MKI fighter aircraft 

Brahmos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile created history on 22nd Nov 2017 after it was successfully flight-tested first time from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea based target in the Bay of Bengal. 
●    The missile was gravity dropped from the Su-30 from fuselage, and the two stage missile’s engine fired up and straightway propelled towards the intended target at the sea in Bay of Bengal.
●    The successful maiden test firing of Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF’s air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges. 
●    Brahmos ALCM weighing 2.5 ton is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft modified by HAL to carry weapons. 
●    Brahmos, the world-class weapon with multi-platform, multi-mission role is now capable of being launched from Land, Sea and Air, completing the tactical cruise missile triad for India. 
●    Brahmos is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia.